With all of the MJ and Lebron talk I thought it would be interesting to see who everyone would put top 5 of all time.
I cannot and will not list in any specific order....nor can I limit to 5 easily....my 5 today wouldn't match my 5 tomorrow I bet but I'll go: Michael Lebron Kareem Russel Magic I struggled to leave off Big O, Kobe, Wilt, Larry, Shaq, Duncan....and others
Michael Kareem LeBron Magic, Bird, Kobe I know it was 5 but I feel those 3 are tied at # 4 I also believe that LeBron could possibly move up to number 2 before he retires.
MJ was a shooting guard. Lebron is a forward. Lebron is the best forward to ever play the game. MJ is the best shooting guard to ever play the game.
1. MJ gets #1 simply because I can only imagine what he would have done had he not taken a year and a half off from basketball and if he had played more than 15 years. He's among players who played 18-20 years. Had he played that long he would be an outright leader in scoring and possibly steals too. 2. LeBron gets #2 because he's only played 13 seasons and he's already #11 on the scoring list. He's going to be in the top 5 for scoring and assists by the time he retires if he plays 20 seasons total (like Kobe and Kareem). LeBron can very easily be #3 and Kareem be #2 but I'm assuming by the end of LeBron's career, he will score more points. 3. Kareem gets #3 because of his scoring and rebounding ability. I honestly never watched him play live but watched a few classic games on TV and lots of highlights. As mentioned above, he and LeBron can switch between #2 and #3 depending on if you assume LeBron will continue his dominance for another 7 years and plays 20 years total, in which he is on track to score more points than Kareem. 4. Magic gets #4 because of his combination skillset of scoring and assisting. Magic only played 13 seasons so back to the assumptions, if he had played 18-20 like most stats leaders, he would considered just that much better. 5. Shared by Kobe and Karl Malone. I don't care if players can't share a spot. they do in my world so deal with it. Kobe scored a lot of points but struggled to be a leader to elevate his teammates during his prime. It wasn't until the second half of his career that he started figuring out how to lead. Karl Malone is completely underrated. He's 2nd in scoring and 7th in rebounds. Bet most didn't know that. Bird, Duncan, Big O, Moses Malone, and Wilt share the next 5 but not in any specific order. I HATE THESE LISTS
Karl Malone was an awesome player but I would have a hard time putting him among the greatest ever without ever winning a championship.Those other players listed above didn't just win championships but they all won multiple.
I know, but we're ranking players in a team sport, but I know what you're saying. That's why I hate these kinds of lists.
I hear you. Robert Horry won a crap load of titles but he was only a decent role player. It can't just be about titles or Bill Russell would be 1 on every list. But it is noticeable that the greatest ever won titles.
