The debate about who is the best in basketball history between Michael Jordan and LeBron James has never stopped. Especially at a time when the Ohio native’s career is coming to an end, this topic is hotter than ever. However, have fans ever wondered that in a reality without the existence of these two geniuses, who would stand up to hold the title of GOAT (best player of all time)?

The history of the most attractive basketball tournament on the NBA planet has witnessed many excellent faces. Each person brings their own unique colors, some are extremely good at creating things like John Stockton or excellent in defense like Scottie Pippen. However, to be recognized as a GOAT, that player must be good in almost every aspect of the orange ball that comes with many titles. Therefore, the 5 names below may somewhat meet the above conditions.

1.Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Notable titles: 6-time NBA champion (1971, 1980 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988), 2-time Finals MVP (1971, 1985), 6 MVP titles (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980 ), 19 times in the all-season team (10 times in team 1, 9 times in team 2), 19 times All Star, Best Rookie of 1970,…

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or real name Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. can be said to be the first player that fans think of for the GOAT title if Michael Jordan and LeBron James did not exist. The legendary striker has conquered almost every title a player can dream of, except “Best Defensive Player”. Kareem is not too famous in this aspect, not because he doesn’t play defense well enough, but perhaps because of his “unmatched” ability on the offensive front.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar possesses the famous “Sky Hook” technique that is still praised by people as unstoppable. In an era of outstanding strikers, he stands above them all. What makes him so highly appreciated is that the legend wearing shirt number 33 almost single-handedly led the small team Milwaukee Bucks to the championship in 1971. This achievement alone could have brought his son New York enters the legendary temple. However, he has done much more than that since the day he switched to the purple and yellow shirt of the Los Angeles Lakers.

On the West Coast of the United States, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar brought 5 more championship rings to his personal collection. At the Lakers, he also set a record when he became the oldest MVP in history at the age of 38 years and 54 days in 1985. The number of 38,387 points set by Kareem has yet to be broken by anyone. This is truly a legend who has it all and is completely worthy of the GOAT position.

2. Bill Russell

Notable titles: 11 NBA championships (1957, 1959-1966, 1968, 1969), 5 MVP titles (1958, 1961-1963, 1965), 11 times on the NBA best team (3 times in squad 1, 8 times in squad 2), 12 times as All Star,…

Bill Russell is loved by NBA fans and nicknamed “Lord of the Rings”. Until the modern basketball era, it can be affirmed that the number of 11 championship rings in the hands of the legendary Boston Celtics will be almost impossible to break. He even had a period of 8 consecutive years of dominance at the top of the NBA. The scary truth is that until now, the Boston Celtics have only won 6 more championships since the day legend number 6 retired.

Although many people still think that Bill Russell was lucky to be born in an era when the NBA was less competitive and there weren’t many competing teams. However, we must look at the issue objectively: he and his contemporaries played an irreplaceable role in the discovery of basketball. There would never be an NBA like it is today without Bill Russell and his comrades in the early days of the NBA.

Unlike the rest of the names on this list, Bill Russell is not so great on the offensive side. However, he compensated wonderfully on the defensive aspect. The defensive wall wearing the number 6 shirt is a solid stepping stone for Bob Cousy, Sam Jones and Hohn Havlicek on the offensive front. It can be said that he is the soul and heart of the greatest empire in NBA history.

3. Wilt Chamberlain

Notable titles: 2 NBA championships (1967, 1972), Finals MVP in 1972, 4 times MVP title (1960, 1966-1968), 10 times on the outstanding team (7 times on the 1st team , 3 times in squad 2), Best Rookie of the 1960 season,…

Before Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, in the NBA there existed the almost unstoppable “beast” Wilt Chamberlain under the basket. Without his great rival Bill Russell, perhaps the California-born giant’s career would have been much greater. However, winning two championships with the Sixers and Lakers during the dominant Boston Celtics era also partly proved his ability.

Having only lifted the Larry O’Brien trophy twice, why is Wilt Chamberlain on this great list? The answer comes from the unprecedented records of this extraordinary man. Wilt’s record of scoring 100 points in a match is certainly one of the things people remember most.

NHM calls him a “living record book” because the numbers he achieves seem completely absurd. Wilt Chamberlain had 11 seasons where he averaged a double double of over 20 points and 20 rebounds. Even in the 1961/1962 season, the legend born in 1936 had an unbelievable stat line of 50 points and 25.7 rebounds. He is also considered a player with the most endless physical resources in NBA history, holding the record for average minutes per game at 45.8 minutes/match and the record for a season at 48.5 minutes. /match (1961/1962).

4.Larry Bird

Notable titles: 3 NBA championships (1981, 1984, 1986), 3 MVP titles (1984-1986), 2 times Finals MVP (1984, 1986), 12 times All Star, 10 times on the team Typical picture (9 times in squad 1, 1 time in squad 2), best rookie of the 1980 season,…

After the era of Bill Russell, Larry Bird is the face who helped the Boston Celtics once again become a formidable empire in the NBA. There is something very special radiating from the Indiana native that makes every opponent who faces him fear him. LeBron James himself also admitted that Larry Bird is the best player he has ever seen.

Larry Bird represents the strong and rugged Boston Celtics of the 1980s. Although he does not possess outstanding physical strength like the names mentioned on this list, in terms of skills, he is probably is the best person. “Larry Legend” is the founder of the 50/40/90 Club when he was the first player in NBA history to achieve 50% shooting efficiency, 40% three-point shooting and 90% free-throw shooting.

5.Magic Johnson

Notable titles: 5 NBA championships (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988), 3 MVP titles (1987, 1989, 1990), 3 times Finals MVP (1980, 1982, 1987), 12 times All Star, 10 times on the list of typical teams (9 times in team 1, 1 time in team 2),…

The last name on the list is Larry Bird’s great rival in the 1980s. It can be said that Magic Johnson represents completely opposite values to his rival in the blue shirt. If Larry Bird is strong and thorny, Magic Johnson’s playing style is colorful, beautiful and entertaining.

Magic Johnson is living proof of a talented player. He can play wherever the team needs him, from his preferred position holding the ball to the center forward replacing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The legend born in 1959 is probably the owner of the best rookie campaign in NBA history when he led the Lakers to the 1980 NBA championship when he was just starting to play here.

Even though he personally declared Kobe Bryant to be the best Los Angeles Lakers player in history. However, in all aspects from expertise to achievements, the late legendary Kobe Bryant refused and ceded the title to his predecessor.

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