I've been saying LeBron is the greatest for quite some time....among other things, he has absolutely carried teams into the NBA Finals--something that MJ couldn't quite do. When I did some reporting on LeBron from late 2002 to late 2003, capturing the end of his high school career and the start of his pro career, the anticipation and hype and expectations were so astronomically high--and he's eclipsed them.
Plus, he's been tremendous off-the-court. Not perfect, but a terrific model of how to use your stature (and money) for good. In that regard, he's blown MJ out of the water.
From a column I wrote about him nearly three years ago:
"James has been so great for so long that it can feel like old news.
“Old” applies when you consider he’s been playing in the league longer than one of its players, the Detroit Pistons’ Jalen Duren, has been alive. (On the day Duren was born, James was playing in his 11th NBA game.)"
Of course, here in 2026, there are scores of NBA players who weren't a glimmer in their parents' eyes when LeBron was in The League.
I voted none of the above but would include Hakeem Olajuwon. Some of it is nostalgia (I grew up in Houston in the 1990s), but he was the definition of the graceful bib man - able to pass, shoot, and defend with a real sense of fluidity.
It's a shame that Shaq isn't going to be remember as his younger, dominant self and instead as the lumbering, yet still somehow dominant player he became. Young Shaq was quick and athletic. Old Shaq was a diesel train. Both were impossible to stop.
Terry Pluto's book, Loose Balls, captured those special years so well.
We didn't have an ABA team in Chicago but whenever there was an all star game, playoff game or when CBS had the rights, we were privileged to see some of those magic moments & players. Willie Wise!
I do not like basketball, maybe because I am 6'9" and bad at it, but my late uncle would be less proud if I didn't click on Tim Duncan at every opportunity.
Admittedly, I am biased, but off the court, LeBron has been amazingly generous to Akron. While I am not keen on his endorsement of sports gambling, I don't think he has a rep as a gambler as some other former players do.
If this is just men's basketball, I'd add Olajuwon. I judge by four criteria:
1. How much did he accomplish? (Russell is winning this one, with his titles and MVPs)
2. How well did he play? (Wilt is winning this one, with his mind-boggling stats)
3. How much did he influence the game? (Guys like Dr. J and Curry rank high)
4. How high would you draft him?
For number 4, I'm imagining you've got a solid (mid playoff seed) team in a random season. Who would slot in most effectively? The king of this is LeBron. There's never been a team that couldn't use an efficient high-scoring hyper-athletic 6'8" floor general who can guard every position.
Olajuwon checks all the boxes, with his DPOY/MVP/title credentials, his five-by-fives and quadruple double, his African background and training of countless players, and a defensive profile that would fit any era. If you're from Houston, he's the greatest athlete you've ever cheered for.
Of course, if we're not just talking men's basketball, it looks like A'ja Wilson might become the biggest name in that cloud.
I was curious about the lack of mention of women's players here, but I went back to the golf post and noticed a mention that there will be a separate edition of women's FROGs, apparently.
Joe, Joe, Joe … thinking your view on greatness is a bit too narrow. One man’s definition of greatness is reserved for those that change the way the game is played. They saw something different, and when they shared it by doing, everyone else changed to play the game a new way. Under this definition, there is only one (maybe 2) FROGs. That is Robert Joseph Cousy. Before he played the game, basketball was a game of bounce pass to the teammate you are looking at. Along comes the Coz, who looks one way and passes in another direction. In the immortal words of Johnny Most, Cuz “fiddles and diddles” his way down the court mesmerizing his opponents and teammates alike. And just like that, the “game” is changed forever. That, Sir, is greatness!
The second is Dr J, who taught the entire basketball world the game above the rim.
Thanks for the article and inspiring some old thoughts. I will return to checking out baseball stats and ponder if elite defense is better than a 3 run dinger?
It’s “Cooz.” Coz is a sexual predator who wore stupid sweaters in an 80s sitcom. Cuz is what you call your Crip buddy in LA. Also, was very glad to see Holy Cross just named its basketball court after the Cooz, who at 97 was able to attend the ceremony.
You could probably guess my age just by the fact that I voted Wilt as the GOAT and the logo as the addition to the table. Those were the guys I idolized back when I still idolized athletes.
Kobe is why I started watching basketball as a kid in Ireland, getting up at 2am on a school night. I loved him so much I named my Shiba Inu after him (not the beef).
And speaking of Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, there's never a wrong time to bring back the time they both got the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama - along with Vin Scully (and Bruce Springsteen):
Seems there was this basketball day camp thing where Celtics coach Red Auerbach was going to be in attendance (for some reason, Russell tagged along). The coaches of the youth teams thought their job was to impress Auerbach - so they all adopted his coaching style, and berated the crap out of the kids.
At the end of the day, two of the kids were practically in tears from the abuse they had taken. Russell saw them hanging back, so he went over to them. He talked with them a little, and worked with them a bit on the Art of the Rebound. When he'd left, the kids had had their Best Day Ever.....
I've been saying LeBron is the greatest for quite some time....among other things, he has absolutely carried teams into the NBA Finals--something that MJ couldn't quite do. When I did some reporting on LeBron from late 2002 to late 2003, capturing the end of his high school career and the start of his pro career, the anticipation and hype and expectations were so astronomically high--and he's eclipsed them.
Plus, he's been tremendous off-the-court. Not perfect, but a terrific model of how to use your stature (and money) for good. In that regard, he's blown MJ out of the water.
From a column I wrote about him nearly three years ago:
"James has been so great for so long that it can feel like old news.
“Old” applies when you consider he’s been playing in the league longer than one of its players, the Detroit Pistons’ Jalen Duren, has been alive. (On the day Duren was born, James was playing in his 11th NBA game.)"
Of course, here in 2026, there are scores of NBA players who weren't a glimmer in their parents' eyes when LeBron was in The League.
My entire piece is here: https://theinsideedge.substack.com/p/lebron-he-goes-on-and-on-and-on
Maybe the 12th guy should be Phil Jackson? Who better to get the maximum out of all those great players?
I have a neighbor who was a Knicks fan in the 1970s who insists that Phil Jackson messed up that team.
I voted none of the above but would include Hakeem Olajuwon. Some of it is nostalgia (I grew up in Houston in the 1990s), but he was the definition of the graceful bib man - able to pass, shoot, and defend with a real sense of fluidity.
Shaquille ONeal. Entirely different from anyone else.
It's a shame that Shaq isn't going to be remember as his younger, dominant self and instead as the lumbering, yet still somehow dominant player he became. Young Shaq was quick and athletic. Old Shaq was a diesel train. Both were impossible to stop.
Ah, the ABA!
Terry Pluto's book, Loose Balls, captured those special years so well.
We didn't have an ABA team in Chicago but whenever there was an all star game, playoff game or when CBS had the rights, we were privileged to see some of those magic moments & players. Willie Wise!
Nobody ever mentions Elgin anymore
Sad
I do not like basketball, maybe because I am 6'9" and bad at it, but my late uncle would be less proud if I didn't click on Tim Duncan at every opportunity.
Admittedly, I am biased, but off the court, LeBron has been amazingly generous to Akron. While I am not keen on his endorsement of sports gambling, I don't think he has a rep as a gambler as some other former players do.
If this is just men's basketball, I'd add Olajuwon. I judge by four criteria:
1. How much did he accomplish? (Russell is winning this one, with his titles and MVPs)
2. How well did he play? (Wilt is winning this one, with his mind-boggling stats)
3. How much did he influence the game? (Guys like Dr. J and Curry rank high)
4. How high would you draft him?
For number 4, I'm imagining you've got a solid (mid playoff seed) team in a random season. Who would slot in most effectively? The king of this is LeBron. There's never been a team that couldn't use an efficient high-scoring hyper-athletic 6'8" floor general who can guard every position.
Olajuwon checks all the boxes, with his DPOY/MVP/title credentials, his five-by-fives and quadruple double, his African background and training of countless players, and a defensive profile that would fit any era. If you're from Houston, he's the greatest athlete you've ever cheered for.
Of course, if we're not just talking men's basketball, it looks like A'ja Wilson might become the biggest name in that cloud.
I was curious about the lack of mention of women's players here, but I went back to the golf post and noticed a mention that there will be a separate edition of women's FROGs, apparently.
I’d have to go with the all-time great point guard who could also play championship-level center. That’s kind of magical, don’t you think?
Joe, Joe, Joe … thinking your view on greatness is a bit too narrow. One man’s definition of greatness is reserved for those that change the way the game is played. They saw something different, and when they shared it by doing, everyone else changed to play the game a new way. Under this definition, there is only one (maybe 2) FROGs. That is Robert Joseph Cousy. Before he played the game, basketball was a game of bounce pass to the teammate you are looking at. Along comes the Coz, who looks one way and passes in another direction. In the immortal words of Johnny Most, Cuz “fiddles and diddles” his way down the court mesmerizing his opponents and teammates alike. And just like that, the “game” is changed forever. That, Sir, is greatness!
The second is Dr J, who taught the entire basketball world the game above the rim.
Thanks for the article and inspiring some old thoughts. I will return to checking out baseball stats and ponder if elite defense is better than a 3 run dinger?
It’s “Cooz.” Coz is a sexual predator who wore stupid sweaters in an 80s sitcom. Cuz is what you call your Crip buddy in LA. Also, was very glad to see Holy Cross just named its basketball court after the Cooz, who at 97 was able to attend the ceremony.
You could probably guess my age just by the fact that I voted Wilt as the GOAT and the logo as the addition to the table. Those were the guys I idolized back when I still idolized athletes.
Kobe is why I started watching basketball as a kid in Ireland, getting up at 2am on a school night. I loved him so much I named my Shiba Inu after him (not the beef).
Kareem is the most underrated for sure.
And speaking of Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, there's never a wrong time to bring back the time they both got the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama - along with Vin Scully (and Bruce Springsteen):
https://www.tmz.com/2016/11/22/vin-scully-michael-jordan-kareem-abdul-jabbar/
I recall a story about Bill Russell.....
Seems there was this basketball day camp thing where Celtics coach Red Auerbach was going to be in attendance (for some reason, Russell tagged along). The coaches of the youth teams thought their job was to impress Auerbach - so they all adopted his coaching style, and berated the crap out of the kids.
At the end of the day, two of the kids were practically in tears from the abuse they had taken. Russell saw them hanging back, so he went over to them. He talked with them a little, and worked with them a bit on the Art of the Rebound. When he'd left, the kids had had their Best Day Ever.....