When it comes to the GOAT debate, everyone who follows the NBA has an opinion. Most will tell you only two people would be involved — Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, or Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan.
Others who have actually watched entire seasons before that might vote for Wilt Chamberlain or Bill Russell. Others might say it's Magic Johnson or Larry Bird. Or hey, what about Julius Erving, Kobe Bryant or especially, a prime Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?
Frankly, it's all a matter of your personal view, and there is no right answer. But for some reason, the NBA-loving universe is obsessed with figuring it out — or at least convincing others their opinion is right.
Truth is, though, there were amazing players back in the 1960s, and there are amazing players today. So when Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas saw a post on X about James and 1975, Thomas took exception.
"Drop LeBron James in 1975 and he'd win 15 straight championships. Agree or disagree?" wrote popular X account @HoopMixOnly, citing a quote from former NBA guard Lou Williams.
Thomas responded.
"I find it comical and laughable how some not all people think this is the first generation of basketball players that athletically could run and jump," Thomas wrote. "I'm not sure (James) would be the best athlete in 1975 all things being equal."
I find it comical and laughable how some not all people think this is the first generation of basketball players that athletically could run and jump. I'm not sure he would be the best athlete in 1975
all things being equal. https://t.co/U9vsBfoHG8— Isiah Thomas (@IsiahThomas) July 25, 2024
Thomas won two championships as the star of the old Bad Boys Pistons who also featured the likes of Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman, Bill Laimbeer, Mark Aguirre, Rick Mahorn and John Salley.
His point is valid. Namely, you don't have to disrespect NBA players of the past to try to prove the greatness of today. There have always been and always will be fantastic athletes in this league. (And anyone who says the old NBA was filled with plumbers should take a look at regular modern MVP candidates Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic.)
Would LeBron have won 15 championships in the 1970s and '80s? Probably not. The game was different back then. Not better, or worse, just different. But it had some amazing athletes in its own right. James will certainly go down as one of the best ever. But whether he is the absolute best of all time is truly just a matter of opinion.
Thomas, by the way, has gone record and called James his own pick as NBA GOAT.
My original tweet said nothing about skill
it was about athleticism running and jumping https://t.co/fyWKiVkyYu— Isiah Thomas (@IsiahThomas) July 25, 2024
(This article originally appeared on Hoops Wire and was republished with permission.)
