Is It A Fact That MJ Is The Greatest NBA Player Ever?

[MAKAVELI THE DON]

Can It Be A Poven Fact That MJ Is The Greatest NBA Player Ever? This has been a pondering question for a long time, and will continue to be. Is Michael Jordan the greatest NBA player of all times?

First thing is, why is he the considered the greatest of all times (on the court not off the court)? Because of he is the most popular and recongized NBA player of all times. When you think about it, it really has been the opinions of people, both fans, players / coaches, & NBA analysists or commentators alike; when it is said tha MJ is the greatest!

I personally think he was the most talented because no one has every done the things he had done on the court? But that's just my opinion! Who am I to say that a Kobe Bryant, a Tracy Macgrady or even a Magic Johnson or a Julius Ervin wasn't or is more talented on the court than Michael? Because that is only my opinion!

I read this article a time, and the writer was saying that it cannot be a proven fact that Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all times. And in a way he is right! Just like Biggie or Tupac, it cannot be a proven fact which of the two is the best rapper of all times; and if we were to judge them by their success, Tupac would clearly win!

With that in mind, if we we're to judge MJ by NBA statistics, he wouldn't come close! His best attribute, which is scoring points... Wilt Chamberland & Karl Malone scored more than MJ! In other statistical categories, such as steals or assists, we know that John Stockton and Magic Johnson (and Mark Jackson 2nd in assists)! And of course 3 Point shooting it's all Reggie! And if we were to judge by accomplishments, we have players who've won more NBA titles (8 or 9 the most) than MJ!

I guess it's a reality that it's a fact that Michael Jordan can't be proven to be the greatest ever, it's only by popularity and our opinions! 20 or 25 Years from now, people might be calling Kobe Bryant or Lebron James (LOL! just an example) the greatest of all times.

But also, the fact is all we have is opinions and opinions really does matter! Fooled you, didn't I? But I do believe MJ is the greatest off all times. But if 20 years from now, & young people then considered Kobe or someone of being the greatest, and he was all time leading scorer in the NBA by then, and I disagreed and said that MJ was better, & someone were to ask me to prove it, I don't think I would be able to?

Just something to think about! Write back & tell me what you think or, just write and say it's an interesting thought!

[Andrew]

It's not something that can be proven conclusively. But I think if you had to name a greatest player, Michael Jordan would have to be a candidate. At the end of the day, it's really a matter of personal opinion. Should number of titles be factored in? Should the era be taken into consideration? Everyone has a different opinion on the questions that must be asked when attempting to determine the greatest in NBA history.

With that in mind, if we we're to judge MJ by NBA statistics, he wouldn't come close! His best attribute, which is scoring points... Wilt Chamberland & Karl Malone scored more than MJ!

You're half-right. Michael Jordan has now scored more points than Wilt Chamberlain (he passed him during the 2002/2003 season. The two players that have scored more points than Michael Jordan are Karl Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. But MJ has a higher scoring average than both of them - had he appeared in as many games as the Mailman or Kareem with his career average, he would have 43000+ points - a clear leader in the total career points column.

In other statistical categories, such as steals or assists, we know that John Stockton and Magic Johnson (and Mark Jackson 2nd in assists)!

But then take into account that Michael Jordan was not a point guard - he's not expected to get 9, 10, 11 assists per game, especially not over the course of his career. On steals: Michael Jordan has a higher average than John Stockton (MJ is also second all-time in steals), so again had he played in as many games as Stockton, his totals would be considerably higher - and superior to Stock's.

Consider also that Jordan has scored the most points in Playoff history, in fewer appearances than the second man in that category (Kareem). MJ actually stacks up against other great players pretty well statistically. Remember, averages are just as significant as totals.

[GloveGuy]

It's all about a matter of opinion. No one is right or wrong. Someone who says that they think MJ is the best has their opinion, and someone who says that Bill Russell has their opinion. Neither of them are right OR wrong. There is no GOAT, in my opinion. It can't be proven unless we were to put MJ back in time and play against the guys from the 60s and 70s. 99% of the world could think that MJ is the best to ever play, but that doesn't make it a fact.

[Nick]

*Puts on helmet and fire fighting suit*

[Jonesy]

hehe, that's what i was thinking. I've had a few heated battles with Benji and Seth over this one and they do raise some valid points as to why other players are better than MJ. Hell Seth almost had me believing John Havilicek (hondo) was better than MJ, almost.

It a good topic and one that never will be fully concluded so like others have said it's best to just leave it up to people's opinions because at the end of the day that's all it boils down too.

[Tuomas]

MJ would beat Bill Russell on One on One 11 to 2.

Is that enough? I think that the best player has to have the ability to play individual and team basketball, whenever needed.

[Stevan]

Hell Seth almost had me believing John Havilicek (hondo) was better than MJ, almost.

LMFAO Well... he did steal the ball...

Nick has he right mind frame, here comes a discussion where the same old things are going to be said until someone blows up. Lets just dig up an old thread and re-read it

[MAKAVELI THE DON]

My mistake, where I said Wilt Chamberland, I meant Kareem Abdul Jabarm, okay people!

MJ's the greatest!

[Shep]

Chamberland

Jabarm

[bballer22]

bak to the topic.. like everyone said there is no catagory to go by to rate the player best ever. Mostly BEST EVER in basketball is someone who can come out at any time of the game and win. That can be said about alot of people, u can go as far as saying the Steve Kerr is the greatest coz even off the bench he comes for 2-3 min and scores like he was on the court of ages. But we wont go that far. Statisticly MJ was the greatest ever considering his position and strengths.

Like Andew said he did not appear in as many game as all the other leaders apeared. The great thing about him was that EVRYONE opn the court, the stands, all over the world who wached the game knew that MJ was going to shoot, score is points, assist, steel, and shoot that finalshot. Yet no one was able to stop him!! I u know that this player is going to score u will do something about it, not with MJ. Not only that but, if u watch games to day and gemes bak then, he would score in ways that cant be explained, in the past 2 season that i had espn on my tv i did not see a shot that was near as close as anything that MJ did. Plus he had Pip with him, a player who pasicly shares his possisio.

Look at Lakers, a C and SG, NJ-PG PF, Spurs PF-who ever u want to put.
His mind was in the right place at the right time, there are now players who have same and batter tallent then him, but their mind is somewehre els!!

[GloveGuy]

MJ would beat Bill Russell on One on One 11 to 2.

Is that enough? I think that the best player has to have the ability to play individual and team basketball, whenever needed.

You can't prove that. Even if you think he could, its not a fact because it's never happened.

[Wall St. Peon]

This will never be proven because 'all-time' or 'ever' hasn't come about...it can't be a fact because it's all simply opinion. Opinions can be supported with facts, but opinions cannot be facts, and saying who the best player of all-time or ever is purely an opinion...that is, until all-time or the NBA ends and someone decides to pick the best player...

I still say Kobe and Tracy will be better than Jordan in terms of everything in a few years...didn't someone laugh at me when I said Kobe and T-Mac could average over 30 for a season because they'll eventually be better than MJ (when someone brought up how many points he averaged)? Well...they both did...

Jordan was the greatest player of his time, ie the late 80's and 90's, but it's no longer his time...the last two years in Washington were all hype with great averages for his age (which shows how good he was in his prime), but he was barely the best player on his team, which isn't saying much. Now it's Kobe and McGrady and Duncan and Garnett's and hopefully Carter's time to shine...how about we just drop these debates for the time being? Let's see what Kobe does for an encore to a wonderful season (save the playoff exit) next year when he'll be even better...let's see what Vince does healthy...let's see what happens to Duncan when his mentor leaves...let's see what happens with Garnett in Minnesota...then let's have this debate...right now it's a waste of forum space and verbal abuse.

[Andrew]

I agree with Shane. It's a debate that's been done to death, without any clear conclusion except that it's a matter of opinion. Let's just skip the flames and the same old points, and talk about some other players.

NOTE: I'm not suggesting we start up those Yinka-Dare-is-the-greatest "discussions" either.

[Colin]

NOTE: I'm not suggesting we start up those Yinka-Dare-is-the-greatest "discussions" either.

Well then how about Darrick Martin or any Knicks rookie from the past 5 years.

[Andrew]

Oh, that should be fine.

[Boyk]

NOTE: I'm not suggesting we start up those Yinka-Dare-is-the-greatest "discussions" either.

Well then how about Darrick Martin or any Knicks rookie from the past 5 years.

heheheheheeheeeheee nice one (Thumbs Up) (i still dont know the damn thumbs up symbol

[Colin]

i still dont know the damn thumbs up symbol

Click "View more Emoticons" and you will find out that a thumbs up is the same as on msn

Code: Select all

(Y)

[benji]

It's all about a matter of opinion. No one is right or wrong. Someone who says that they think MJ is the best has their opinion, and someone who says that Bill Russell has their opinion. Neither of them are right OR wrong. There is no GOAT, in my opinion. It can't be proven unless we were to put MJ back in time and play against the guys from the 60s and 70s. 99% of the world could think that MJ is the best to ever play, but that doesn't make it a fact.

Don't take this the wrong way, but I can't believe you just said that.

MJ would beat Bill Russell on One on One 11 to 2.

Would the game be to twenty-one? Then there's the fact that Russell's bigger, and one of the greatest, if not the greatest, defensive player in the history of the NBA...but...

Is that enough? I think that the best player has to have the ability to play individual and team basketball, whenever needed.

That's somewhat subjective. Duncan has that ability, perhaps more so than any great star in the league, but he's forced to play "individual" basketball because of those who surround him. Same with McGrady, and Kobe early this season.

that MJ was going to shoot, score is points, assist, steel, and shoot that finalshot. Yet no one was able to stop him!! I u know that this player is going to score u will do something about it, not with MJ.

Of course, there's also the line of thought that anyone in the NBA can score, you can't shut people down. There are hundreds of quotes by players and great defensive ones that state you can't stop an NBA player from scoring, you can only make them work for that basket. If they want to score and work harder than the defender they will. Regardless of talent and skill. Because these are the greatest players in the world.

Well then how about Darrick Martin

We need a CBA Talk section...to talk about the greatest 2003 CBA Finals MVP ever...

[Nick]

My god, that's the first time i've seen Ben use a smile emotion.

[Boyk]

Quote:
"We're going to win game five and then we're going to San Antonio and steal one there. Then we're going to have a parade here," said Dikembe Mutombo.

I'm sure Mutombo can get together with Tracy McGrady after the season and talk about his championship while Tracy talks about what the second round feels like.

HAHHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA good stuff mate

[.]

hehehe...

[LeBron James]

thats a true fact that mj is the greatest player on nba and on earth.maybe lebron is next mj?

[Bang]

Yea, statistically, Wilt seems very impressive.
Yet even though he was so impressive...he didn't win that many championships, did he?
He won with Lakers..with Mr. Clutch and Baylor..jeesh?!!
You need to look beyond stats in defining "the best player ever".
You play in the NBA for the ring, not for the 100ppg or something.
Also, Bill Russell was able to "control" or limit Chamberlain. Was there anyone who could do that to Jordan? NO!
Also, Jordan played in an era with a lot more better players, in my opinion.
Drexler, Magic, Isaiah Thomas, Bird, Ewing, and others. And he was able to win every one of them. He won Karl Malone and Stockton, BOTH arguably belong on the top 10 EVER. They never won a ring due to Jordan. Jordan was just that good. I believe that if Chamberlain lived in the Jordan era, he would play about as well as Karl Malone. Chamberlain had a rival, Russell. Bird had Magic. Jordan? none. He was superior to EVERYONE.

[GloveGuy]

Don't take this the wrong way, but I can't believe you just said that.

Haha, yeah I remember those times. But I understand now, though I still think he's the greatest, I've learned to accept the minorities opinion.

[Power And Proud]

People will take rebounding in mind too, when they compare the greats. Bob Costas said Wilt may of been the greatest because he had 11 rebounding titles, 1 assists, led the league in FG % 9 times, and they didn't even keep blocks as an official stat back then. But then Isiah Thomas got right back at him by saying Wilt was 7'1, and Michael Jordan is 6'6.