What exactly did MJ do to make people consider him the GOAT?

[bkrich83]

Re: What exactly did MJ do to make people consider him the GOAT?

I aint tryin to start anything, calm down.

I only asked cuz if you was born in the 80's, you really wouldnt know how MJ became the G.O.A.T.

80's kids see highlights and make opinions off of that.

That is exactly true.

[RockinDaMike]

Re: What exactly did MJ do to make people consider him the GOAT?

lets see, why i think he's the greatest. he killed every defender when hand checking was involved, he would be first team all defense every year, so lets not forget he was great at defense. But the thing that separates from good players to great players is his clutch factor. No matter what this guy had the ball in his hand in the last minutes of a close game. If he lost, it was always in his hands no one elses.


Well i like to add this as well, if Jordans shoe brand all of a sudden broke away from nike then they would be the number 2 shoe company in the world. thats amazing in itself

[Kobeisgod]

Re: What exactly did MJ do to make people consider him the GOAT?

Before I start, let me just say that I have a place in my heart for Michael Jordan. I literally love the way he played the game AND the way he held himself in the spotlight.

What exactly did he do to make everyone consider him the greatest of all time? I mean, I know he completely changed his game from being a high-flying dunker to a jump shooter when he knew he no longer could fly over people. And I know he became a much more team-oriented player when everyone said he couldn't win a title and was too much of an individual player (which I know angered him). And I know he hit way too many buzzer-beaters in his career to even list. But what exactly did he do to make people consider him the GOAT? When you have players like Kobe Bryant (and I hate Kobe, but the guy is an offensive monster) telling reporters not to even compare him or LeBron to MJ because there simply is no comparison, obviously everyone respects the guy and considers him the GOAT.

My question is why?

He's a media mega star, the most popl. man in the world, didn't publically sleep with a white woman in this culture, and same goes for Ali, Ruth, and Montana even tho. Marino was clearly better then him.

[Kobeisgod]

Re: What exactly did MJ do to make people consider him the GOAT?

It really was a total package for Jordan. The following elements on their own don't make a GOAT but combining them does:

Will to win
charisma
professional image
highlight reel plays
media/advertising exposure


MJ was the most professional guy the NBA has ever seen. He created an image for himself and never veered away from it. Even when there were some scandals against him they never stuck because his entire career was the prototypical corporate/good guy image.

He also was probably the most gifted athlete to step onto an NBA court and unlike other stars he had the fundamentals to go along with his flashy plays. MJ was confident as a player but not so confident that he'd be brash to the media. Jordan was the opposite of that as he said all the right things while having an air of confidence about him. That's something that some of the younger superstars should try to do.

In esccence Jordan was half corporate image half amazing.

that was during his younger days tho.

[The GIGGAS]

Re: What exactly did MJ do to make people consider him the GOAT?

He's a media mega star, the most popl. man in the world, didn't publically sleep with a white woman in this culture, and same goes for Ali, Ruth, and Montana even tho. Marino was clearly better then him.

I would go for the Marino thing if Montana didn't have the rings that Marino doesn't have.

[GSW]

Re: What exactly did MJ do to make people consider him the GOAT?

6 rings. He was an amazing player, a better teammate. He got his team into the game and won with everyone on his team.

Including that trash Luc Longley.

Its more then the rings man...

Career Highlights
Five-time NBA Most Valuable Player (1987-88, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1995-96, 1997-98)

Ten-time All-NBA First Team selection (1986-87 to 1992-93, 1995-96 to 1997-98)

Selected in 1996 as one of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History"

A member of six Chicago Bulls NBA championship teams (1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1995-96, 1996-97 and 1997-98)

Six-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player

The 1987-88 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and record nine-time NBA All-

Defensive First Team selection (1987-88 to 1992-93, 1995-96 to 1997-98)

Entering 2002-03, ranked first in NBA history in scoring average (31.0 ppg), second in steals (2,391), fourth in points (30,652) and in field-goals made (11,513), fifth in free-throws made (7,061), sixth in field-goals attempted (23,010) and eighth in free-throws attempted (8,448)

Closed the 1997-98 season as the Bulls' all-time franchise leader in points, rebounds (5,836), assists (5,012), steals, games (930), field-goals made and attempted and free-throws made and attempted (8,115)

Holds the NBA record for most seasons leading the league in scoring (10)

Shares the NBA record with Wilt Chamberlain for most consecutive seasons leading the league in scoring (seven, 1986-87 to 1992-93)

Holds the NBA record for most consecutive games scoring in double-digits (842)

Holds the NBA record for most seasons leading the league in field-goals made (10) and attempted (10)

Led the NBA in steals in 1987-88 (3.16 spg), 1989-90 (2.77 spg) and 1992-93 (2.83 spg)

Holds the NBA single-game records for most free-throws made in one half (20 against the Miami Heat on 12/30/92) and most most free-throws attempted in one half (23 in the same game)

Shares the NBA single-game records for most free-throws made in one quarter (14 against the Utah Jazz on 11/15/89 and against the Miami Heat on 12/30/92) and most free-throws attempted in one quarter (23 against the
Miami Heat on 12/30/92)

Holds the NBA Finals record for highest single-series scoring average (41.0 ppg in 1993)

Entering the 2002-03 season, ranks as the all-time NBA Finals leader in three-pointers made (42), second in three-point attempts (114), third in points (1,176), fourth in steals (62), fifth in field-goals made (438), sixth in assists (209) and free-throws made (258), seventh in field-goals attempted (911) and eighth in free-throws attempted (320)

Holds the NBA Playoffs record for highest career scoring average (33.4 ppg)
Established an NBA Playoffs record with 63 points against the Boston Celtics on 5/20/86

Entering the 2002-03 season ranks as the all-time NBA Playoffs leader in field-goals attempted (4,497), free-throws made (1,463) and attempted (1,766), second in steals (376) and field-goals made (2,188), fifth in assists (1,022), seventh in three-point attempts (446) and ninth in three-pointers made (148)

Recorded two playoff career triple-doubles, both against the New York Knicks (5/9/89 and 6/2/93)

Participated in 13 NBA All-Star Games (1985, 1987-1993, 1996-98, 2002-03), starting 13 times, and missed another due to injury

Named the MVP of the 1988, 1996 and 1998 NBA All-Star Games

All-time NBA All-Star Game leader in steals (35) and ranks second in field-goal attempts (206), third in points (242), fourth in scoring average (20.2 ppg), and eighth in assists (52)

Notched the first triple-double in All-Star Game history, with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, in the 1997 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland

Won the Slam Dunk Contest in 1987 and 1988, also participating in 1985
Notched his 28th career triple-double, with 30 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, against the Toronto Raptors on 4/14/97

Returned from retirement against the Indiana Pacers on 3/19/95 and posted 19 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals in 43 minutes

... G.O.A.T others need not apply... (for now)...there is no one in the nba that has come even remotly close to any of these things. Besides kobe (3 rings) but all of those have Shaq as a crutch in most arguments.

[ehh]

Re: What exactly did MJ do to make people consider him the GOAT?

six rings with a horrible cast (except pippen)

LOL, his teammates weren't THAT bad. He had the perfect cast of role players for his style of play. He didn't need 4 other all-stars like the '04 Lakers, they never would have won if that was the case. But guys like Longley, Kerr, Kukoc, Harper, etc were the perfect pieces to the puzzle.

Anyway, I was wondering how long it would take for people to start questioning MJ's legacy. The guy was easily the best athlete I've ever seen in my lifetime. I was a huge NBA fan growing up (from about '90-98) and followed it more closely than any other sport. I watched him destroy my Knicks year in and year out.

But even looking past all his amazing stats, awards, records, rings and buzzer beaters.........

The guy was obsessed with winning. His hunger, his motivation, his mental toughness, his intelligence. And perhaps most importantly, his competitiveness is what it all boils down to. You've heard the stories about him fighting teammates in practice, punching them and shoving them, getting in their faces and screaming at them. He wanted to win more than anything, he was super-competitive.

That's why I think there will never be another player similar to Jordan. The superstar pampered athletes these days aren't as hungry as guys back in the day. Half the stars in the NBA were set for life at the age of 25. Even Tim Duncan, hell he may match Jordan in championships by the end of his career, but there's no way he has the same competitive fire that Jordan did.

There are tons of guys in the NBA who were given the same physical gifts yet none of them have come close to being MJ. It's what's inside that made him the GOAT. Guys like Vince, Jason Richardson, hell even Harold Miner, had the same physical gift's from God that MJ had.

MJ never backed down from anything, he brought it every single night. The guy was fearless and determined. It's why he never lost in the Finals.

I'll be hardpressed to find a greater athlete in any sport for the rest of my lifetime.

[3rdAnswer]

Re: What exactly did MJ do to make people consider him the GOAT?

LOL, his teammates weren't THAT bad. He had the perfect cast of role players for his style of play. He didn't need 4 other all-stars like the '04 Lakers, they never would have won if that was the case. But guys like Longley, Kerr, Kukoc, Harper, etc were the perfect pieces to the puzzle.

Anyway, I was wondering how long it would take for people to start questioning MJ's legacy. The guy was easily the best athlete I've ever seen in my lifetime. I was a huge NBA fan growing up (from about '90-98) and followed it more closely than any other sport. I watched him destroy my Knicks year in and year out.

But even looking past all his amazing stats, awards, records, rings and buzzer beaters.........

The guy was obsessed with winning. His hunger, his motivation, his mental toughness, his intelligence. And perhaps most importantly, his competitiveness is what it all boils down to. You've heard the stories about him fighting teammates in practice, punching them and shoving them, getting in their faces and screaming at them. He wanted to win more than anything, he was super-competitive.

That's why I think there will never be another player similar to Jordan. The superstar pampered athletes these days aren't as hungry as guys back in the day. Half the stars in the NBA were set for life at the age of 25. Even Tim Duncan, hell he may match Jordan in championships by the end of his career, but there's no way he has the same competitive fire that Jordan did.

There are tons of guys in the NBA who were given the same physical gifts yet none of them have come close to being MJ. It's what's inside that made him the GOAT. Guys like Vince, Jason Richardson, hell even Harold Miner, had the same physical gift's from God that MJ had.

MJ never backed down from anything, he brought it every single night. The guy was fearless and determined. It's why he never lost in the Finals.

I'll be hardpressed to find a greater athlete in any sport for the rest of my lifetime.

Truthness so close to scripture...

[Kobeisgod]

Re: What exactly did MJ do to make people consider him the GOAT?

LOL, his teammates weren't THAT bad. He had the perfect cast of role players for his style of play. He didn't need 4 other all-stars like the '04 Lakers, they never would have won if that was the case. But guys like Longley, Kerr, Kukoc, Harper, etc were the perfect pieces to the puzzle.

Anyway, I was wondering how long it would take for people to start questioning MJ's legacy. The guy was easily the best athlete I've ever seen in my lifetime. I was a huge NBA fan growing up (from about '90-98) and followed it more closely than any other sport. I watched him destroy my Knicks year in and year out.

But even looking past all his amazing stats, awards, records, rings and buzzer beaters.........

The guy was obsessed with winning. His hunger, his motivation, his mental toughness, his intelligence. And perhaps most importantly, his competitiveness is what it all boils down to. You've heard the stories about him fighting teammates in practice, punching them and shoving them, getting in their faces and screaming at them. He wanted to win more than anything, he was super-competitive.

That's why I think there will never be another player similar to Jordan. The superstar pampered athletes these days aren't as hungry as guys back in the day. Half the stars in the NBA were set for life at the age of 25. Even Tim Duncan, hell he may match Jordan in championships by the end of his career, but there's no way he has the same competitive fire that Jordan did.

There are tons of guys in the NBA who were given the same physical gifts yet none of them have come close to being MJ. It's what's inside that made him the GOAT. Guys like Vince, Jason Richardson, hell even Harold Miner, had the same physical gift's from God that MJ had.

MJ never backed down from anything, he brought it every single night. The guy was fearless and determined. It's why he never lost in the Finals.

I'll be hardpressed to find a greater athlete in any sport for the rest of my lifetime.

it's not just that, it that almost all NBA player since 11 was being told NBA and they didn't have get cut or try out for college teams because of the weed them out system they got now

[grunt]

Re: What exactly did MJ do to make people consider him the GOAT?

MJ became the GOAT when people forgot about Bill Russell.

[SPTO]

Re: What exactly did MJ do to make people consider him the GOAT?

MJ became the GOAT when people forgot about Bill Russell.

Russell=defensive GOAT

To me the greatest player of all time has to at least have some scoring punch. Before Jordan i'd say it was a toss up between Kareem and Wilt the stilt.

[mike01]

Re: What exactly did MJ do to make people consider him the GOAT?

People have pretty much summed it up already very well.

-Brought in a new era of high flying sensational plays.
-The fadeaway
-One of the best defenders of all time
-WILL TO WIN
-6 RINGS
-Buzzer beaters

And a big one for me is....the NBA was at an all-time high when Jordan was in the league. Announcers called him "Michael." The NBA was actually FUN to watch. Even when winning his championships, he didnt rely on his athletic ability to dominate games, he relied mostly on his amazing basketball skills.

[Muzyk23]

Re: What exactly did MJ do to make people consider him the GOAT?

The first thing that came to my mind when I read the topic of the thread was: ' how dare you? '

I don't know what made you make this thread, but I hope it is not Kobe's 81 points game.

There will never be another Michael in any kind of sport. He was the essence.

[BiggestKJ]

Re: What exactly did MJ do to make people consider him the GOAT?

People have pretty much summed it up already very well.

-Brought in a new era of high flying sensational plays.
-The fadeaway
-One of the best defenders of all time
-WILL TO WIN
-6 RINGS
-Buzzer beaters

And a big one for me is....the NBA was at an all-time high when Jordan was in the league. Announcers called him "Michael." The NBA was actually FUN to watch. Even when winning his championships, he didnt rely on his athletic ability to dominate games, he relied mostly on his amazing basketball skills.

He was equally as great on the court as he was off the court. The fact that he had an influence on the world outside of basketball is an understatement. What Hulk Hogan was to wrestling entertainment, MJ was to basketball. He just had this aura about him that oozed "GREATNESS." He made the following popular at his time: Gatorade, Nike and Hanes. I remember I used to drink gatorade because I thought it would make me jump like Jordan, you know "Be Like Mike" (No, really.).

Yes all the accolades and achievements in basketball, help make you one of the best players of all time. But it was his ability to use his skills and try to influence the world through his endorsements that made him Icon. When you thought of basketball, you thought MJ. When you watched the original Dream Team, who stood out the most at that podium. Um....who's shoe had his own logo on every show that signified airness? Consider how successful he was in most of his endeavors.

Remember when Jordan visited China, a different culture on the opposite end of the world, and he had people on their knees worshiping him. There's something to think about. He was just a basketball player to most people in this day and age. But they will never fully understand unless they've had a chance to live during his accomplishments.

Every may make their case on who's the best basketball player ever. Kobe, LJ, Magic, Bird, Russell. Sure, I agree that Lebron would probably school MJ and he might even turn out to be a better baller than Jordan. The best ever, even better than MJ? Maybe.

Greatness is best measured by the influence we have on others even by the smallest feat accomplished. No has ever influenced a sport much like Michael Jordan has. Think Wayne Gretzky, Babe Ruth, Jack Nicklaus, Muhammad Ali, Pele, Jerry Rice. Stretching the limits, by doing things nobody thought were possible.

Greater than Michael Jordan? Simply put, NO.

[grunt]

Re: What exactly did MJ do to make people consider him the GOAT?

Russell=defensive GOAT

To me the greatest player of all time has to at least have some scoring punch. Before Jordan i'd say it was a toss up between Kareem and Wilt the stilt.

I think the GOAT has to win and win often and make players on their team better. Russel avg 15 points a game and avg 22 rebounds a game and over 4000 assists in his career and have to battle the most dominant offensive player ever in Wilt. I dont think they kept records for block shots.

Compare Bill record and Jordan record and Russell come out on top.