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onlyinnba · 5 months

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💥MY TOP 5 GREATEST NBA PLAYERS OF ALL TIME💥

#EMTECH

#1STBLOG

1. MICHAEL JORDAN - "THE GOAT"

This man is arguably the Greatest Basketball Player to ever set foot on Earth. Wins 3 rings in a row then retired and when he came back, they win another 3 rings. So this man have a 6-0 record in the Finals. He won a Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1988 along with his 5 MVPs, 6 FMVPs with his 10 Scoring Titles and was named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team and if I mention all of MJs accomplishments and achievements it's gonna take years.

2. LEBRON JAMES - "THE KING" "THE CHOSEN ONE"

They are only 2 players who are in the conversation of being the "GOAT" or the Greatest Of All Time. It's Lebron and Michael, You can't hate someone when they put Lebron in their Top 1 because when you say greatness it's a crime to leave The King behind. For me what secured his spot in the "GOAT CONVERSATION" with MJ was his performance in 2016 when he led the Cleveland Cavaliers back from a 3-1 deficit against the 73-win Golden State Warriors. He was a 4x Nba Champion, 4x Nba Finals MVP, 4x Nba MVP, 19x Nba All Star, 19 All Nba Selection and was named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team. He also surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the All Time Leading Scorer. Greatness.

3. KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR - "THE TOWER FROM POWER"

The former NBA's All Time Leading Scorer and the inventor of one of the most iconic move in Basketball History, the "Classical Sky Hook" it was his move on his road to 38, 387 career points. He was an 6x Nba Champion, 2x Nba Finals MVP, 6x Nba MVP, 19x Nba All Star, 20x All Nba Selections and was named to the 75th Nba Anniversary Team. Old but Gold.

4. EARVIN JOHNSON - "MAGIC"

The Best Point Guard of All Time. Just think about how incredible it is that in his first season in the legue, Magic startd Game 6 of the NBA Finals at center and dropped 42 points. He won 5 NBA Championships, 3 Nba Finals MVP, 3 Nba MVP, 12 Nba All Star Appearances and 10 All Nba Selections. He also was named in the 75th Nba Anniversary Team. Magic. Showtime.

5. KOBE BRYANT - "THE BLACK MAMBA"

First of All, Rest in Peace to the Mamba himself Kobe Bean Bryant. He is one of the most iconic names in all Basketball History. Many kids idolized him for his Mentality and I can't hide the fact that I am one of those kids. We see the accomplishments in Kobe as he won 5 NBA Championships , 2 Nba Finals MVP, 1 Nba MVP, 18 Nba All Star Appearances and 15 All Nba Selections. He was also named to 75th Nba Anniversary Team. Mamba Mentality. Mamba Out.

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dan6085 · 6 days

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TOP 20 greatest Lakers of all time:

1. **Magic Johnson** - Led the Lakers to five championships in the 1980s, known for his exceptional passing and leadership.

2. **Kobe Bryant** - Won five championships with the Lakers, becoming one of the greatest scorers in NBA history.

3. **Kareem Abdul-Jabbar** - NBA's all-time leading scorer, won multiple championships with the Lakers.

4. **Shaquille O'Neal** - Dominant center who led the Lakers to three consecutive championships.

5. **LeBron James** - A key player in recent Lakers success, contributing to the 2020 NBA championship.

6. **Jerry West** - 14-time All-Star and key player in Lakers' success during the 1960s.

7. **Elgin Baylor** - Dynamic scorer and rebounder who played a significant role in Lakers' success.

8. **Wilt Chamberlain** - Dominant center who had historic seasons with the Lakers.

9. **James Worthy** - Known as "Big Game James," contributed to multiple championships.

10. **George Mikan** - Pioneer in basketball who led the Lakers to multiple championships.

11. **Pau Gasol** - Skilled big man who contributed to Lakers' championships in 2009 and 2010.

12. **Wilt Chamberlain** - Dominant center who had historic seasons with the Lakers.

13. **Byron Scott** - Key player in Lakers' "Showtime" era and multiple championships.

14. **Derek Fisher** - Reliable point guard and leader, won multiple championships.

15. **Gail Goodrich** - Skilled scorer and playmaker who contributed to Lakers' success.

16. **Michael Cooper** - Defensive stalwart and key contributor to Lakers' championships.

17. **Robert Horry** - Clutch performer who made key plays in multiple championships.

18. **Jamaal Wilkes** - Versatile forward who contributed to Lakers' success.

19. **Rick Fox** - Versatile forward known for his defensive intensity.

20. **Anthony Davis** - All-Star forward who contributed to Lakers' 2020 NBA championship.

These players have left a lasting impact on the Lakers' franchise with their contributions to championships, individual achievements, and memorable moments on the court.

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lboogie1906 · 8 days

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr.; April 16, 1947) is a former basketball player who played 20 seasons in the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers. As a center, he was a record six-time NBA MVP, a record 19-time NBA All-Star, a 15-time All-NBA selection, and an 11-time NBA All-Defensive Team member. A member of six NBA championship teams as a player and two more as an assistant coach, he twice was voted NBA Finals MVP. He was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

He was recruited by UCLA, where he played for coach John Wooden on three consecutive national championship teams and was a record three-time MVP of the NCAA Tournament. Drafted with the first overall pick by the Bucks franchise, he spent six seasons in Milwaukee. After leading the Bucks to its first NBA championship, he took the Muslim name. Using his trademark “skyhook” shot, he established himself as one of the league’s top scorers. He was traded to the Lakers, with whom he played the final 14 seasons of his career and won five NBA championships. His contributions were a key component in the “Showtime” era of Lakers basketball. His teams succeeded in making the playoffs 18 times and got past the first round 14 times; his teams reached the NBA Finals on 10 occasions.

At the time of his retirement, he was the NBA’s all-time leader in points scored (38,387), games played (1,560), minutes played (57,446), field goals made (15,837), field goal attempts (28,307), blocked shots (3,189), defensive rebounds (9,394), career wins (1,074), and personal fouls (4,657). He remains the all-time leader in points scored, field goals made, and career wins. He is ranked third all-time in both rebounds and blocked shots. ESPN voted him the greatest center of all time, they named him the “greatest player in college basketball history”, and they named him the second-best player in NBA history. He has been an actor, a basketball coach, and a best-selling author. He was selected by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to be a US global cultural ambassador. President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

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sportsloverguide · 4 months

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"Ranking the 10 Greatest NBA Players of All Time"

Michael Jordan: The ultimate winner, Jordan conquered the playoffs like no other, racking up 6 titles and 6 Finals MVPs. He could score and defend like nobody else!

Bill Russell: The king of defense, Russell led the Celtics to a mind-blowing 11 championships! He grabbed more rebounds than anyone, ever.

Magic Johnson: Magic's dazzling passing and Finals success with the Lakers cemented his place as one of the all-time greats. He made basketball fun to watch!

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: The unstoppable "Skyhook" shot made Kareem the NBA's all-time leading scorer. He also won 6 championships and holds a bunch of other records.

Larry Bird: Bird's smart play, deadly shooting, and fierce competitiveness brought 3 titles to the Celtics. He was a real "hick from French Lick" legend!

LeBron James: King James is still adding to his trophy case, but his amazing all-around play and multiple MVP awards already secure his place among the greats.

Wilt Chamberlain: Wilt was a scoring machine! He once averaged 50 points per game, which is just crazy. He also won 2 championships and had some other wild stats.

Tim Duncan: The quiet leader, Duncan anchored the Spurs with his steady play and championship focus. He won 4 titles and was always a tough opponent.

Shaquille O'Neal: Shaq was a giant force in the paint! His unstoppable power and size helped him win 4 championships and dominate his era.

Hakeem Olajuwon: With his fancy footwork and "Dream Shake" moves, Hakeem was one of the best big men ever. He won 2 titles and showed off his skills against the best competition.

There you have it, the top 10 NBA players in simple terms! Each one brought something special to the game and left their mark on basketball history.

#nbagreats #basketballlegends #goats #nbahistory #hoopsheroes #sportsicons #ballers #courtroyalty #legendaryplayers #top10nba

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dpinoycosmonaut · 7 months

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GILAS’ GOLD IN 19th ASIAN GAMES: ONE FOR THE AGES

by Bert A. Ramirez / October 8, 2023

Members of the Gilas Pilipinas team, which broke a 61-year gold-medal drought in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, join hands on the podium in a symbolic gesture that spoke of their solidarity after their historic triumph over Jordan. (Photo by Lee Jin-man of The Associated Press)

When last Friday’s 70-60 victory by the Philippines over Jordan in the men’s basketball finals of the 19th Asian Games is remembered, it will be regarded as historic, massive and epochal, and certainly one for the ages, literally and figuratively.

The Philippines, after all, had been without a gold medal in the Asian Games in its favorite sport since winning the first four editions of the event in 1951, 1954, 1958 and 1962, a period that spanned a good 61 years, or practically a lifetime for some people. The last Asiad championship in fact that the country won in 1962 in Jakarta, Indonesia still had the legendary Carlos Loyzaga, now a FIBA Hall of Famer, anchoring a team made up of some of the greatest names in local basketball history, including Narciso Bernardo, one of the greatest scorers in Asia during his prime, and such other mythical names as Alberto “Big Boy” Reynoso, Kurt Bachmann and Edgardo Roque.

The gold-medal drought had covered a total of 14, repeat, 14 Asian Games, and during this barren stretch that was endured by this basketball-crazy country, its roundball practitioners had accounted for just three podium finishes, including a bronze medal in 1986, a silver in 1990 and another bronze in 1998, when the country was celebrating its Independence Day centennial, while finishing as low as seventh in 2014 and missing the event altogether because of a suspension in 2006.

The enormity of the odds against the Filipinos’ winning another gold medal was particularly magnified by the fact that they had to hurdle a now-expanded field and much stronger competition that included defending champion China, which was playing in its home ground and which, despite a lopsided 96-75 defeat to Gilas Pilipinas last September in the last FIBA World Cup held in Manila, was aching for revenge and was, in fact, going great guns during this Games. And one should remember the Chinese have been the dominant basketball force in the Asian Games since arriving on the scene in 1974, having won the gold medal in eight of the 12 Asiads they have participated in from that time on.

What compounded matters for this Philippine team was what happened just before the Asiad, when the squad that was supposed to be anchored on the nucleus of Gilas Pilipinas’ FIBA World Cup roster suffered a massive loss of personnel even without considering naturalized player Jordan Clarkson’s return to the US for the start of the NBA’s training camps. Can you imagine losing such guys as Dwight Ramos, A.J. Edu, Kai Sotto, Rhenz Abando, Roger Pogoy, Kiefer Ravena and Jamie Malonzo?

So basically the carryovers from that team that were called to carry the cudgels in the Hangzhou Asian Games a couple of weeks later were June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar and C.J. Perez, and called to take the place of Ramos and company, most of whom had to return to their respective pro teams in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, were naturalized players Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame, Calvin Oftana, Chris Newsome, Kevin Alas, Marcio Lassiter, Arvin Tolentino and Chris Ross. And some of these players were just inserted at the last minute after original choices Calvin Abueva, Terrence Romeo, Mo Tautuaa, Jason Perkins and Stanley Pringle were rejected by the Asiad organizers for supposedly not having been part of the original 37-man pool the Philippines submitted to them.

So this version of Gilas Pilipinas was practically a new one especially when one considers coach Tim Cone, who was tasked to take over Chot Reyes’ job as headman after Reyes resigned following the FIBA World Cup, hardly had a chance to work everybody out together with all the turnover of personnel that happened. Meanwhile, the rest of the field had the luxury of having been together for a long time, particularly China and Jordan, which turned out to be the Filipinos’ main rivals in the end.

The Filipinos give coach Tim Cone a victory ride to celebrate their landmark feat. (Photo by Lee Jin-man of The Associated Press)

Yes, Jordan. This was the same team that finished dead-last in the last FIBA World Cup but with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who powered Talk ‘N Text to the PBA Governors’ Cup title this year, had turned many heads around. True enough, when the disjointed Gilas team first met the Falcons in the group stage, it was blasted by 25 points 87-62.

This forced the Philippines to qualify for the quarterfinals through the back door, eventually doing that after blowing out Qatar 80-41.

But Gilas still seemed a bit far away from the podium at this point, especially after losing a 21-point lead against Iran in the quarterfinals and had to bank on Brownlee’s endgame heroics to pull off an 84-83 decision in the end. This was especially because they now had to play the reigning champion Chinese team in the semifinals.

Could this team overcome the home team that was humming at this point? It certainly looked it wouldn’t when Gilas spotted China a 20-point advantage early in their semis matchup. The Chinese, working like a well-oiled machine, shot 57 percent in the first half to race to a 48-30 lead. The Filipinos made some inroads in the third quarter, with Brownlee scoring 10 points to pare that deficit down to 62-50 going into the final period.

Still, the Chinese didn’t look like they were bound to capitulate, that was until Brownlee, showing the mettle of a transcendent star in the mold of the Loyzagas, Bernardos and Allan Caidics of the past, exploded in the fourth quarter, scoring 17 of his game-high 33 points, including the last two three-pointers, the first of which cut the Chinese lead to 76-74 with 58.1 seconds left and the last giving the Filipinos a 77-76 edge with 23.3 ticks to go that stood until the end, as the Philippines broke through its biggest tormentor in the past five decades.

“Coach Tim (Cone), he told us before the game to be something special to win this game,” Brownlee said after the stirring comeback win that marked the first time the Philippines beat the Chinese two straight times after that FIBA World Cup blowout and sent them into a return match, this time for the gold medal itself, against Jordan, which blasted Chinese Taipei 90-71 in the other semis match.

In the finals against Hollis-Jefferson and the Jordanians, the Filipinos never allowed themselves to be headed early unlike in their first meeting, racing to a 28-15 lead early in the second quarter. But Jordan, with Hollis-Jefferson heating up, unloaded an 11-0 bomb to make it a nip-and-tuck battle, even taking the lead at 31-29 before Gilas tied it at the half at 31-all.

But with Newsome, Thompson and Oftana stepping up with the Jordanian defense focused on Brownlee, the Filipinos grabbed the lead for good at 40-37, closing out the third frame with a 14-4 blast to take a 51-41 advantage into the fourth quarter.

The Philippines never wavered in the payoff period, clamping down on the Jordanians on defense even as Kouame, who had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds to go with five steals and two blocks, scored eight points in the last six minutes to help hold off the Falcons.

The Filipinos are shown here celebrating shortly after holding off Jordan 70-60 in the finals. (Photo by Lee Jin-man of The Associated Press)

It was Kouame, Newsome and Thompson who made the difference this time with Brownlee unable to take off with the Jordanian defense keying on him, no matter if Brownlee also had a double-double of his own with a team-high 20 points and 10 rebounds to go with five assists and two steals. Newsome contributed 13 points while helping hold Jefferson to a miserable 8-of-29 shooting from the floor as the latter had to work hard for his 24 points that went with 12 rebounds and five assists. Thompson, meanwhile, chipped in with 11 points, five rebounds and three assists while serving as the primary ballhandler for the Filipinos.

“Our guys were just really disciplined tonight. It was just a good game by us tonight and they (Jordan) had an off shooting night,” Cone said shortly after Gilas’ historic, almost-fairytale-like victory. "I thought we just had a beautiful defensive performance led by Chris Newsome. He really handled their star Rondae Hollis-Jefferson really well. He was disciplined, he didn't give Jefferson much room to get to the rim, and that was what we were concerned tonight."

Cone, who is not usually given to blowing horns even during his greatest triumphs as the winningest coach in PBA history with 25 titles, said he knows what this breakthrough triumph means to a lot of Filipinos. "We know it means so much to everyone back home. We're passionate about our basketball. For us to be able to do that for our countrymen is such a huge thing and we can't wait to get home and share it with them," he said.

But he also said an Asiad gold medal for a Philippine basketball team had to happen sometime. “Had to be somebody, sometime. We’re just too good of a basketball nation not to win this thing,” he said.

The 65-year-old Cone, however, may still be downplaying a feat that means a lot more than a victory in an event where the country has faltered over most of the last six decades with the coming of China and Middle East teams into the Asiad fold and the general ascent in basketball culture among countries that the Filipinos used to beat.

“Witnessing our Gilas Pilipinas take back the Asian basketball throne was one of the monumental victories for Team Philippines here in Hangzhou,” Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachmann, whose own father Kurt was a member of that 1962 Asian Games champion team, said. “My father, who was a part of the team that last won the gold at the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta, would be very proud of this Gilas squad, who showed resilience and team spirit.”

“It was awesome, unbelievable, unforgettable, which filled me with many precious moments,” PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas, meanwhile, said. “We were happy with being No. 4. But when we beat China, it dawned on us that we could be No. 1, and there was no turning back after that.”

Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino might have put it best when he said that Gilas Pilipinas’ gold-medal breakthrough after 61 years “is worth a thousand golds.

“Of course we have (gold medalists) EJ Obiena and Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez from jiu-jitsu and all our other athletes,” Tolentino said. “But that (gold in basketball) was worth a thousand golds. It’s God’s will. Our prayers were answered.”

Indeed, the Philippines might win the basketball gold again in future Asian Games, or it might not for however long it might take, but one thing is certain: This victory will forever be etched in the minds and hearts of every basketball-loving Filipino as it serves as a true benchmark. It’s one for the ages.

#basketball #gilas pilipinas #asian games

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anshraa99 · 11 months

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Carmelo Anthony Retires From NBA After 19 Seasons

Carmelo Anthony, the former Knicks star and one of the greatest scorers in N.B.A. history, announced his retirement on Monday, calling the farewell after 19 seasons “bittersweet.” Anthony, 38, last played in April 2022 as a reserve for the Los Angeles Lakers and spent the final few seasons of his career in more limited roles. “Now the time has come for me to say goodbye, to the court where I made…

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aqsaa8685 · 11 months

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Carmelo Anthony Retires From NBA After 19 Seasons

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ansraali · 11 months

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Carmelo Anthony Retires From NBA After 19 Seasons

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amdia80 · 11 months

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Carmelo Anthony Retires From NBA After 19 Seasons

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iqrakanjri7878 · 11 months

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Carmelo Anthony Retires From NBA After 19 Seasons

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iqra8482 · 11 months

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Carmelo Anthony Retires From NBA After 19 Seasons

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dan6085 · 1 year

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Here are 20 of the best big men in NBA history, in no particular order, along with a brief explanation of their achievements and impact on the game:

1. Wilt Chamberlain - A dominant scorer and rebounder who holds numerous NBA records, including the most points scored in a single game (100).

2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - A six-time NBA MVP and the league's all-time leading scorer, known for his signature "skyhook" shot.

3. Shaquille O'Neal - A four-time NBA champion and three-time Finals MVP, known for his size, strength, and dominant post play.

4. Bill Russell - A 11-time NBA champion and five-time MVP, known for his defensive prowess and leadership.

5. Hakeem Olajuwon - A two-time NBA champion and Finals MVP, known for his combination of scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking abilities.

6. Tim Duncan - A five-time NBA champion and two-time MVP, known for his consistency, leadership, and fundamental post play.

7. Kevin Garnett - An MVP and NBA champion known for his versatile game, defensive prowess, and intensity.

8. Moses Malone - A three-time NBA MVP and NBA champion known for his rebounding, scoring, and durability.

9. David Robinson - A two-time NBA champion and MVP known for his all-around game, including his scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking ability.

10. Patrick Ewing - A Hall of Famer known for his scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking ability, as well as his leadership.

11. Karl Malone - A two-time MVP and one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, known for his consistency and durability.

12. Charles Barkley - An MVP and Hall of Famer known for his rebounding, scoring, and all-around game, as well as his outspoken personality.

13. Dirk Nowitzki - An NBA champion and MVP known for his scoring, shooting, and clutch performances.

14. Yao Ming - A dominant center from China who helped popularize basketball in his home country and was known for his scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking ability.

15. George Mikan - A pioneer of the game known for his size and scoring ability, and a key figure in the early years of the NBA.

16. Bob Pettit - A two-time MVP and NBA champion known for his scoring, rebounding, and all-around game, and a key figure in the early years of the NBA.

17. Willis Reed - A two-time NBA champion and Finals MVP known for his leadership and clutch performances, including his famous "limping onto the court" moment in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals.

18. Elvin Hayes - A Hall of Famer known for his scoring, rebounding, and durability, and one of the greatest players in Houston Rockets history.

19. Wes Unseld - A Hall of Famer known for his rebounding, passing, and leadership, and a key figure in the early years of the Washington Wizards franchise.

20. Shaquille O'Neal - A dominant force in the NBA known for his size, strength, and dominant post play, and one of the most popular players in NBA history.

These big men have all made significant contributions to the game of basketball through their unique skills, achievements, and impact on the game.

Here are some additional details on some of the big men listed above:

1. Wilt Chamberlain - In addition to his scoring and rebounding records, Chamberlain was also known for his durability and endurance, playing in every game of his career except for the season he was injured.

2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - In addition to his scoring records, Abdul-Jabbar was also known for his longevity, playing for 20 seasons and winning six NBA championships.

3. Shaquille O'Neal - In addition to his dominance on the court, O'Neal was known for his larger-than-life personality and sense of humor, which made him a fan favorite.

4. Bill Russell - In addition to his basketball achievements, Russell was also a civil rights activist who spoke out against racism and discrimination.

5. Hakeem Olajuwon - Olajuwon was known for his footwork and agility, which allowed him to score and defend effectively both inside and outside the paint.

6. Tim Duncan - Duncan was known for his quiet leadership and consistency, and for being one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history.

7. Kevin Garnett - Garnett was known for his intensity and passion for the game, and for being one of the most versatile big men in NBA history.

8. Moses Malone - Malone was known for his toughness and durability, playing in over 1,300 games over his career and leading the league in rebounding six times.

9. David Robinson - Robinson was known for his athleticism and versatility, and for being one of the greatest centers in NBA history.

10. Patrick Ewing - Ewing was known for his scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking ability, and for leading the New York Knicks to two NBA Finals appearances in the 1990s.

11. Karl Malone - Malone was known for his physicality and consistency, and for being one of the greatest players in Utah Jazz history.

12. Charles Barkley - Barkley was known for his rebounding, scoring, and all-around game, and for being one of the most outspoken and controversial players in NBA history.

13. Dirk Nowitzki - Nowitzki was known for his shooting, scoring, and clutch performances, and for leading the Dallas Mavericks to their first NBA championship in 2011.

14. Yao Ming - Yao was known for his size and skill, and for helping to popularize basketball in China and around the world.

15. George Mikan - Mikan was known for his scoring ability and for being a dominant force in the early years of the NBA.

16. Bob Pettit - Pettit was known for his scoring, rebounding, and all-around game, and for being one of the greatest players in NBA history.

17. Willis Reed - Reed was known for his toughness and leadership, and for leading the New York Knicks to their first NBA championship in 1970.

18. Elvin Hayes - Hayes was known for his scoring, rebounding, and durability, and for being one of the greatest players in Houston Rockets history.

19. Wes Unseld - Unseld was known for his rebounding, passing, and leadership, and for being a key figure in the early years of the Washington Wizards franchise.

20. Shaquille O'Neal - As mentioned earlier, O'Neal was a dominant force in the NBA who was known for his size, strength, and dominant post play, as well as his larger-than-life personality and sense of humor.

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jaycmall · 1 year

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[SI] Charles Barkley on LeBron James: “No scandal. To be, number one, ready at 18, to where he is 20 years later, the greatest scorer in NBA history. I think it’s the greatest story in sports history. For a guy to be that good from Day One and never screw up is amazing.”

http://dlvr.it/SlZGpq

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smokeybrandreviews · 1 year

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NBA Rant: Ash Ketchum

LeBron became the All-Time Leading Scorer in the NBA a few weeks ago and cats are claiming that makes him the greatest to ever play. I disagree. Strongly. The greatest to ever do it is Michael Jordan. Cats tend to lean into Bron's statistical dominance to prove their point and I guess they have a valid position. The NBA is heavy into Analytics nowadays, Moneyball ruined sports, so by those very crunchable numbers, Bron is the dude. But I don't distill a person's worth down to an over/under average. I can't. Stuff like that might help in terms of constructing a coaching scheme or identifying places one can improve their game, but to claim that sh*t is what makes you the greatest to ever play, seems dumb to me. Not only does it disregard actually winning, but it puts cats like Westbrick or Harden over the likes of Oscar Robertson and Isiah Thomas. Based on stats, the latter two individual are worse players than the former and that's just stupid to say. But we give LeBron the title because of those individual numbers? Cats make that case like it's not built on a foundation of sand.

Look, for me, Jordan is the GOAT. He will be until I die. Mans dominated the league. Hall of Famers feared him. The statistical advantage Bron uses to claim he's the best is mute because Jordan didn't chase stats like he does. Jordan chased rings. He chased winning. You're ridiculous if you think Jordan wouldn't have been the All-Time Leading Scorer if he actually wanted to be. Dude averaged 30.1 points over fifteen NBA seasons, two of which were missed during his prime years and two of which were after he turned thirty-eight. Jordan wanted titles, not accolades. He didn't care about the stats because that sh*t doesn't matter in the face of hanging a banner. More to the point, Bron has played five more years than MJ and started earlier. Jordan went to College for three years while Bron went straight to the NBA after high school. More than that, the vast majority of Jordan's individual accolades can stand right up there with Bron's accomplishments. So, if those are equal, at least comparable, then all you have left is titles. And Jordan got that over the pretender King, all day.

Jordan has never lost a Championship he has played in. Never. From College to his retirement, including Olympics and FIBA, any time Jordan stepped foot in a Final, he came out the winner. There is nothing but gold in that man's trophy case. LeBron cannot say the same. He's also had WAY more help to get those NBA titles. Every ring James has one, with the exception of the Bubble title which, in its own way, was a gimme, dude has at minimum, two All-Star caliber players. Usually one Superstar and one All-Star. Jordan had Pippen. That's it. That was the help. Scottie f*cking Pippen. Jordan rattled off that first Three-peat with just Pippin. The second, they added Rodman and, l of a sudden, they put up the second most wins in NBA history. Bron couldn't even crack seventy wins with Bosh and Wade on his team, let alone Three-peat twice. How can a guy with all that help, all those stats, have a Finals record of four wins in ten tries? How can you say he's better than the guy who went six times and won six times, just because longevity gave the kid more time to pad those stats? Nah, Bron isn't the GOAT. Hell, he might not even be number two because there's a mamba who has a STRONG case for that spot. Everything I just said about Jordan, can be said about Kobe Bryant. That man was a straight up killer. Seriously, the Tories people tell about the Mamba are insane

Hell, the stories LeBron tells about the Mamba, are insane. The more I look back at this man's career, the more I actually reflect on his work ethic and how he sees the game, the harder it is for me not to put him in my two spot. Obviously, he lacks the stats of both Jordan and Bron but what he does have is pure brilliance. Bryant's sheer tenacity and commitment to the game really left impression the entire culture of hoop. Kobe means more to basketball than Michael Jordan ever will and that's not an exaggeration. Bron got Kobe be on stats, sure, but not in legacy. Not in meaning. Kobe Bryant is Jordan for an entire generation of brilliant players in the league right now. He taught LeBron how to win during those USA Basketball days. Dwayne Wade knew, as good as he was, he was always going to be the second best Shooting Guard in the league during his playing days because he played at the same time as Kobe. Mans garnered that much respect, that much fear. You ever hear Iman Shumpert talk about that game his rookie season in the Garden? That's Mamba Mentality at it's purest and there are SO many stories like that around the league about Kobe. You don't hear those about Bron too often. Also, Kobe went to the Finals seven times and brought home the Chip to LA five of those attempts. Mans was a straight up monster in every way Bron is not and you can't dismiss that just because King James played in ten NBA Finals and scored a ton of f*cking points over twenty goddamn years.

#NBA Rant

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