Quote:
Originally Posted by Seahawk
GOAT?
I have a top five that has nothing to do with championships (Jordan without Pippen, Bird without McHale, Magic without everybody, etc.) because it is a team game.
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That brings up a whole 'nuther measure of GOAT.
Lots of individual superstars, Kobe is one of em but he was NOT a team player in any sense. It was all 'bout him. He even threatened to punch Rick Fox for taking a shot when Kobe thought it was his turn. Ball hog who shot 30% on a good day. He had Shaq chased off so he didn't have to share the spotlight.
IMO no NBA player was a greater team player than Magic. He made everyone else on the team better, the opposite of kobe.
A decent player would turn into an all star when magic was calling the shots.
He wasn't the best shooter, or best moover, but he was the best team player. And they loved him for it.
Worthy once said that when Magic was on the court, you could never take your eyes off him. The second you do he'll hit you in the side of the face with a no-look pass
Magic loved getting assists, he loved setting up his teammates to score.
Bird did a lot of that too.
Same could be said about the GOAT in fooseball, Tom Brady.
Not the best passer ever, not the best scrambler, but he makes the rest of the team better just by his presence and influence. He demands greatness and it ain't all about him.
MJ was just as demanding but too often he rubbed the other players the wrong way, got their best through intimidation.
Not many of them really liked MJ and he was just fine with that.