The post is finally here. I always hear people debating this left & right - but I want to see people get on record and be prepared to defend their selections. Also - when people say "pick your top 10 or top 5" it becomes easy to just throw everybody in there without paying close attention to ordering. So, I'll start

(1)(a) Michael Jordan: Most prolific scorer in NBA history with a Mayweather-like unblemished record in the Finals (though he's not perfect w/ some first-round/early exits). Transcendent talent that defied conventional wisdom on needing a dominant big to win multiple titles. The greatest winner in NBA history. Electrifying, fan-friendly style of play helped endear almost universal recognition as the GOAT.

(1)(b) LeBron James: The greatest all-around basketball player to ever live and the most accomplished individual talent. The league has never seen a more complete player - and likely never will. A gifted Magic-like passer who can volume score with the greatest scorers of all-time. Elite two-way player in his prime who can affect the game in more ways than any of his peers. Never before has such a package of athleticism, IQ, skill-set, natural gifts, physicality and committed work ethic been witnessed in a singular player. Holder of the most historic and improbable title in NBA History (2016). Destroyer of history books.

(2) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Standard bearer of longevity GOATness with exemplary individual accomplishments (titles, MVPs, all-time leading scorer etc...). The single most unstoppable and unguardable move in NBA history: The Sky Hook. The original Duncan "my play speaks for itself" type player who was the epitome of "calm waters run deep" with one of the greatest intellects in the game's history.

(3) Magic Johnson: Transcendent talent that redefined conventional thinking of what it meant to be a point - set in motion a new wave of open-court, free flowing basketball as the greatest player of his time who dominated without being a score-first guy. Got the better of his rivals in a time of great competition. Snake charmer as the floor general and arguably the game's greatest offensive orchestrator.
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