Who were the 5 greatest basketball players of all time?

cyismydog · 06-09-2008, 12:52 PM

In order, who were the 5 greatest basketball players of all time. ( Notice I didn't say most talented)
1. Oscar Robertson
2. Magic Johnson
3. Michael Jordan (Wow, will I get ripped for this or what?)
4. Wilt the Stilt
5. Larry Bird,
With Bill Russell and Pistol Pete Maravich very close to being on that list, along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

cloneu · 06-09-2008, 12:54 PM

What no John Starks? He was the man!

c.y.c.l.o.n.e.s · 06-09-2008, 12:56 PM

You have to put my favorite player ever - Doctor J. - on there somewhere.

I would probably drop the Big O down around seventh and bump all of yours up a notch and put Dr. J. in at number 5.

cyismydog · 06-09-2008, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by c.y.c.l.o.n.e.s

You have to put my favorite player ever - Doctor J. - on there somewhere.

I would probably drop the Big O down around seventh and bump all of yours up a notch and put Dr. J. in at number 5.

Sorry, but none of these other guys averaged a triple double, and Dr. J wasn't the best shooter in the world.

Clones85' · 06-09-2008, 01:03 PM

1. Bill Russell
2. Magic Johnson
3. Michael Jordan
4. Oscar
5. Kareem

Coming soon...Kobe

mwitt · 06-09-2008, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by cyismydog

Sorry, but none of these other guys averaged a triple double, and Dr. J wasn't the best shooter in the world.

Would Oscar Robertson average a triple double in today's game? While it's unbelievable, you have to consider the era that each player played in.

I haven't seen many people claim that Magic Johnson was the better player than Michael Jordan.

Clones85' · 06-09-2008, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by mwitt

Would Oscar Robertson average a triple double in today's game? While it's unbelievable, you have to consider the era that each player played in.

I haven't seen many people claim that Magic Johnson was the better player than Michael Jordan.

A lot of players do. It is hard b/c Magic still had a lot of game left when he found out he had HIV.

cyismydog · 06-09-2008, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by mwitt

Would Oscar Robertson average a triple double in today's game? While it's unbelievable, you have to consider the era that each player played in.

I haven't seen many people claim that Magic Johnson was the better player than Michael Jordan.

I think Oscar would have.Have you watched any old videos of him? He was a great, great player. Heck, even Jerry West said he was the best of all time.
Michael was more talented, but I think Magic was a better player, and a lot more versatile. IMO, he could have put up Michael-like stats if he played selfishly like Michael always did.

cycopath25 · 06-09-2008, 01:07 PM

1. Jordan
2. Wilt Chamberlain
3. Kareem
4. Bill Russell
5. Magic Johnson

mwitt · 06-09-2008, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by Clones85'

A lot of players do. It is hard b/c Magic still had a lot of game left when he found out he had HIV.

Michael had a lot of game left when he went and played baseball, too. If his father wasn't murdered, who's to say he didn't win 8 in a row?

cyismydog · 06-09-2008, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by mwitt

Michael had a lot of game left when he went and played baseball, too. If his father wasn't murdered, who's to say he didn't win 8 in a row?

And who's to say Michael would have won those championships if he had to face Magic in the finals every year?

mwitt · 06-09-2008, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by cyismydog

I think Oscar would have.Have you watched any old videos of him? He was a great, great player. Heck, even Jerry West said he was the best of all time.
Michael was more talented, but I think Magic was a better player, and a lot more versatile. IMO, he could have put up Michael-like stats if he played selfishly like Michael always did.

Yes I've seen videos of him. How many points were teams averaging per game when Oscar Robertson played? I say there is no way he'd average a triple double. No way.

Michael would have passed the ball more if his center was the all time leading scorer. You can call him selfish if you want, but he won.

tamjam · 06-09-2008, 01:10 PM

I think if you have Wilt ranked over Russell, than you don't know much about the game of basketball. There is a lot more to it than scoring.

mwitt · 06-09-2008, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by cyismydog

And who's to say Michael would have won those championships if he had to face Magic in the finals every year?

...who's to say Magic wins any if he has to face Michael every year? Michael was 1-0 in the Finals against Magic, afterall.

Michael Jordan is the reason that Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, and John Stockton never won rings. And his baseball career is the reason that Olujuwon and Drexler did.

cycopath25 · 06-09-2008, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by mwitt

...who's to say Magic wins any if he has to face Michael every year? Michael was 1-0 in the Finals against Magic, afterall.

Michael Jordan is the reason that Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, and John Stockton never won rings. And his baseball career is the reason that Olujuwon and Drexler did.

Very good stuff.