DGS49
Diamond Member
Discussions about the GOAT have to consider every top player in the era in which he played, and you cannot really compare skills from one era to another.
One point of view is, look at the championship teams and consider how they would have done without the GOAT candidate in their lineup. Both Lebron and MJ brought championships to middling teams.
Bill Russell is a difficult player to assess. If he had played on any other team in his era, he would not have won any championships. Had the Celtics of that era had a different but exceptional Center, they would still have won some of those rings. I think his impact is over-rated.
And what about the great players who happened to play for mediocre teams? You can't even name them because if they aren't associated with championships, they fade away after they retire.
One point of view is, look at the championship teams and consider how they would have done without the GOAT candidate in their lineup. Both Lebron and MJ brought championships to middling teams.
Bill Russell is a difficult player to assess. If he had played on any other team in his era, he would not have won any championships. Had the Celtics of that era had a different but exceptional Center, they would still have won some of those rings. I think his impact is over-rated.
And what about the great players who happened to play for mediocre teams? You can't even name them because if they aren't associated with championships, they fade away after they retire.
