by Bob Gurnett
LIFETIME STATS
(Per game)
x12 all star
POINTS: 15.1
x5 MVP
REBOUNDS: 22.5
x11 NBA Champ
ASSISTS: 4.3
Hall of Fame
Off the court, Russell was almost more impressive. The Civil Rights Movement happened during Russell’s NBA career. He was active and outspoken in an era where many athletes wanted to keep their heads down. In 1963, he marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. in the historic March on Washington demanding civil rights for African Americans. For this alone, Bill Russell certainly deserves to be in the conversation for G.O.A.T.
MAGIC JOHNSON (1979–1991)
Earvin “Magic” Johnson is a name that often comes up when talking about LeBron. Magic was a big, fast, great passer and could play every position. At point guard, he averaged for a career more than 11 assists. He made everyone around him better. He also had the best supporting cast of any player on this list. He spent much of his career playing with the NBA’S all-time leading scorer, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
LIFETIME STATS
(Per game)
x12 all star
POINTS: 19.5
x3 MVP
REBOUNDS: 7.2
x5 NBA Champ
ASSISTS: 11.2
Magic’s stats were impressive, but his game was one to witness. He led the Lakers, who were a high scoring team known for their laid back plays. He didn’t score as much as other people on this list. He didn’t have to. Some say his defense wasn’t as good as some others who would be considered G.O.A.T. This may be true and is reflected by his PER of 24.1. That puts him at 13th overall, far behind LeBron.
Magic retired in 1991 after being diagnosed with HIV. He started the Magic Johnson Foundation to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. Since then, the foundation has expanded to include scholarships and community empowerment centers for disadvantaged urban areas. He spent his basketball career assisting and continued to do that after retiring.
KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR (1969–1989)
Where to start with Kareem? His G.O.A.T. resume is obvious. He has the most All-Star selections in history with 19. He has the most MVPs with 6. He is a six-time NBA champion. He holds the record for most career points with 38,387. He also has the record for career wins, blocked shots, and field goals made. His G.O.A.T. status for some is a no brainer and he is considered the best player of the ’70s and ’80s.
LIFETIME STATS
(Per game)
x19 all star
POINTS: 24.6
x6 MVP
REBOUNDS: 11.2
x6 NBA Champ
ASSISTS: 7.6
Kareem invented the “skyhook” shot that almost every big man in the NBA learns now. He changed the game forever. He also played for 20 years, one of the longest careers in NBA history. He was incredibly consistent over those 20 years. Much like some of the others, his advanced stats are a mixed bag. His Win Shares is the most in history, mostly due to his very long career, but his PER is not even in the top 5. He’s 11th actually.
• • •
So if we’re going by advanced stats, who would have the best claim to G.O.A.T. other than LeBron? You’ve probably already guessed.
MICHAEL JORDAN (1984–1993, 1995–1998, 2001–2003)
Air Jordan is a worldwide cultural phenomenon like no other NBA player before or since. His shoes and jerseys are still top sellers, even though he hasn’t played professional basketball since 2003. He is a legend, plain and simple. It is often said that Jordan was one of the only complete basketball players ever. He had huge athleticism with a 50 inch vertical leap. He could shoot from anywhere on the floor. He was the best defender in the league, and still averaged 30 points a game. He had the ability to will his team to win games. There is a reason he is 6–0 in the NBA Finals. His game was so dominant that there are many NBA greats who never won a championship simply because they played during the same era as Michael. Jordan is the player that LeBron is chasing. If you compare their careers at their exact career games, you’ll notice how similar they are:
According to the numbers, Jordan was a better defender than LeBron, but LeBron was a better rebounder and setup man. Otherwise, their stats are very similar. Their offensive and defensive ratings are almost identical. LeBron leads Jordan in win share, 219 to 214. It is very possible LeBron will have a much longer career than Jordan. Many want to give the title of G.O.A.T. to Jordan just because he was a cultural icon. They remember Jordan as being the best. But LeBron’s accomplishments speak for themselves. Only time will tell if he can surpass Jordan. Some say he already has since he owns Jordan in several advanced stats, including Value Over Replacement player, and is nearly identical in things like Win Share and PER. This debate could go on for years, even after LeBron retires.
LIFETIME STATS
(Per game)
x14 all star
POINTS: 30.1
x5 MVP
REBOUNDS: 6.2
x6 NBA Champ
ASSISTS: 5.3
x10 Scoring Champ
13
WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS
If LeBron James is not already the G.O.A.T., at the rate he is playing, he’s on his way. His PER is the second best in the NBA, his Win Shares are top 5, and his Value Over Replacement Player is the best by a long shot. He is consistent with his trademark 27–7–7 average stats per season. In fact, his shooting percentage has gone up along with his assists as he’s gotten older. During his 2016–2017 season, he averaged more than 8 assists, the most by a forward in history. His 2017–2018 season featured him averaging 27.5–8.6–9.1. LeBron’s stats seem to keep getting better as he gets older. If LeBron continues to be healthy and play at this level, it is possible he could pass all of Jordan’s records and even Kareem’s records. He has several years left, barring injury. He has made 8 Finals in a row (3rd most in a row ever, tied with the Boston Celtics’ Frank Ramsey) and doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
Other than his on-court heroics, LeBron continues to be a hero for Ohio and specifically the city of Akron. In 2018, LeBron announced the opening of the IPromise school. Fully funded by LeBron and his foundation, the school is the first of its kind. It is a public school for at–risk youth. The school provides transportation, after school activities, and even a pantry the students’ families can use if they are in need. LeBron and his foundation also offer job placement and GED classes for parents. Every student who graduates will have their tuition to University of Akron paid for. LeBron recognized that the only reason the little kid from Akron who slept on couches was able to become a champion was help from people in his community. He just wanted to give them the same chance he got.
At the end of the 2018 season, LeBron announced that he would take on a new goal. He won a championship in Miami. Then he came home and won one for his hometown in Ohio. His next adventure? LeBron heads to Los Angeles to bring glory back to one of the most storied franchises in all of the NBA: the Lakers. LeBron is excited about the challenge of leading a team of young players. He isn’t the young superstar with limitless potential anymore. Now he is a wise veteran. Many of the Lakers players grew up watching him and idolizing him. His next chapter will be that of a mentor and leader and it will be his most challenging yet. Luckily, LeBron loves a challenge.
However, many will come for the King’s crown. While LeBron chases the milestones of the players who came before him, the younger players will be chasing him. Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and James Harden are all hoping to have long careers that rival LeBron’s. It is possible that 10 years from now, we will call one of them G.O.A.T. instead. Maybe the G.O.A.T. isn’t even in the NBA yet. The G.O.A.T. could even be reading this book right now. Only time will tell.
LeBron Jame’s reunion with the Cleavland Cavaliers ended in July of 2018 when, as a free agent, he signed a four-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. Can you guess how many NBA championships he will win with them?
GLOSSARY
&n
bsp; ASSIST: A pass that leads to a teammate scoring a basket.
BACKCOURT: The half of the court behind the half court line. May also refer to a team’s guards.
BLOCK: When an offensive player tips or swats a shot by an offensive player.
BOX SCORE: A collection of all statistics for all players from a single basketball.
BUZZER BEATER: A game winning shot made as time runs out.
CLUTCH: Performing well even under high pressure.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE: Getting ten or more of two stats, (e.g., 10 points, 10 rebounds)
DOUBLE TEAM: Two defenders defending one offensive player.
DRAFT: Selecting players new to the league in order based on how a team did the previous year, with the worst team picking first.
DRIBBLE: Bouncing the ball repeatedly. This is how players in basketball move the ball without passing.
DUNK: A shot made by jumping to the level of the rim and throwing it down.
EXHIBITION GAME: A game where there is nothing at stake, for example, a preseason game.
FAST BREAK: Quickly attacking the basket on offense before the defense can get in position.
FREE AGENCY: When a player is not signed to a contract with a team and can sign with any team.
G.O.A.T.: Greatest Of All Time.
JUGGERNAUT: A nearly unstoppable force.
JOURNEYMAN: An experienced and reliable player who is not a star.
NOMADIC: Living without a permanent home.
OVERTIME: The additional periods played if the score is tied at the end of the fourth quarter.
PHENOMENON: An exciting, rare person.
PRODIGY: An incredibly skilled or talented young person.
REBOUND: When a player grabs the ball after a missed shot.
REDEMPTION: Regaining a status that was lost.
RIVAL: A peer who someone competes against.
SCOUT: Someone who evaluates the skills and talent of players for college and professional teams.
SPONSORSHIP: When companies pay athletes to talk about and represent their products.
STARTER: Players who are in the game when it starts.
SWEEP: Winning a playoff series without losing a game.
STEAL: Taking the ball from an offensive player.
TRADE: An exchange of players by two teams.
TRIPLE-DOUBLE: Getting ten or more in three different stats (e.g., 10 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists).
TURNOVER: When the offense loses the ball to the defense.
UNANIMOUS: When everyone is in agreement.
VARSITY: The highest level of high school sports teams.
VERSATILITY: The ability to play the game many different ways.
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