How to determine the NBA GOAT

[DPresidential]

First. Let me say off top that I repsect your decision.

Second. We are choosing both. We have to stop MJ as an individual player YES, but basketball is still 5 on 5. So no matter what he's going to have 4 teammates to pass the ball to...and within that environment we have no idea how to beat an MJ led team.

Early in his career his teams were simply out-talented. Then the Pistons had to flat out physically attack the man.

After that...we don't know WHAT his weakness is

Do you let him go off and try to stop everybody else? Portland tried and failed.

Do you try to match his scoring output and star power and hope for the best? Phoenix tried and failed.

Do you stop MJ at all costs and whatever else happens happens? Seattle tried and he ate them up without his usual ridiculous finals scoring output.

Do you play your game MJ be damned? Attack his teams weakness (the interior) and try to make him make up for it? Utah got 2 cracks at it and BOTH times the man basically refused to be beaten.

So what do you do????

Knowing how these discussions get, I appreciate your reply.

I'll say this...

Having MJ, I'll know that I can match the competition point for point.

Having LeBron, I'll be a little less confident about matching point for point but I'll be confident as hell that no matter who the competition, LeBron will be a dog on defense against him.

 

[El Coupeacabra]

Breh, Jordan is at worst #2, and that's still fukking amazing, but please don't underestimate the greatness of his Bulls teams complimenting him and his lack of competition aiding him.

Put this in perspective: Jordan retired and his team went to the ECF. LeBron's "Super Team" is 4-23 in 3 years when he sits.

The best team Jordan ever beat was Shaq and Penny when they were in their 4th and 3rd years in the league respectively. Then they split up. LeBron beat a 73-9 team after being down 3-1.

I feel you. But.

MJ beat everybody he came across. EVERYBODY. Legends, Hall of Famers, All-Stars, down to one year wonders...we didn't get to see him play Hakeem and Duncan was just a BIT too late but other than that who didn't he go heads up with?

The Boston Celtics will probably make the ECF's this year. They're nothing in the scope of all time teams.

The Bulls pulled off 2 separate 3 Peats.

That's a MASSIVE difference. One fukking player turned a ECF team into an undefeated dynasty. Think about that. You're admitting in your post how great his impact was.

And yes. What Bron pulled off against my W's was legendary () But he just isn't on that level of consistency that MJ was.

 

[MyApps]

Its as simple as this: if jordan is taken #1 overall, would Jordan's team be better than the next 5 choices if Kobe is on the other team??

The skill and talent difference between Kobe and Jordan is slight. So the other 4 choices would out-talent choices 7-10.

Thats why the most dominant (offensively and defensively) big should be chosen 1st. There needs to be major talent disparity between choices 1 and 2 to makeup for losing the next 5 picks.

 

[William F. Russell]

I'll always build around a dominant Big Man first. PG second.

They will improve your team much faster than a scorer

Smart man.

 

[MyApps]

Hell, someone could choose among the superstars that are the most unique because they would totally change how they are defended. That would be a good strategy in this case.

Shaq, Hakeem, Lebron, Curry, etc.