Greatest player of all time, Michael Jordan or Wilt Chamberlain
88Who was the greatest NBA player of all time? Michael Jordan or Wilt Chamberlain?
It honestly depends on your criteria. If we're talking about overall all-around talent, the answer is neither. Such a player would be Magic Johnson, who regularly played all 5 positions on the floor, and well. Magic could rebound, take the short jumpers, hit the long shots and 3's, play solid defense, run the offense from the point guard spot and elevate his game to carry the team when needed. And, needless to say, he was one of the key players, if not THE key player, on those Showtime Lakers teams that won several championships. If not for his HIV infection forcing his retirement, his career would have lasted several more years than it did.
But the criteria fans often use isn't just basketball skills. Context plays a big role, and this is where the two names above stand out, even over Magic and his all-around game.
At Wilt Chamberlain's time, the idea of a big man dunking over everybody and dominating the paint was a fairly new concept. Once you had Wilt scoring points in bunches, including his famous 100 point game in Hershey, PA, this revolutionized the pro game and opened the door for dominating big men like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton. He is a big reason (pun intended) why dunking and athletic seven footers are a big part of NBA basketball today.
Wilt's biggest weakness was, ironically, emphasized by his strengths. Because he could use his size to score in bunches by leaping over people and scoring layups and dunks, his shooting skills remained unrefined, and he was a famously bad free throw shooter (career free-throw percentage was 51.1%: a competent shooter should be able to make 75-80%). Consequently, he was a poor shooter, and if he wasn't close enough to the basket, you could neutralize his strengths. Fortunately for Wilt, he was so big, athletic and powerful that few people could keep him away from the basket over his career.
Michael Jordan, at a lanky 6 foot 6, didn't have Wilt's size, but he more than made up for it with his incredible work ethic, athletic talent, competitive drive and marvelous basketball skills. Jordan was a good shooter in his prime, but he was more famous for his great vertical leap and spectacular driving dunks that have been canonized on numerous posters (players who got dunked on by Jordan were often said to have been 'posterized'), earning him several entries into the All Star Game's Slam Dunk Contest, which he made famous and won several times.
Jordan has had numerous great, high scoring games that featured game winning shots. His scoring prowess alone was greatly responsible for the Chicago Bulls' ascension from mediocrity to serious playoff contention in the 80's, and once he received strong supporting teammates like Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant, the Bulls became one of the NBA's great championship dynasties, winning six championships with Jordan in the 90's.
He is also famous for making big, game winning shots under pressure. One of the NBA's most famous moments was a last second outside shot Jordan made in a playoff game against the Cleveland Cavaliers as time expired, and featured him leaping high into the air in fist-pumping celebration (and nearly kicking Cleveland's Craig Ehlo in the face). And the 6th and final NBA championship came when Jordan shook Bryon Russell, Utah's best defender, and scored a go-ahead jump shot with 5 seconds left to seal the clinching victory in the NBA Finals. It was his last play as a Chicago Bull. These moments played a huge role in lifting Jordan from mere star to iconic NBA legend.
Jordan's only weakness could be a product not of his ability, but of his ego. Jordan made those big shots and scored all those points in large part because he wanted to take those shots and wanted the ball. Frequently. As a result, he often took too many shots in games, and towards the end of his career, he missed a lot of those shots, wasting valuable possessions for his team. Fans saw 30 point games from Jordan, but often forget that while he, say, made 9 shots, he missed 14-16, and got many of his points from getting fouled and going to the free throw line, where unlike Wilt, he was a capable shooter.
But in that lies another issue: as his star status rose, NBA refs often gave Jordan favorable foul calls, calling frivolous fouls on his opposition for minor physical contact with Jordan on many plays, and allowing him to go to the line and score easy points. Jordan was conversely allowed to frequently make rough contact with opposing players on defense and often escaped getting called on it. In fact, on the aforementioned shot over Bryon Russell, replays show Jordan clearly shoving Russell aside before taking the ball to shoot, the sort of contact that usually draws an offensive foul.
This tilted games in favor of Jordan's teams and inflated his point totals. He still ultimately made a lot of great shots and played well enough to win even if his team received no such help, but he did receive some help that Wilt never received in his era.
Also, Jordan tarnished his image following retirement after his 6th championship. Years after, he attempted an ill-advised comeback with the lowly Washington Wizards, with which Jordan had served as team president and part owner. Jordan was still a solid, talented player, but his skills were greatly diminished from rust and age, seeing him miss more shots than usual. His age (41) coupled with 30-40 extra pounds took a toll on his aging knees and led to injuries hampering his efforts. He retired for good after two relatively mediocre seasons that saw the Wizards perform no better than usual. The ill-advised comeback can only do so much to tarnish his legendary image, however, and his efforts with the Chicago Bulls still cement his legacy as one of the best ever.
It's almost unfair, given the different contexts of the league in their respective times, to try to quantify the greatness of Wilt or Jordan and declare one greater than the other. Both were legendary stars in their time, with trasncendent ability that changed the game and the culture of the game. I'm willing to let their performances in their respective eras speak for themselves, and call this debate a draw.
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Wilt was a great and dominant force in the NBA, and seeing how he amazingly avg 40 or more points mutiple times and ripped down board after board, is kinda hard to argue against. But I still have to MJ. For one reason Wilt's Level of competion was far beneath him. I mean Wilt was just bigger, stronger, and faster getting off his feet than anybody then. There has been only one person that could even guard him and that was Bill Russel. Russell could defend him really well and yet even he would get lit up some nights. Plus Wilt played center. While he did have a decent mid range jumper, most of his points where right at them rim, most being tip ins,layups, and dunks. This doesnt take away from his dominance, but he did have it easier when it came to scoring.
Mike's level of competition was greater than Wilt's, players were faster, stronger, and more atheletic. From '84-present the talent level in the NBA has just been amazing. Night in and night out MJ was guarded by the best, but also had to guard the best. Plus you take into account that he played guard and made most of his points from jumpers or attacking the giants at the rim. As easy as it looked for him to put the ball in the basket, had it tougher when it came to scoring.
Both Mike and Wilt were excellent defenders. So they cancel each other out there.
All around you just have to go MJ
Jordan is definetly talented. I have not seen Wilt play,but after this blog,I must watch the past games he has played in.Jordan is definetly a remarkable player.
Wilt obviously had physical advantages that Jordan simply did not. Jordan in my opinion utilized what he had better thatn anyone else... He mastered the mental more than any other. Perhaps that Wilt was a more effctive player at times.. but in my opinion Jordan was the better player.
Jacob
Wilt all the way!
one on one Wilt would dominate Jordan
have you seen Wilt play ? Jordan is the most hyped of all time - along NBA control of the media now
wilt could carry a team of nobodys (Phila. Warriors) - Jordan cannot (with Rodman & Pippen)
wilt could carry a team of nobodys (Phila. Warriors) - Jordan cannot (unless with other great players such as Rodman & Pippen in roles that Wilt would fill by himself)
Its very interesting to know and have a glance of our favourite players! Thanks for the such a cool Hub! Nice list, I'd definately agree with.. Thanks for the xcellent Hub! Its amazing...
i've never really seen wilt play much, so i honestly couldn't guess accurately, (though i like to think jordan was better despite a lot of stats). but really, you should consider bill russell, who played against wilt. i mean, the point of the game is winning and he won 11 championships in 13 years - most of it against wilt - and he also had some very well rounded stats. i put these three and magic up there myself.
magic deff isnt the best all around mj was and wilt or jordan is easy mj because wilt played against people way smaller and less athletic
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Even though the media hypes MJ as the best, Magic Johnson is the greatest player of all-time. He won championships in high school, college, NBA, and the Olympics. Magic made his teammates/team better than anyone who has ever played the game. He also one 5 titles and made the finals 9 times in 12 seasons during the toughest/best decade in NBA history. He outassisted per game everyone in league history and averaged a higher field goal % and free throw % than MJ. He also had a 3:1 assist to turnover ratio and played all 5 positions at an all-star level. Had MJ's best 90's Bulls teams played in the 80's, they would win 2-3 titles at best. Also, if not for the HIV situation, Magic could have played 4-6 more years at or near the same level and won 1-2 more titles. If you were a GM or team owner, it should be a no-brainer that you start your team with Earvin "Magic" Johnson.
If I were to choose, I will definitely go to MJ. I'm not really familiar of Wilt Chamberlain because I haven't existed there yet and I also didn't watch his previous games on Vintage NBA or NBA's Greatest games, but Michael Jordan is definitely the most popular basketball star ever in NBA history, and he's my bid of being the greatest NBA player of all time.
If Wilt was a 25 year old playing in the NBA right now, no one would be talking about anyone else. I don't believe the talent in the NBA is better than it was in the 60's and 70's, but exercise, health and fitness regimens are. (Does anyone believe Pau Gasol could keep Wilt off the boards?) In fact, the talent is diluted with almost twice as many teams in the league than when Wilt entered the NBA.
They changed the game to keep Wilt from dominating it, something they never did for Jordan. Widening the lane and creating an invisible "plane" you could not cross over when shooting free throws were all put in place to keep Chamberlain from dominating even more than he did.
I love Michael Jordan as a player, he is one of the best, most gifted, most enjoyable players EVER to play the game. But my vote goes to Wilt Chamberlain.
By the way, regarding the assertion that Magic Johnson was the best all-around player to ever play, I would throw out Larry Bird and Rick Barry as possibilities for that title. The only thing Magic did that these guys didn't do was dribble the ball upcourt.
I saw them all play and I saw Russell play vs. Chamberlain many times. Russell was easily the greatest player of all time. He played 142 games vs. Wilt and won 84 of them. I don't want to hear that Russell had better teammates. At age 35 the Celtics beat the Lakers with Wilt, Baylor and West. I've been lucky enough to see every one of the greatest play, Oscar, West, Monroe, Michael, Kareem, Maravich, Bird, Dr. J, Magic, but the greatest player of all time was Russell. Just win, baby.
Clearly Jordan yes he had the greatest coach in basketball and a team full of talent but 2 3peats of Nba championships enough said.
winning is the end result,since we all were not around to see the first of the nba greats it would seem like a no brainer,bill russell has 11 rings one as a player coach,end of arugment,and im a laker fan ,m-johnson,went tothe finals 9 times in 12 years,mick,won 6 lost none,karreem won,in MILWALKEE,11rings,wow
To compare a Center that played in an era that featured nobody even comparable to his physical attributes to Michael Jordan is a travesty. Wilt has numbers that just cannot lie, and I'm more than willing to give him that. However, Michael played against dozens of hall of fame players that exist in the top 50 of all time. Wilt did not. Michael was 6'6" and averaged more points per game than any player of all time (including his two years with Washington in which he averaged well below his career norm). To use the argument that Jordan got favorable calls against his legacy is down-right wrong. What superstar has not gotten the benefit of the doubt in the referees' eyes? As for the game winner against Utah; if any ref made that call against any player in the final seconds of an NBA Finals game they would be "murdered" by the media for influencing the outcome of that game. Listen, I don't want to take anything away from Wilt's illustrious career, but given the fact that he played against competition equal to what George Mikan played against almost immediately disqualifies him from the argument. Fact is, Jordan dominated the best players that "dominated" their own peers. Does the fact that Joe Montana played useless years with the Kansas City Chiefs take anything away from his all-time great career with the 49ers? No. It doesn't. The arguments made against Jordan in this article are weak at best. He got favorable calls? He played two (still good) years in Washington? Oh, please. Jordan is the greatest; not was, is. And will be until somebody does something that makes the debate Jordan versus <insert future great player's name> there will be no dispute over the greatest NBA player of all-time.
lets put it this way. if you measure greatness by # of rings then bill russell is . if you measure by broken records and dominance wilt is. if you measure it by overall polished game oscar robertson edges out mj with his triple double average. if you measure it on impact on the nba basketball wilt is he changed thee fucking rules.
But if you measure by marketability and impact on pop culture jordan is by far
its funny because wilt didnt win until he went to LA
i think it should be michael jordan beacuse he is the best in the world so we should get it on if they get there game on
Chambrelain!
I would say Jordan is responsible in many ways for ushering in the new era of prolific scorers such as Lebron, Wade, and Kobe as can be seen by the similarities in their playing styles. Wilt was no doubt dominant in his heyday, but could he honestly have been as dominant if he was playing now against players like Shaquille O'neal, Dwight Howard, and Yao Ming just to name a few. I think Jordan would've been nearly as dominant playing now as he was in his prime during the early 90s. So I would have to go with Jordan on this one.
jordan by far!!!
he was more quick,skills,air!!!!!
nobody can beat mj ,he is the GOAT!!!!
I think this comparison is not good, because Wilt was definitely the best scorer and most dominating center numbers wise of his generation, but as for winning, he doesn't compare favorably to most.
Bill Russell has 11 rings out of 13 seasons.
George Mikan 5 rings in seven seasons.
Michael Jordan 6 rings in 15 seasons (although his last two were arguably to become an owner and not really playing for a championship)
Magic Johnson 5 rings in 13 seasons.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 6 rings in 20 seasons.
Kobe Bryant 3 rings in 12 seasons.
To put Wilt in the same category as these guys is laughable to me. He should be compared to someone like Shaquille O'Neal, who had all the talent and never could find the desire to win deep enough in his heart.
Wilt went against Russell all the time, and couldn't beat him. To me this speaks volumes.
The league isn't more talented than it was in Chamberlain's day--it is less talented. Shooting guards don't dribble, point guards don't shoot, small forwards are often just a second shooting guard in the lineup, and few players have a mid-range game. High school players not ready to compete lard NBA benches, the NBA draft is all about "potential" instead of accomplishments, and there are 30 teams instead of 16 (which means half the league would be playing in the Eastern League or in a home-town church league in Wilt's day).
Besides Bill Russell, Wilt played against such great players as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bob Lanier, Dave Cowens, Nate Thurmond, Walt Bellamy, Willis Reed, Wes Unseld, Elvin Hayes, and Jerry Lucas. There were far more quality centers in the NBA when Wilt played, in part because big men are now unwilling to go to college to develop their skills. Where does Eddie Curry appear on the list of great players? Or Tyson Chandler or Kwame Brown? Can anyone name five excellent NBA centers from the last five years? How about the last ten years?
My friends, Wilt was the best to ever play the game.
This was the best hub about Michael Jordan I've ever seen. You even mentioned his ego and the push on Russell. Good job.
i think jordan is the best!!!
he is a full pack player!!!
Although they were both great players Chamberlain definitely had an advantage at the time he played. He was so much bigger and stronger than anyone else in the league at that time that he caused some major changes that you noted in the game.
When you compare Michael Jordan during his time, he was initially an incredible individual player and evolved into a great team player who simply took over during the pressure moments. You could never say that about Wilt and I believe that is why you have to give the nod to MJ.
Perhaps a better question currently would be if you could take either one of them in their prime and add them to a team now, who would make the biggest difference, I would vote Jordan!
A good post, but there were a number of things you skirted. Most especially, DEFENSE. It hardly garners a mention. Jordan was an excellent defensive player, but his "D" paled when compared against his transcendent offensive abilities. His domination of the game came from this mastery of getting the ball into the hoop--and to a lesser extent, drawing the defense and passing off (something he did well, but of course, did not match his contemporaries Magic and Stockton). His defense against players his own size was among the best in the league, but he showed considerable weaknesses whenever he was matched up against a smaller or larger player--a circumstance that is unavoidable in the hurly-burly of NBA basketball. Chamberlain, however, was quite likely the greatest defensive player of all time. This was something that was overlooked during his formative years as there was another player who almost matched him in defensive prowess--a player who focused on defense to the virtual exclusion of offense, and who just happened to be playing on the greatest team of the era--Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics. But putting the debate of who was better defensively, Chamberlain or Russell, there is no doubt that Wilt's dominance of the defensive portion of the game has not even remote competition in todays game (the last player to come within a stone's throw was Bill Walton, a player who never even reached his prime owing to a series of unfortunate injuries). This is the main difference between Jordan and Wilt. Jordan's dominance came on the offensive side, while he was "merely" very good on defense. Chamberlain's dominance actually occurred on the defensive side, where his shot blocking ability (alas, occurring in an era before they were tallied) and rebounding were stupendous (he is the career leader in rebounds with only Russell coming close), while his offense was so good that today, that's all most people hear about (after all, he had the 100 point game and the season 50.1 scoring average, while his defensive abilities, other than rebounding, aren't reflected in the statistics). It is true, as you point out, that free throw shooting was an obvious weakness, but I contend that his inability to shoot from outside was NOT a weakness, but a strategic strength. Why would you put the greatest rebounder of all time on the perimeter?
I take nothing away from Jordan. He was phenomenal. A master of putting the game on his back and carrying his team to victory. His will to win, his athleticism, his shot-making were awe-inspiring. But Chamberlain's dominance on BOTH ends of the court--a dominance on the defensive side that knows no peer (well, except for Russell), a dominance on the offensive end that forced rules changes (as noted by Mike Lickteig above). And, let's not forget that one year Chamberlain actually LED THE NBA IN ASSISTS!!! (yes, you read that right)--something Jordan never came close to doing. Thus, in spite of the admitted weakness at the free throw line, Chamberlain would rank first ahead of Jordan, Jabbar, Bird, Magic, and Russell as the greatest player of all time, and the greatest "all around" player as well. Magic doesn't qualify here as his defense was anemic (he was a poor one-on-one defender, and only a good team defender. Bird would be a better competitor for this "all-around" designation as though his one-on-one defense was mediocre, his team defense was superb as his unparalleled understanding of the game led him to anticipate where the pass would be going or where help was needed).
As to the idea that Jordan would make the bigger difference if you added him to a modern team than Wilt--well, I would think that turning, say, a middle-of-the-road team into the best rebounding team in the league, giving them the best interior defense in the league, and giving a huge boost to their offense would count for quite a bit. And incidentally, Chamberlain would STILL be the strongest player in the NBA, as he was the strongest player of all time (he did a clean-and-press of over 400 pounds once--back when the world record was only about 40 pounds greater).
Chamberlain over Jordan.
Incidentally, another statistic that is more than a bit mind-blowing: Wilt Chamberlain NEVER fouled out of a game. Not once. Add to this his incredible near-invulnerability (he had only one injury that kept him out of any games, breaking his leg, an injury he returned from much earlier than anyone anticipated)--the fact that in his prime he averaged more minutes per game than anyone in history (imagine the advantage of keeping the greatest defensive player of all time on the court for virtually the entire game! [one year, he averaged MORE than 48 minutes a game]), and this just adds further proof that Chamberlain was the greatest of all time--rest his soul.
Tom Muther made an excellent point about Wilt and his defensive abilities. Jordan likely wasn't the best defender on his team, let alone the league--Scottie Pippen or Dennis Rodman drew the tough assignments. And yes, I believe that if Wilt were in his prime he would dominate Shaquille O'Neal. If O'Neal had to play someone that matched his strength, he would be forced to rely on his skills. Wilt was the more skilled player, offensively and defensively. Wilt would certainly dominate Yao Ming and Dwight Howard!!!
This blog has led to some outstanding and enjoyable discussion and debate. Thanks for the post, I wish I wrote it!!!!
When someone avoids discussing the obvious, it makes it more obvious. NO ONE is talking about what the NBA looked like in Wilt's time. What was the average height? Of centers? The NBA was still just evolving. There was no aggressive global recruiting policy. So Wilt only played against some of the best in the u.S. But what about the rest of the world? There was no strong interest, internationally,in basketball back then. Jordan played against the best in the world. I disagree with Mike Licktig.Jordan was not just a good defender. He got 9 all-defensive 1st team selections. He had the highest steals per game average in history. He would have eclipsed Stockton's record if not for the multiple retirements. He was the greatest shot-blocking guard to play in the NBA. He was the first player to get over 200 steals and 100 blocks in one season, and then duplicated the feat, another record. He got Defensive Player of the Year. He got 5 Mvps. More than Wilt. 6 rings and 6 championships. More than Wilt. He won tons of games at the line. Something Wilt couldn't do with his anemic free throw shooting. The height of the players guarding Wilt was about THE SAME AS THOSE GUARDING JORDAN!!! 6'9" Russell guarded Wilt. 6'10" Rodman of the Pistons guarded Jordan. Plus 6'10" Gerald Wilkins of the Cavaliers. And 7'0 John Salley. I remember seeing 6'9" magic johnson and 6'9" Larry Bird guarding Jordan, and he clowned on them!! When Wilt was playing, there were a number of 6'8" centers still in the league. When Jordan was playing there were NO 6'8" centers. But lots of 6'9" forwards. The league was smaller, weaker, and slower. When taller players joined the league, in the latter half of Wilt's career, his numbers became more human. He could NEVER have scored 100 pts. on Kareem, Nate, Walt, Wes, Elvin, or even Russell. Michael's stats went up when it counted, in the playoffs. Wilt's dipped. Who would you rather have at the line with the game ON the line?
I’m not sure anyone avoided talking about how the NBA was when Wilt played, I’m just not sure it is as relevant as j. jones suggests. Wilt’s statistics dipped in the latter part of his career due to age and the fact that the Lakers didn’t need him as a scorer, not because the league outgrew him. Remember, he led the league in rebounding in his final year in the NBA. No, Wilt might not get 100 on Jabbar or Nate Thurmond, but he regularly posted 20+ points AND rebounds on all of those centers you mentioned, including Jabbar, and blocked a ton of shots besides. No center in today’s NBA would get big numbers on those guys, and j.jones didn’t even mention Dave Cowens, Bob Lanier, or Walt Bellamy. Earlier in Wilt’s career, he had his single game rebound high against the great Bill Russell. Does anyone think Wilt would be slowed down by Pau Gasol, or Kendrick Perkins or Tyson Chandler or Emeka Okafor or Eddie Curry or Joaquin Noah or Eric Dampier or even Yao Ming? What about Joel Pryzbilla or Andrew Bogut? Is Dwight Howard really any better than Elvin Hayes was? If someone wants to mention Shaq, well—who has he ever guarded? Wilt would get his numbers on him too, and win the game besides. And, as far as international players go, who is out there that would give Chamberlain a battle? The league is taller now, sure, but how many of those tall guys go inside and battle? Most of them are content to shoot jump shots. How many of them excel on defense? Wilt might have averaged 60 a night as a young man with the level of talent at center in the NBA today.
To take this rationale further, perhaps Jordan’s NBA was still “evolving”, as well. Could Jordan shut down LeBron James, Dwayne Wade or Kobe Bryant? (I’m guessing that task would fall to Rodman or Pippen; Phil Jackson wouldn’t even LET MJ guard those guys.) Jordan won his titles guarding guys like Jeff Hornacek, Byron Russell, and John Starks. Are these players better than Jerry West, Gail Goodrich, Pete Maravich, and Oscar Robertson? Jordan couldn’t even beat the Pistons until they grew older. You mention 6’10” Gerald Wilkins and Rodman guarding Jordan (an exaggeration of both Wilkins and Rodman’s height, by the way), but you failed to mention that the Pistons beat the Bulls when Rodman was there. I don’t ever remember seeing Larry Bird or John Salley actually guarding Jordan. He might have drove to the basket on them, but that isn’t the same thing.
If this debate centers on what the league was like when Wilt played, okay—let’s try something. If Jordan played in Wilt’s time, would he have been a small forward or even a skinny power forward, posted up by Paul Silas or Bill Bridges every night and dominated? Would he be strong enough to keep Elgin Baylor from scoring or rebounding? Could he have averaged a triple double, as did Oscar Robertson? If Jordan couldn’t beat Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars until they aged, why should we believe he would have done any better against Chicago’s Jerry Sloan and Norm Van Lier, or New York’s Walt Frazier and Earl Monroe, or the Lakers’ Jerry West and Gail Goodrich, or the Bucks with Robertson and Lucius Allen, or Boston with Jo Jo White and Don Chaney? All of these players would star in the modern day NBA. Could Jordan have led the league in scoring AND assists, as Nate Archibald did? Let’s say he continued to play guard in the old NBA, something that wasn’t really the case for 6’6” athletes back then. Could he have kept up with Sam Jones, Nate Archibald, and other lightning-quick guards from the “old days”? Would he have shut down relentless offensive players such as Jerry West or John Havlicek, or would they have worn HIM down? I would counter the absurd argument that Wilt would struggle in today’s NBA with the notion that MJ wouldn’t necessarily have flourished in Wilt’s time, either. A silly statement? Perhaps, but no less so than the assertion that the modern day NBA would have bothered Chamberlain if he played today.
If you’re talking titles, beating an aging Lakers team without Jabbar or the Jazz, the Sonics or the Suns for a title is hardly the same as battling the Celtics with Russell, the New York teams with Willis Reed, or the Bucks with Jabbar. If Wilt played in the NBA of the ‘90s, he would have demolished those teams. “Hey, Wilt, you better be ready—you gotta play GREG OSTERTAG tonight!!!!” "Watch out, Wilt, Kevin Duckworth is coming at ya!" The point is, the league is so diluted by expansion, a lot of these guys wouldn't even be in the league when Wilt played. They would have been in the Eastern League or playing in their church on Sundays.
Avoiding the obvious? With all due respect, I think the issue isn't that relevant. The NBA was fine in Wilt's day. And Wilt dominated.
If this will be based on the stats and records, i think you all know who is the best.
however there's no official or real basis to come up with an answer which makes it all very hard.
With this i think this will leave to every person's own view.
MJ for me. :-)
It's hard to compare players from different generations. Besides, people define best player differently. Some people look at stats, some look at winning, some look at value to team, etc. I'd say Lebron is the best player of all-time right now and will only get better, especially when his jump-shot becomes more consistent. Obviously, every new generation is going to bring faster, stronger, higher-jumping players than ever before. So, in those terms, Wilt would probably be dominated by current players such as Shaq and Dwight Howard. MJ wouldn't be as good as Lebron or Kobe nowadays either. I think the proper way to look at this is to see was most dominant in their respective era. It doesn't all have to do with winning either. If the greatest player of all-time was on a team of all scruubs, he would never win a championsihp over a team of all-stars. Wilt was the most dominant player of all time and that's why he is my pick.
good hub
but it was Bird or Magic for making there teams better
oliver says:
2 years ago
Who is the greatest player of all time? Jordan or Wilt? That is definitely a question worth asking for all the reasons you mentioned and all the proofs that you gave. It's just sad that you failed to make your own judgement. I myself asked that question but, I'm not as learned in basketball as you are so I found your essay interesting. A draw is the weekest possible conclusion you could have made because these two are definitely different. Their carreers are different. Their contributions were different. You could have made a judgement but, declined to do so. Any answer would be debatable but, it would have been a stand and a fitting end to this essay. For example, given the examples you've cited, I'd say Jordan was the greatest. Because I believe that he ellevated himself, his team, the league, and the game to heights that few even dared to imagine before him. His games, and especially that last Bull game winning shot, live on in my imagination nearly a decade after. Was that a weak choice? Maybe. But it was a choice. & you could have done so much better. So... who do you think was the best player?