The Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar-who has been considered one of the best players in the history of the game-doesn’t think there is such thing as the GOAT.
The sixth-time Most Valuable Player told The Undefeated that the discussion of who has been the “Greatest Of All Times” is basically pointless.
"These GOAT discussions are fun distractions while sitting around waiting for the pizza to be served. But they’re on a par with ‘Which superpower would you want most: flight or invisibility?’ Whether I’m included or not in anyone’s list doesn’t matter. I played my hardest and I helped my teammates. That’s the most important thing I walked away with.”
The biggest argument of the sixth-time champion is that trying to compare players from different eras with different characteristics is absurd. All of the players who are, most of the times, included in the GOAT debate belong to complete different ages and style of play. Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar himself. (Bryant and Jordan are the only ones who had a similar playing style).
The former Lakers player said:
"The reason there is no such thing as the GOAT is because every player plays under unique circumstances. We played different positions, under different rules, with different teammates, with different coaches. Every player has to adapt to their circumstances and find a way to excel. This isn’t Highlander. There can be more than one."
For many years, Michael Jordan remained as the undisputed title holder of the GOAT after winning six championships with the Bulls in six streak seasons, only interrupted by his first retirement. However, since Lebron James arrived to the NBA the conversation of who has been "The Greatest" heated up, the fans and media haven’t stopped discussing and contrasting the career of these out-of-this-world players.
Anybody with the slightest knowledge of this game knows that what Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said it's nothing but the truth. Wilt Chamberlain holds the record for the most points in a season with 4,029. Clearly, he was playing in a less competitive game, the only player who had gotten closer to this record was Michael Jordan, with 3,041 points. The Lakers of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar dominated the game with different rules form what we see today. Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant won multiple championships in a distinct playing style era. And Lebron James has reached the finals eight consecutive times in a league where only four or five teams have an opportunity to win the championship.
Although, even when the Lakers legend is right, is just always fun to have this heated debates.