Like with any good debate you must define the terms used in order to make a clear argument. So far people have been typing in every direction and I have to admit it's entertaining (distracting at the very least) but still not to the point. Not one to ruin a good thing I'll just keep going. Greatness is a quality that is not easily defined but it is easy to spot. Jordan was (and in many ways still is) great. "Greatest ever?" that depends on what you mean by the "greatest". I do know that if I were picking teams he'd be my first choice. I mean if he's good enough for Bugs and Daffy... ;-)
Michael Jordan became the definition of excellence... "He's the Michael Jordan of.... " has became the metaphor for excellence... "Like Kobe", "Like T-Mac" just doesn't have the ring of "Like Mike"... He has gave us so much more than just the game of basketball. For me personally, he redefined my standard of a good looking male. Who would ever thought baldness can be so hot! LOL
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting blacknsilver21:</div><div class="quote_post">Michael Jordan became the definition of excellence... </div> ^^exactly..thats all over the world...if someone is exceptional in their sport,you'll hear someone say "hes the michael jordan of basketball"
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting cross yo ova:</div><div class="quote_post">if someone is exceptional in their sport,you'll hear someone say "hes the michael jordan of basketball"</div> LOL, no you won't. You'll hear them say "He's the Michael Jordon of his RESPECTIVE sport"
all around best mj is the best because he could do eveything. he had high shooting %, high free throw %, high 3pt %, he could drive, he could pull up, he could dunk, he could play D, he could block, he could steal, he could pass, he could rebound, he could perform in the clutch, and he knew the game well, he could carry a team, he could make people around him better, and he could win. he can be listed as one of the best in each of those categories. if you can name me another player with the same ability, you are probably a liar. the only person i can see reaching this status is maybe kobe. but that will still take some time.
I think MJ is the greatest in notariaty and fame, but not in play. He is definitely ONE of the best, though
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">if you can name me another player with the same ability, you are probably a liar</div> This is exactly the point I try to make sometimes when arguing the best player ever. No one is, or will be, better than MJ because you guys won't allow anyone to be better than MJ. Because you guys saw him with your own eyes you have it etched in your head that he is the greatest and that it's impossible for anyone to even be on his level. That's when it comes to really disrespecting the game and the legends. The fans who think MJ is the greatest degrade the games of the other legends so much (with things so petty) it's as if they are the sixth men on a team.
I don't think centers get enough credit when it comes to these types of debates. Shaq has had actual rule changes made in an attempt to tame him. If Jordan was a center, he probably wouldn't be considered in the same light merely because of his position.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting BallerAK47:</div><div class="quote_post">I think MJ is the greatest in notariaty and fame, but not in play. He is definitely ONE of the best, though</div> You never give us any names. Too bad Jordan destroyed Utah's best chance ever at winning a title. Don't use hate as your reason to put the man down.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting BallerAK47:</div><div class="quote_post">I think MJ is the greatest in notariaty and fame, but not in play. He is definitely ONE of the best, though</div> so who is the best ballerAK47???
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting cross yo ova:</div><div class="quote_post">so who is the best ballerAK47???</div> i'd answer the question...NO ONE...MJ simply is the best ever...come on guys...it's as if you never watched his games...he simply revolutionized the NBA...and operates effectively at any level...he will win ball games for you...a highlight film of all his game winners would be enough to fill a video tape...he will bring fans to the stands...he even brought ex-Pres. Clinton to watch a game...if he didn't play the game, Karl Malone would be wearing an NBA ring now and he wouldn't need to go to LA...he led the NBA in scoring for many seasons...an excellent defender...usually, an excellent defender couldn't boast of an NBA leading scoring avg. (shall I say Ben Wallace?)...he gives 100% of his strength for every game...may it be game 1 of the regular season or game 7 of the NBA championship...and OMG 72 wins?!...and he's a great leader...i mean...Rodman played many years in Chicago with minimal trouble...that counts for something right? he's an icon...anyone who is aware that there is a sport called basketball is aware that there is a Michael Jordan...we all wanted to be "like Mike"...don't tell me you never tried to dunk from the free throw line to see how the hell he did it...or you never practiced the post up fade-away J... come on guys...MJ is the greatest ever...
People just don't agree with it because MJ destroyed their dreams of their favorite teams winning a title, that simple.
Not exactly. I honestly really don't like calling one player the best anymore, however, if I had to say then to me MJ was not the greatest of all time. I'll repeat: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">This is exactly the point I try to make sometimes when arguing the best player ever. No one is, or will be, better than MJ because you guys won't allow anyone to be better than MJ. Because you guys saw him with your own eyes you have it etched in your head that he is the greatest and that it's impossible for anyone to even be on his level. That's when it comes to really disrespecting the game and the legends. The fans who think MJ is the greatest degrade the games of the other legends so much (with things so petty) it's as if they are the sixth men on a team.</div> Basically I just think it's a slap in the face to the legends who have made a great impact on the game to fight over things to little just to call one person better than the rest. Each legend has left their own impact on the game and the greatest ones are the ones that people rememeber.
I think MJ is the best ever. pg-Oscar Robertson, John Stockton, Magic SG-MJ, Jerry West, SF-Larry Bird, Scottie Pippen PF-Bill Russel, Elgin Baylor C- Wilt, Shaq
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting J-MAC:</div><div class="quote_post">I think MJ is the best ever. pg-Oscar Robertson, John Stockton, Magic SG-MJ, Jerry West, SF-Larry Bird, Scottie Pippen PF-Bill Russel, Elgin Baylor C- Wilt, Shaq</div> Please take John Stockton off of that list. I go to college out here in Utah, and I'm so sick of hearing that ish. People out here actually believe that Stockton was better than JKidd....LAST YEAR!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">You never give us any names. Too bad Jordan destroyed Utah's best chance ever at winning a title. Don't use hate as your reason to put the man down.</div> You mean the refs destroyed it? Thats ok, easy mistake
First off, I think the greatest all around player ever to touch a basketball is Arvydas Sabonis. If it weren't for the USSR, Portland would have had a very different mid-eighties. My top five list, regardless of position, would read thus: 1. Sabas 2. Bill Russell 3. Wilt Chamerlain 4. Michael Jordan 5. Shaq honorable mention: Bill Walton, cause he's awesome They all absolutely dominated anyone and any team that dared to play them. I know the Bulls sucked early in Jordan's career, but look up the box scores sometime for some of those pre-dynasty games if you didnt get a chance to witness them. It was 5-on-1 and Jordan dominated more often than not. And Bill Russel, what can I say. 11 career champioships, and he was a PLAYER-COACH for a few years. You don't see much of that anymore.
Sabonis was a great player, very creative and smart, but this is a joke in my opinion. Shaq, Moses, Wilt, Russell, Duncan, David Robinson, Ewing, and of course my personal favorite center of all time, Hakeem Olajuwon, I would put ahead of Sabonis. There are already enough "what if's" that go on in these "best ever" debates, but I give this "if" a big huge :thumbsdow
lemme tell ya a little something. People got all hyped up when MJ got a triple Double. But, there was a man who, over 5 seasons, AVERAGED a triple double, that is pretty much a triple-double EVERY GAME. Oscar Robertson is the best 2 ever <font color="blue">No Insults please, BC</font>
