Quote:
Originally Posted by Silverado
Using your "criteria" though...isn't Russell better than Jordan? I mean Russell, like Jordan, was a 5 time MVP, but he has 11 rings....rebounding and blocks leader as often as Jordan was the scoring leader. So, just because Jordan scores more means he's better? I don't think so. I mean Jordan only won those titles because of the defense of guys like Pippen and Rodman and the rebounding of guys like Rodman and Grant.
(And, for the record....while Jordan's 2 separate 3-peats are impressive....Russell has...well, what do you call it when you win 8 yrs in a row?)
Kareem, a 6 time MVP, 1 more than MJ, with 6 rings like Jordan.....leads the league in most points scored....EVER....all kinds of records for him.
9 guys have more rings than Jordan, 2 guys have the same number as him....
I have never once said Jordan wasn't a clutch player who frequently made the right play to win a game. But then why isn't Kobe the greatest? How about Stockton, Nash, Kidd, Iverson, Billups, Magic, Worthy, Bird, West, Olajuwon, Marevich, Wilt, Russell, etc....the list could go on for a long time.
It comes down to this.....
In a team sport, there cannot possibly be "the greatest of all time"....sure, people have opinions, but it isn't quantifiable. In solo sports, you could more easily determine a greatest because their success isn't necessarily dependent on others. Even then, someone may have the most cups/rings/trophies/plaques/etc, but they might still not be the greatest of all time....
|
So Russell has 11 rings with 5 MVP's. I think that shows that Russell had more help in winning then Jordan. Maybe that's just me. And to say Jordan won his titles ONLY because of defensive play, is absurd. I suppose when Jordan left the defense must have left too, since they took an exit in round two the year Jordan retired. And then magically came back when Jordan came back.
And yes, Kareem was a great player as well. And he does have records to back it up. But Jordan also has a few. Like highest scoring average per game throughout his career in the regular season and finals, 11 seasons leading league in scoring, 10 seasons leading league in points per game, Most finals MVP(6), all defensive first team(9), etc.
You are vastly down playing Jordan, imo. I think most people consider Jordan the best because they weren't alive or didn't watch basketball when wilt played. Who is arguable as good, or better than Jordan.