Can a player be considered an all time great at their position if they had no contemporary or equally great rival in their era?

[Po pimp]

LMAO

HE LITERALLY FACED CLYDE IN THE FINALS
AND YOU GOT THE NERVE
TO ACT LIKE YOU DIDNT KNOW THIS.

GUARDED 6'10 MAGIC FOR 90%
OF THE 91 FINALS TOO.


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Since when is Magic 6’10”? He was always listed as 6’9” and so was Bird, but Bird was actually taller.