Who's The NBA Goat?
In the NBA, there's a lot of discussion over who the true greatest of all time player is. There have been many amazing professional players to grace the courts, but from among these athletes, a few recurring names stand out. Here are five NBA players who are often considered the GOATS of this beloved sport - which one do you think ranks number one?
1. LeBron James
When you're debating who's the GOAT in the NBA, it's impossible to leave LeBron James out of the conversation. If you're looking at pure stats, no one has performed better than him. From surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to becoming the all-time scorer to maintaining performance for over 20 seasons and winning numerous titles and awards, it feels like the numbers are stacked against you.
2. Michael Jordan
Sure Lebron's got the numbers, but what about Michael Jordan's undeniable impact on the sport? Not only does he have his own impressive set of stats, like having a perfect finals record of 6-0 and maintaining the highest scoring average in history, but his Jordan's brand and role in making NBA a worldwide name, can't be ignored either. If we're talking legacy, Michael Jordan definitely made the NBA his own.
3. Kobe Bryant
If we're going to talk drive and player work ethic, no one in NBA history can beat Kobe Bryant. Even giving his mentality a nickname, "Mamba Mentality," he was able to claim five championships as a result. He was an all-around talent that his opponents would always fear, with his presence being felt the moment he stepped on the court. His fundamentals were perfect, making him the ideal offensive and defensive player.
4. Magic Johnson
A name you've heard of many times before, Magic Johnson was crucial in building up the NBA to what it is now. He was a star player that excelled both on an individual level, but in a team, too. He now carries with him a number of titles and accomplishments, like five championship wins, 3 MVP titles, and 3-time finals MVP.
Daniel Benavides from Austin, TX on Wikimedia
5. Bill Russell
If you care about making records and leaving a legacy, than Bill Russell is definitely up for contention. Can you believe that he won 11 championships in a span of 13 seasons? That's simply unheard of! He even won 5 MVP titles and he's best known for his revolutionary and incredible defensive plays. He's up for GOAT discussion because he truly changed the name of the game - when it comes to defense.
