what do you look at in order to determine who is the best of all time? championships? all-time stats? something else?
career stats, respect when they played (all-star games, mvp's,etc), team record (can't have been on a crappy team for the majority of the career), championships, and x-factors (clutch performances, dunk championships, 3 point comps, celebrity image, etc).
I ask myself this question - "Are they named Hakeem Olajuwan?" If the answer is yes, then they are in fact the greatest player of all time. If it is no, then no, they are not the greatest player of all time.
hmmmm...well first the player has to be excellent on both sides of the floor. This player can have no weakness to his game offensively, A center/PF he must have a variety of post moves and a reliable 12-15ft J. He must be able to knock down his free throws as they are key to making a player an asset instead of a reliability towards the end of a game. A guard/SF must be able to create his own shot, have an excellent mid range game, an be able to hit the three, free throw shot and bail out his defense. His FG% must be high for his position, shooting alot almost guarantees a high scoring average. This player cannot be a liability on the defensive end, A center must average at least 10 boards a game in his prime, and 8+ in his down years, barring injury. He must be an above average shot blocker, excellent man on man defender and help defender. Steals are a bonus for a big man. Guards/SF's must be able to read passing lanes exceptionally well, play pressure defense when called upon and also be excellent help defenders. Top Ten in steals are a must IMO. I think being in the discussion for DPOY is necessary as well as multiple All Defensive 1st team appearances. But what really matters are the intangibles This player must be able to raise his game in the playoffs. When matched against a peer, he needs to show that he is superior. This players intensity must be high for 48mins a game, he cannot take plays off. He cannot take Off-Seasons lightly, he must work to improve his weaknesses. He must constantly work to make himself better and never feel a sense of entitlement to anything. His teammates must respect him and look to him as a leader, and he in turn must lead by example. When the situation is not in their favour, he must rally his teammates to at least try to stay in the game/series. If his team needs him, he must step up to the best of his ability, he cannot fade, send messages or sit plays out. He must be compared to his peers of his era, and judged accordingly. His time-span of competition must be of a high calibre from his rookie season to his retirement. His competition in his prime years must be taken as a serious point for debate. There are few who meet this criteria in no order: Jordan Olajuwon Bird Magic Others mentioned fail to meet this criteria somewhere along the line. Just my opinion anyway.
And to narrow it down further: Question 2: "Did this individual wear a Houston Rockets jersey with the number 34 on it while actually playing in the NBA?" That'll about do it.
A lot of variables enter the equation, it's not just one or two things, and it's not necessarily stats/rings, etc. A lot of times it's certain intangibles like 'clutchness' or 'makes his teammates better' or some other subjective quality that sets that specific individual player apart from the rest. It's difficult to really say what makes the greatest player ever...
IMO, you need stats, achievements like: MVP, DPOY, all-star games, all-nba teams. And intangibles like clutchness, leadership, has to be good on both sides of the court, intensity how he plays, keeping great stats most part of his career. He must have presence on the court, and respect on the league. Hakeem is the greatest player of all time!!!!
Actually...only player to score 100 in an NBA game... And I think dream2franchise summed it up pretty well...
Criteria? Get real man. You know who the GOAT was. If stats meant anything the NBA wouldn't be about basketball at all, just a contest to see who's formula worked the best that particular year. Jordan is the GOAT, and you already knew it.
Most Dominant Ever? Far and away Wilt Chamberlain, not even close. G.O.A.T? It's difficult to say. The consensus has been Michael Jordan, but many think Magic was the best ever, others think Kareem is the GOAT, others say Wilt or Russell...this is a tough one, there is good competition for that title. But if I had to pick one, I would say MJ.
Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, or Michael Jordan... Take your pick of either of those guys and you won't be wrong.
I just want to say that the greatest player of all time should not be defined by stats, or championships. Those are only indicators, and team context should always be taken into account. The way I would define "greatest player" is with the following scenario. Suppose I was starting my own NBA franchise. And I could draft my roster based on a pool of every player. Whoever I draft, I'd be getting them at the start of their career. By definition, my "number one pick" would be the one I consider the greatest of all time.
In that case you should take Wilt. As a rookie he was easily the most talented and physically dominant.
A great player is judged on all the things mentioned but most importanty on one thing.... Did he make his team mates around him better?
