2007-03-26 16:59:10 · 7 answers · asked by 50/50 3 in Sports ➔ Basketball
The way that I determine a players greatness is by his all-around ability.
Championships are a team accomplishment, and although I agree that there was no greater winner than Bill Russell, he did have great teammates around him. If you put him on another team, he probably doesn't win 11 titles.
I look for a player who can play his position better than anyone. A guard who can play both the point and 2-guard. A forward who can play the wing or go down in the post. Someone who can involve his teammates and make them better.
The best player of all time (by my criteria) is Larry Bird. He was the most complete player ever, although you could make a case for Oscar or Magic.
Bird simply had no weakness. He could post up, and was deadly from the outside. He could rebound, and he was probably the greatest passing forward ever. He could do anything on the court, but always within the framework of the team.
You could put Bird on just about any team, and he would make them winners. Just look at what he did in college with ISU. He took a mediocre team to the NCAA championship. Then, he joined a Celtic team that had only won 29 games, and turned them into 61 game winners.
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"Maravchi"..... Wilt vs. Russell head to head:
Wilt:) 28.7 ppg, 28.7 rpg
Russell:) 14.5 ppg, 27.3 rpg
However, Russell holds an overwhelming advantage in the win/ loss column, beating Wilt's teams 87 times and losing 60 times. I would hardly say Wilt "schooled" Russell. Bill Russell was probably the greatest defensive player in history.
2007-03-26 17:50:43 · answer #1 · answered by Hoopfan 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Maravich is basing Russell on being greatest by winning championships. The only reason he won is because of his teammates around him. Wilt Chamberlain schooled him each time they played. Wilt only had himself and four nobodies most of his career. He only won after collecting some help.
The NBA changed a lot of rules because of Wilt Chamberlain. No other player was / is/ nor ever will be the dominant force Wilt was.
It should be based on everything the player has done total.
Jordan never was a team player. Kobe isn't either. Russell couldn't lead.
Wilt Chamberlain was the greatest. At his retirement, he had the most points, most rebounds, and several dozen other records. He schooled Magic when he was in his 50's and Magic was a rookie. No other center led a season in assists. If blocks were counted during his career, he would have that record also. He may have averaged a triple-double for his career if blocks were counted then.
In closing, everyone has an opinion. Mine is Wilt was the greatest ever.
2007-03-27 00:37:18 · answer #2 · answered by drewbear_99 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
to me the one way u can figure out the best player ever is by how much they put there heart n soul into the practices and the games. the championships, scoring titles are just rewards for ur hard work. that all it is.
2007-03-27 00:43:20 · answer #3 · answered by mika 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
n the end being great is not about scoring points and making flashy plays...it is about winning....bill russell played in 12 nba finals in his 13 year career,,,,he would've won 12 titles and ten in a row if he wasn't injured in his second season...thats why russell was the greatest...he didnt score the most points, but he did all that was necessary to win...and in the history of the nba...there is no bigger winner than the great bill russell.....
chamberlain schooled russell? aw cmon do some research man...because they played each other so many times, wilt used to have russell over for dinner even on thanksgiving and he used to joke to his mother about feeding bill so well because he always got beat by the great russell....look at russell's stats folks, he was a great defender, awesome rebounder, and could score when needed...he was the best player and center of all time and dont give me crap about having better players....wilt played with great players too especially jerry west and elgin baylor in their prime...go look at the films and see how great russell was especially his games against wilt
2007-03-27 00:13:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋
Easy, you figure it out by seeing if their name is Michael Jordan. Whoever fits that should / is the best player ever.
2007-03-27 00:09:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
its based off of if your name rhymes with Shmobe
2007-03-27 00:13:35 · answer #6 · answered by GHAAD 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i say its all about winning
2007-03-27 00:46:27 · answer #7 · answered by P_Murphy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋