The term "GOAT" has evolved over the years. The idea of what the "GOAT" is, has changed, as well as the players that have held this title. As the years have passed and the NBA has evolved both in skills and requirements, many players have come into the league that are worthy to hold this title. With the airing of the "Last Dance" documentary, discussion has been reignited about who the GOAT is. The two main players that are featured in this discussion as of late, are of course, Michael Jordan and Lebron James. This discussion, this argument over who the GOAT is, will never be resolved. For as long as the NBA keeps churning, more players will enter the league and enter the "GOAT" discussion. While it is extremely hard to compare players of different eras due to differing rules, skills, and strategies, we can instead find who the "GOATs" of their respective eras are and what cements their place in this legendary discussion.
The 60s - Contenders: Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain
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Both of these players are likely top-10 of all time and each have several accolades to their name. The man with the most, was easily Bill Russell. With 11 championships to his name, he has the most in NBA history. Bill Russell was a player who took the idea of the best player on the best team to the next level. While his individuals statistics are underwhelming compared to those of Wilt, the 11 championship rings more than make up the difference. His 5 MVP trophies and 11 All-NBA selections are quite helpful as well. The argument for why Jordan is better than Lebron often centers around that Jordan had 6 rings, whereas Lebron only has 3 (has the chance to get more). However, if we truly want to allocate the GOAT title to the winningest man in NBA history, then Bill Russell is the "GOAT".
However, as we know, there is more to the "GOAT" than just championships, something that Wilt certainly proved. Although Wilt Chamberlain "only" has two championships to his name, the man was a living myth. Everybody knows about his 100-point game, however, the craziest part about Wilt was that he was able to sustain this level of production. For six years, Wilt averaged over 40 points a game and over 50 ppg and 25 rebounds in his best season. Wilt has stood the test of time and is still talked about to this day as the man who did the impossible. The man with a rumored 48+ inch vertical and 4.6 40-yard dash at 280 pounds. While this was never confirmed, it might just be possible with Wilt.
The better player and athlete of the two? Easy, Wilt Chamberlain. The stats he put up were unreal. However, the greatest one? As much as I want to say Russell, honestly this one goes to Chamberlain as well. Russell may have had the edge in championships, but Chamberlain consistently had the upper hand in their matchups and had performances that Russell never even came close to.
GOAT of the 60s: Wilt Chamberlain
The 70s - Contenders: Julius Erving, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
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The next decade of the NBA brought the three-point shot as well as two of the most exciting players in NBA history, in Julius Erving and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Both had tremendous potential entering into the league, but no one thought they could ever reach the heights they did.
Julius Erving had a gaping hole to fill in the NBA with Elgin Baylor's retirement. The NBA just lost one of their most exciting stars. Luckily for the NBA, Erving filled this role very nicely. Throughout his career, Erving made 11 All-Star games and seven All-NBA teams, with a league MVP to his name as well. While he only won one championship, his impact on the game is everlasting. He was Air Erving before Air Jordan. His athleticism was unseen and unheard of. He changed the game and changed what people expected from future generations.
Sadly for Erving, this one is a runaway and not in his favor. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is arguably a top-three player of all time, only behind Jordan and James, and some have him even higher up. In his 20 NBA seasons, he totaled 19 All-Star appearances and 15 All-NBA selections, both first in their respective categories. He also piled up 11 All-Defensive selections along with six League MVPs and six NBA championships. If this wasn't enough, he was the creator of arguably the most destructive and talked about shot in history. The Kareem Sky hook. In this era, this shot dominated and the man who specialized in it was none other than Jabbar. No one could replicate his mastery in this shot and no one could stop it. This is obvious, as he is the league's all-time leading scorer. Erving is an all-time player, however, Jabbar is just at the very top of the basketball world.
GOAT of the 70s: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
The 80s - Contenders: Magic Johnson, Larry Bird
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In this era, no one ever came close to the pure basketball skill of these two legends. They had extremely different games, but both were unstoppable in their own right. Both players set the stage for future players with similar playstyles, however, only a select couple ever came close to the dominance of Magic and Larry.
Magic Johnson truly was one of a kind. As 6 foot 9 inches point guard, he revolutionized the game of basketball and single-handedly put the "Showtime" in Showtime Lakers. His flashy and no-look passes dazzled fans, as he considered one of the most gifted players in the history of basketball. Considered by most as the best point guard of all time, he put on a show every time he stepped onto the court. He backed this up with 5 NBA titles and 10 All-NBA selections. His 3 NBA MVP awards display his excellence through the years. No one in this era ever matched Magic Johnson, no one ever stood a chance against Johnson and the Lakers, except one man. Larry Bird.
Larry Bird was never the most athletic player on the court. Nor was he the most flashy. But he was likely the most fundamentally sound player in NBA history. Many NBA players that have played with and against Bird have talked about his trash-talking multiple times, and the extent of it. Bird, however, backed up this talk with game. Over his 13 years in the NBA, he piled up 10 All-NBA selections, three NBA championships, three League MVPs, and three All-Defensive Selections. Bird dominated the NBA, right up there with Magic Johnson. Every time these two faced off, everyone found a way to tune in. They were Magic and Bird. The two went back-and-forth, taking turns dominating in their matchups. They continued like this until the end of their illustrious careers. While both differed in styles of play, their quality was equally matched. In the end, it comes down to personal preference. For this reason, the Goat is the 80s is....
GOAT of the 80s: Magic Johnson and Larry Bird
The 90s - Contenders: Michael Jordan
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Much does not need to be said regarding this selection. No one ever came close to MJ during this era, hence why he is the only contender. Regarded by many as the greatest of all time, MJ really did do it all during his NBA career. He averaged over 30 points over his entire career, leading all players, as well as over 33 points throughout his NBA Finals series. The list of his awards and accomplishments go on and on. Six-time NBA Champion, Six-time Finals MVP, 5-time NBA MVP, 10-time NBA scoring leader, 11-time All-NBA Team, etc. His greatness and legacy exceeds, perhaps, any player in the history of basketball. After all, this article was inspired by the Bulls documentary, "The Last Dance". Even through all the retirements and all the drama surrounding Jordan during his playing years, he still came out as the indisputable the best shooting guard of all time and may just be the greatest to ever step foot onto an NBA arena.
GOAT of the 90s: Michael Jordan
The 2000s - Contenders: Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James
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The 90s was all about Jordan, but the 2000s showcased a wide array of players that were all competing to be at the top of the league. All three of these players have a legitimate argument to be considered the greatest of this era, however, due to Lebron only playing 6 years during this era, he will be removed from consideration. The fact that Lebron was even a contender for this title, even though he only played 6 years shows how dominant the King was early in his career. (Hint: Will be featured in 2010s). Now, it is down to The Big Fundamental and The Black Mamba.
During this 10-year period, Duncan piled up awards, while leading his team to multiple championships along the way. With 3 NBA Championships, 2 NBA MVPs, 2 Finals MVPs, 10 All-NBA Teams, and 10 All-Defensive teams, he had quite the impressive resume. The Big Fundamental proved to be one of the most consistent and impactful players in NBA history. The San Antonio Spurs are one of the most succesful organizations the NBA has ever seen and much of this success has to be attributed to Tim Duncan. An unwavering presence for a dynasty that stood the test of time. Duncan provided the gold standard of consistency for the entire NBA.
The Black Mamba. Earlier in his career, many critics said that Kobe could not be the #1 option on a team and would always be in Shaq's shadow. In this decade, Kobe destroyed this idea. He was an All-NBA player 10 years and All-Defensive 8 years. He was able to capture 4 NBA championships during this 10-year span, as well as 1 League MVP and 1 Finals MVP. He lead the league in scoring twice, including one season where he averaged over 35 points. When Shaq left, Kobe proved that he could not only lead a team without Shaq, but lead them to a championship. Kobe Bryant always preached the idea of hard work and then some more hard work throughout his short life. It is certain, that Kobe's hard work is what allowed him to shine and flourish in this decade.
Now, the GOAT of the decade? This was likely the hardest decision I had to make throughout the list as I kept going back-and-forth between the two. In the end, I chose Kobe Bryant over Tim Duncan for one simple reason. Near the end of the 2000s, Duncan began regressing and lost the title of being a top-3 player. However, if this was about who had a better overall career, this would likely be a different story. But, this is solely based on who was the GOAT of the 2000s, so...
GOAT of the 00s: Kobe Bryant
The 2010s - Contenders: Lebron James
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Finally, the 2010s. Similar to the 90s, only one player contends for this title and no one even comes remotely close. This is of course, none other than the King.
While Lebron only played 6 years of the 2000s, he played the entirety of the 2010s. During this span, he won 3 NBA Championships, reached 8 consecutive NBA Finals, 3 NBA Finals MVPs, 2 NBA League MVPs, 10 All-NBA selections, etc. He has consistently been the best player in the world and has been the face of the NBA for years. He is already 3rd all-time in points scored, and 8th all-time in assists, with seemingly much time left to jump further up these leaderboards before it is all said and done.
The dominance of Lebron is unlike any other. He can single-handedly turn a team from a lottery team to a championship contender. And he did, multiple times, with his first and second stint with the Cavs. He is often considered the 2nd greatest player of all time, with some even considering him the greatest already. Lebron has not taken one step back his entire career and at age 34, he is still producing electrifying plays and dominating teams on his way.
Who knows if Lebron will ever reach Jordan in the eyes of many fans, but either way his impact on the game is unmatched.
GOAT of the 2010s: Lebron James