Every year about this time we seem to have the same discussion.  After the NBA Finals are over and we take a look at the season that’s just been completed we begin to talk about who is the GOAT.  For many followers of the NBA, the GOAT is considered as none other than Michael Jordan.  Most believe this because of his contributions to the game.  Jordan helped introduce the truly above the rim era of the game.  With his high flying aerial assaults on the rim, and his prolific points scoring it’s easy to see how folks would consider him the greatest.  But is he?

In recent years many have added LeBron James to the GOAT conversation.  But is he worthy of this assessment, or are folks just purely prisoners of the moment?  The NBA has spanned over 70 years, and within that time span there have been some magnificent players.  Such names as Russell, Chamberlin, The Big O, West, Baylor, Bird, Magic, Dr. J, Hakeem, Shaq, Kobe, Duncan.  The list could go on and on.  In my opinion, the one player that is forgotten in these GOAT discussions is none other than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

LeBron is a great player, but I don’t believe he qualifies as the GOAT.  The GOAT has to be someone who has succeeded and excelled at every level of the game.  LeBron has racked up some awesome stats in his 15 years in the league, but does that really make him the GOAT?  Kareem has done it at every level in his career; high school, college and in the NBA.  His stats and accolades speak for themselves.

Let’s just look at NBA championships.  While LeBron has gone to 8 consecutive NBA Finals, a feat that may not be equaled anytime soon, he’s only come out victorious on 3 occasions.  A 3-6 finals record is not very GOAT worthy.  Others will always point to Jordan’s 6 rings in 6 attempts, but many forget that Kareem also has 6 NBA titles in 8 appearances.  You can’t disregard over 70 years of history because someone is hot right now.  That’s not the definition of the GOAT.  That title encompasses longevity and excellence at every level of what you do.

Let’s compare Kareem to Jordan:

Jordan was great, but I think the numbers show that Kareem was greater.  This man did it consistently for 20 seasons in the NBA.  He was a national high school player of the year 3 times, won 3 state titles in high school, dominated the college game in such a fashion that the slam dunk was outlawed during his time at UCLA.  Who else has had a shot made illegal because they were such a dominant force?  In addition to all that, he developed what is still the most lethal, unstoppable shot in the history of the league, the skyhook.  And his all-time points record has stood for almost 30 years.

When you strictly look at the numbers and the accomplishments there’s no way you can deny the fact that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the greatest player in the history of the game.  He may not be the “sexy” choice, but he’s the obvious choice.  If you think otherwise submit your comments.  Let the debate begin.