In the Goat Debate I go for Michael Jordan. (Well in the GOAT debate where people would think you’re crazy for saying Andrew Wiggins so I don’t 🙂
The greatest Mind?
I have a certain period to judge things from. Jordan was dominate when I started playing and watching basketball. Before that and even during that I wouldn’t say I was in my prime for paying attention or understanding sports. I obviously don’t have that great of an insiders view.
But my opinion greatest Mind?
Lebron James.
He combines so many things. I believe he would win multiple championships no matter the era. And its not just about basketball.
He’s social media savy, he’s media savy, he’s organizational savy, he’s teammate savy, coaching savy, bball iq savy…. you get it.
He basically understands the whole thing and he did at a young age. He’s in charge of his image. Not only does he have his own agent but his own agent but his own agency. He’s been accredited (or accused) of being the GM of teams he’s played for. He’s a business upon himself.
As for basketball his game isn’t something I would necessarily look for in a player. It’s hard to because his is so unique and hard to duplicate. It’s in the relm of Shaq where their physical nature and talent are almost beyond generational. I feel a large portion of his career was predicated on bully-ball type playing where he used his unique physical attributes to get his way to the net. But having said that another skill he has is his hard work and determination and adaptability which has shown him to adapt his career to todays game.
My knocks on him basketball wise is that he morphs the game to him, has put himself above the team, and isn’t ‘elite elite’ in offence or defense but in part of the system he creates he gets most of the stats and accolades. But that is a big reason why I see him as the greatest mind.
Watching The Last Dance we see behind the scenes more of how Jerry Krause create the Chicago Bulls dynasty. He might not get as much create as he should for the Chicago Bulls success.
Head to Head I see Michael Jordan as the better player (Again I know I’m crazy but Wiggins too).
But with Lebron James you don’t just get a great player. In a way you get a Head Coach, GM, Agent, Marketing genius and Championship team builder. I’m not sure who could rival Lebron James in that. Maybe Bill Russel or Phil Jackson, possibly Steve Kerr (maybe not, but if he keeps winning championships you gotta put him in there) and… I don’t know who. Plus Lebron isn’t even done playing nor have those just previously mentioned dealt with the modern hyper-connected media 24/7 era of the NBA (where Lebon has been dominating in).
Greatest Mind in Basketball? Lebron James.
