GOAT Basketball Mount Rushmore

tarcone · 05-22-2018, 10:13 PM

After a spirited discussion on the NBAs GOAT and hearing about the same topic on the local sports radio show, ive decided its difficult to pick one.
So, what is your Mount Rushmore of the GOATs of the NBA?

Michael Jordan
Magic Johnson
LeBron James
Larry Bird

CU Tiger · 05-22-2018, 10:59 PM

West
Jordan
James
Chamberlain

MrBug708 · 05-22-2018, 11:01 PM

Magic
Kareem
West
Baylor

JonInMiddleGA · 05-22-2018, 11:20 PM

Jordan
James
Chamberlain
Russell

Most surprising thing about this exercise to me?
How long I left Kobe's name in consideration.

SirFozzie · 05-23-2018, 12:26 AM

Jordan
Russell
James
Bird/Magic (Yes, I'm cheating)

Izulde · 05-23-2018, 01:02 AM

Jordan
James
Bird
Shaq

Radii · 05-23-2018, 01:16 AM

Jordan
James
Chamberlain
Magic

Brian Swartz · 05-23-2018, 01:21 AM

It's very difficult. For me …

Jordan
James

That's the easy part for me, I think they're a cut above the rest. But then what? Chamberlain dominated like no other but era he played in blah blah blah … so many ways you could go with that.

Shaq(Detest his attitude but he was an unstoppable force)
Magic

Many others could go in those last two spots without getting a great deal of argument from me, too many to list frankly.

albionmoonlight · 05-23-2018, 09:53 AM

Jordan
James
Kareem
Magic

Warhammer · 05-23-2018, 10:01 AM

Chamberlain
Magic
Jordan
James

Honorable mentions to: Oscar Robinson, Kareem, Tim Duncan

I think the problem with a list like this in basketball is great players on a great team do not put up the stats a very good player on an average team does. So when you go back and look at numbers without context, you underrate some deserving players.

digamma · 05-23-2018, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Jordan
James
Chamberlain
Russell

This one.

CU Tiger · 05-23-2018, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Jordan
James
Chamberlain
Russell

Most surprising thing about this exercise to me?
How long I left Kobe's name in consideration.

I battled with Russel vs West, but ultimately went with the logo.
Maravich gets an honorable mention solely because Im from SC

molson · 05-23-2018, 10:52 AM

To me, Bill Russell is always the most fascinating guy to try to evaluate for these things, maybe in any of the major sports. The stats are not eye-popping. The championships certainly are (and not just in Boston - he won 55 straight games and two national championships in college with a non-traditional basketball power - a school which I don't think was ever relevant in basketball outside of those Russell years.). So then we're left with mostly historical and anecdotal accounts of his impact (my father saw him play a lot and he always thought Russell was the dominant athlete he ever saw). There's certainly evidence that he was the most dominant defender and rebounder of his era, and, basketball people tell us that he brought something different to the game than those before him in those respects. And then we have youtube clips of this giant just flying around smaller and slower guys all over the court.

But his fame didn't really age well. Growing up in Massachusetts, you didn't hear about him in the same way you heard about other Boston or NBA greats. As a kid, I think I knew about Chamberlin before I knew about Russell. Part of that was Russell's cold relationship with Boston at the time, but, even nationally, Russell was never really discussed on that level until people like Bill Simmons brought his name back in the last decade or two. So I think Russell is still probably underrated a bit in the general consciousness of NBA fandom and history, but, I have no idea how high up he really should be considered.

korme · 05-23-2018, 11:15 AM

Michael
LeBron
Kareem
Larry

hollmt · 05-23-2018, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by korme

Michael
LeBron
Kareem
Larry

First name basis, huh? Fancy. But I agree.

James
Jordan
Kareem
Bird

...and in that order.

Neuqua · 05-23-2018, 01:31 PM

Jordan
Lebron
Russell
Magic

larrymcg421 · 05-23-2018, 01:48 PM

James
Jordan
Bird
Chamberlain

ColtCrazy · 05-23-2018, 02:27 PM

Magic
Bird
James
Abdul-Jabbar

MizzouRah · 05-23-2018, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by korme

Michael
LeBron
Kareem
Larry

I think I'm with you here.

korme · 05-24-2018, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColtCrazy

Magic
Bird
James
Abdul-Jabbar

Trying to figure out your angle here

MIJB#19 · 05-24-2018, 05:35 PM

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Wilt Chamberlain
Michael Jordan
LeBron James

.... is what I was expecting to see here. I really have no idea. I've seen too little NBA action to have a worthy opinion. Otherwise I'd have to stick with what little I've seen since the mid 90's (Something like Jordan, Kobe, James, Curry).

tarcone · 05-24-2018, 06:19 PM

My toss up was Bird and Jabbar. I was a Celtic fan.

Dantooine98 · 05-25-2018, 06:37 AM

Bill Russell (11 rings)
Wilt Chamberlain
Michael Jordan
Kobe Bryant

albionmoonlight · 05-25-2018, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

Jordan
James
Kareem
Magic

I've actually given this more thought since I posted it. The first two are locks, IMO.

Kareem at third isn't quite as much of a lock, but I didn't have that much trouble putting him on. I think that he's probably the most underrated of the all-time greats, in part because his best years happened before the NBA really took off.

And there's probably 10+ guys I could have put in that 4th spot. I'm sticking with Magic, but decent arguments could probably sway me.

He didn't make my list, but the most dominant player I've ever watched was early 2000's Shaq. He's the only guy who I felt was just physically unstoppable. I imagine I'd feel the same way about Wilt, Oscar, and West if I had seen them. Overall, though, the balance of Shaq's career, while amazing, didn't make it to my Rushmore.

corbes · 05-25-2018, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radii

Jordan
James
Chamberlain
Magic

+1

BBT · 05-25-2018, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIJB#19

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Wilt Chamberlain
Michael Jordan
LeBron James

This would be mine

QuikSand · 05-25-2018, 02:15 PM

Fun how this has basically evolved into two sure things, followed by a pretty legitimate wave of maybe 5-6 other guys where there can be a coherent argument.

At one point, I feel Wilt Chamberlain was the guy you had to top to become the King. Jordan did it, by everyone's account, and that seems to have lessened Wilt's station here. He still makes my four.

I personally would put Magic Johnson in as my fourth, but don't feel that strongly about him over the next five guys, all the names showing up above. Russell, Abdul-Jabbar, then I'd put a space, then guys like Bird, West, O'Neal, Robertson, and Bryant.

Radii · 05-25-2018, 03:49 PM

From a Mount Rushmore perspective I was pretty solid on my top four, but when thinking about a "next four" the most difficult thing in my mind is where to place Tim Duncan. Warhammer mentioned him but that's his only mention in this thread.

After my four (lebron/jordan/wilt/magic), Bird and Kareem seem solid for my next two, after that it gets real muddy between duncan/shaq/russell/west/robertson and i guess Kobe.

05-22-2018, 11:20 PM	#4
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	Jordan James Chamberlain Russell Most surprising thing about this exercise to me? How long I left Kobe's name in consideration. __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis

05-23-2018, 12:26 AM	#5
SirFozzie Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: The State of Insanity	Jordan Russell James Bird/Magic (Yes, I'm cheating) __________________ Check out Foz's New Video Game Site, An 8-bit Mind in an 8GB world! http://an8bitmind.com

05-23-2018, 01:02 AM	#6
Izulde Head Coach Join Date: Sep 2004	Jordan James Bird Shaq __________________ 2006 Golden Scribe Nominee 2006 Golden Scribe Winner Best Non-Sport Dynasty: May Our Reign Be Green and Golden (CK Dynasty) Rookie Writer of the Year Dynasty of the Year: May Our Reign Be Green and Golden (CK Dynasty)

05-23-2018, 10:52 AM	#13
molson General Manager Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The Mountains	To me, Bill Russell is always the most fascinating guy to try to evaluate for these things, maybe in any of the major sports. The stats are not eye-popping. The championships certainly are (and not just in Boston - he won 55 straight games and two national championships in college with a non-traditional basketball power - a school which I don't think was ever relevant in basketball outside of those Russell years.). So then we're left with mostly historical and anecdotal accounts of his impact (my father saw him play a lot and he always thought Russell was the dominant athlete he ever saw). There's certainly evidence that he was the most dominant defender and rebounder of his era, and, basketball people tell us that he brought something different to the game than those before him in those respects. And then we have youtube clips of this giant just flying around smaller and slower guys all over the court. But his fame didn't really age well. Growing up in Massachusetts, you didn't hear about him in the same way you heard about other Boston or NBA greats. As a kid, I think I knew about Chamberlin before I knew about Russell. Part of that was Russell's cold relationship with Boston at the time, but, even nationally, Russell was never really discussed on that level until people like Bill Simmons brought his name back in the last decade or two. So I think Russell is still probably underrated a bit in the general consciousness of NBA fandom and history, but, I have no idea how high up he really should be considered. Last edited by molson : 05-23-2018 at 10:57 AM.

05-23-2018, 01:31 PM	#16
Neuqua Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Chicago, Ill	Jordan Lebron Russell Magic __________________ Our Deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be?

05-22-2018, 10:59 PM	#2
CU Tiger Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Backwoods, SC	West Jordan James Chamberlain

05-22-2018, 11:01 PM	#3
MrBug708 Head Coach Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Whittier	Magic Kareem West Baylor

05-23-2018, 01:16 AM	#7
Radii Head Coach Join Date: Jul 2001	Jordan James Chamberlain Magic

05-23-2018, 01:21 AM	#8
Brian Swartz Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2006	It's very difficult. For me … Jordan James That's the easy part for me, I think they're a cut above the rest. But then what? Chamberlain dominated like no other but era he played in blah blah blah … so many ways you could go with that. Shaq(Detest his attitude but he was an unstoppable force) Magic Many others could go in those last two spots without getting a great deal of argument from me, too many to list frankly.

05-23-2018, 09:53 AM	#9
albionmoonlight Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Carolina	Jordan James Kareem Magic

05-23-2018, 10:01 AM	#10
Warhammer Pro Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dayton, OH	Chamberlain Magic Jordan James Honorable mentions to: Oscar Robinson, Kareem, Tim Duncan I think the problem with a list like this in basketball is great players on a great team do not put up the stats a very good player on an average team does. So when you go back and look at numbers without context, you underrate some deserving players.

05-23-2018, 11:15 AM	#14
korme Go Reds Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bloodbuzz Ohio	Michael LeBron Kareem Larry

05-23-2018, 01:48 PM	#17
larrymcg421 Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Georgia	James Jordan Bird Chamberlain __________________ Top 10 Songs of the Year 1955-Present (1976 Added) Franchise Portfolio Draft Winner Fictional Character Draft Winner Television Family Draft Winner Build Your Own Hollywood Studio Draft Winner

05-23-2018, 02:27 PM	#18
ColtCrazy College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Midwest	Magic Bird James Abdul-Jabbar __________________ The Field Generals and Statis Pro Basketball Super League

05-24-2018, 05:35 PM	#21
MIJB#19 Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Maassluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands	Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Wilt Chamberlain Michael Jordan LeBron James .... is what I was expecting to see here. I really have no idea. I've seen too little NBA action to have a worthy opinion. Otherwise I'd have to stick with what little I've seen since the mid 90's (Something like Jordan, Kobe, James, Curry). __________________ * 2005 Golden Scribe winner for best FOF Dynasty about IHOF's Maassluis Merchantmen * Former GM of GEFL's Houston Oilers and WOOF's Curacao Cocktail

05-24-2018, 06:19 PM	#22
tarcone Coordinator Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pacific	My toss up was Bird and Jabbar. I was a Celtic fan. __________________ Excuses are for wusses- Spencer Lee Punting is Winning- Tory Taylor The word is Fight! Fight! Fight! For Iowa FOFC 30 Dollar Challenge Champion-OOTP '15

05-25-2018, 06:37 AM	#23
Dantooine98 n00b Join Date: May 2018 Location: Earth	Bill Russell (11 rings) Wilt Chamberlain Michael Jordan Kobe Bryant

05-25-2018, 02:15 PM	#27
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Fun how this has basically evolved into two sure things, followed by a pretty legitimate wave of maybe 5-6 other guys where there can be a coherent argument. At one point, I feel Wilt Chamberlain was the guy you had to top to become the King. Jordan did it, by everyone's account, and that seems to have lessened Wilt's station here. He still makes my four. I personally would put Magic Johnson in as my fourth, but don't feel that strongly about him over the next five guys, all the names showing up above. Russell, Abdul-Jabbar, then I'd put a space, then guys like Bird, West, O'Neal, Robertson, and Bryant.

05-25-2018, 03:49 PM	#28
Radii Head Coach Join Date: Jul 2001	From a Mount Rushmore perspective I was pretty solid on my top four, but when thinking about a "next four" the most difficult thing in my mind is where to place Tim Duncan. Warhammer mentioned him but that's his only mention in this thread. After my four (lebron/jordan/wilt/magic), Bird and Kareem seem solid for my next two, after that it gets real muddy between duncan/shaq/russell/west/robertson and i guess Kobe.

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