Poll: Who was the best basketball player of all time? (Now with references!)

[Arbitrary Cidin]

The most popularly thought "greatest basketball player of all time" is, of course, Michael Jordan [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-WkmE1w1Ko]. However, a heavy handful of long-time basketball fans would tell you there's a few other close calls, if not better players. Primarily, Magic Johnson [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KQfSmcThoQ] and his rival Larry Bird [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_nfsq4pTpI&NR=1], but there's a few others out there up for debate to some. I'll give Kobe Bryant [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP_teS6y3e8] and Shaquille O'Neal [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqc51nFsZs8] links and poll slots. I'm assuming the Escapists community isn't the epitome of basketball knowledge, so I made it a little easier with these playoff highlights for each man. So who do you think the greatest player of all times is? If you have any other suggestions, I'll add them to the poll.

Additional players:

Bill Russell [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40iKnaUjz_w]
Wilt Chamberlain
Kareem Abdul-Jabar
LeBron James

I'm lazy, I'll get to the rest in a bit :/

 

[Arbitrary Cidin]

Here's a thought: Michael Jordan was an arrogant overrated ass who should die in a fire after his speech at the HoF induction ceremony. I'd score thirty points a game too if the refs couldn't get my balls out of their mouths long enought to see the game. "Oh, MJ missed a shot? He MUST have been fouled! Two free throws!"

Umm... okay, let's keep this civil.

 

[cobra_ky]

Bill Russell.

 

[JimmerDunda]

Wilt Chamberlan should be on this list.

 

[Shepard's Shadow]

Bill Russell.

Exactly. I can't believe he's not in the poll.

 

[Chiddy]

Michael Jordan, cause thars the only the one i kno

 

[curlycrouton]

Quite obviously Jackie Moon.

 

[dsau]

Quite obviously Jackie Moon.

or coffee black

 

[Nightfall2021]

Pretty rough one, there are probably players now who could beat any of these players in their prime.

I voted Michael (my favorite player was Clyde Drexler) because he was above and beyond the players in his era. It would be like dropping one of the best players in the world now into the sport 30 years ago. The level of skill and training plus talent just makes them a great player heads and shoulders above that generation of players.

Jordan just happened to be one of those players playing the game twenty years early. During his time he became the greatest player in the world, and cemented that legacy in a time of greats.

 

[cobra_ky]

Bill Russell.

Exactly. I can't believe he's not in the poll.

It's kind of to be expected. None of us ever really saw him play and basketball is horrible at keeping defensive statistics.