There’s no denying Kareem Abdul–Jabbar’s status as one of the all-time greats, not just for the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers">Los Angeles Lakers</a> but in NBA history. From his dominance in high school to an illustrious professional career, Abdul-Jabbar built a resume few could rival. Yet, when it comes to the GOAT debate, his name is frequently overshadowed. Mychal Thompson, a two-time NBA champion, recently shared his thoughts on why this happens.



Appearing on “Run it Back,” Thompson explained that Abdul-Jabbar is overlooked because today’s fans didn’t watch him play and often aren’t familiar with his legendary achievements. He also noted that many fans’ <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a> memories start with Michael Jordan’s era.



“Youngsters think that the NBA started when Michael Jordan joined the league,” Thompson said. “To me, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the greatest player ever. He’s the greatest high school player ever. He is the best college player ever, by far. And when you look at his resume in the NBA—six MVPs, five Finals MVPs—to me, he’s just the greatest ever”.



Thompson, a former teammate of Abdul-Jabbar, pointed out that as time passes, fewer contemporaries from Kareem’s era are around to defend his place in the GOAT conversation. “I guess we’re aging out. A bunch of us old-timers are dying off, so there’s not many of us left to really defend or speak up for Kareem and Wilt,” Thompson added.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250409_BUS_373759_abdul-jabbar-1-1024x576_da494d34.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-373766" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/09192317/abdul-jabbar-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/09192317/abdul-jabbar-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/09192317/abdul-jabbar-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/09192317/abdul-jabbar-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/09192317/abdul-jabbar-1-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/09192317/abdul-jabbar-1-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/09192317/abdul-jabbar-1-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/09192317/abdul-jabbar-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a shot during a game. (Rick Stewart /Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<h2>A generational problem</h2>



Thompson, who is also the father of Warriors star Klay Thompson, believes Abdul-Jabbar’s exclusion from GOAT debates is a generational issue. According to him, many modern commentators and fans focus only on the stars they grew up watching, forgetting the rich history of the game.


 

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“And you got all these young… everybody’s got a podcast now, and everybody’s a talking head, and everybody seems to be in their 20s, 30s, and 40s,” Thompson said. “They just remember Michael Jordan and LeBron and forget that basketball was played long before those guys came into the league”.



Thompson also emphasized Bill Russell’s incredible legacy, highlighting his unmatched championship success. “And even Bill Russell. Why isn’t Bill Russell ever mentioned? Only 11 championships in 13 years. Do you think anybody’s going to approach that? No,” he added.



<h2>The cycle of generational forgetting</h2>



This generational divide isn’t new. Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade shared a similar sentiment back in 2022 during an episode of the “Armchair Expert” podcast. Wade predicted that future generations will forget Michael Jordan and LeBron James, just as today’s fans often overlook Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.



“We’re not gonna be the ones having a conversation about the GOATs,” Wade said. “I watch players play today and, like, I thought I was good … but they’re way better than me. The game continues to keep moving forward, and so we’re going to continue to see things we’ve never seen before. And the eyes are gonna get younger and younger… And they’re gonna forget about Jordan like we forget about Kareem”.


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<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/golden-state-warriors">Golden State Warriors</a> head coach Steve Kerr, nearing his 60th birthday, has had a front-row seat to some of the greatest basketball talent the game has ever seen—both as a player and a coach. But when asked recently who stands out above the rest at the center position, Kerr didn’t go with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, or Bill Russell. Instead, he gave the nod to reigning MVP Nikola Jokic.



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/steve-kerr">Kerr</a>, speaking ahead of Friday’s game against the Denver Nuggets, didn’t mince words. “He’s the best center I’ve ever seen,” Kerr said, via Vic Lombardi. “I played against Kareem. I’m that old. And Kareem couldn’t do all this stuff. [Jokic is] absolutely one of the smartest players ever.” That’s high praise from a man who’s played with Michael Jordan, coached Stephen Curry, and seen just about every great big man of the modern era.



There has never been a center in NBA history who can do what Jokic does on a nightly basis—at such a high level. The Serbian superstar is currently averaging 29.7 points, 12.8 rebounds, 10.2 assists, 1.8 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game in the 2024–25 season.



He continues to defy positional norms with staggering stat lines. Jokic made <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a> history on March 7 by recording the first-ever 30-20-20 game against the Phoenix Suns. Just days later, he dropped a 61-point triple-double on the Minnesota Timberwolves. For a player listed at 6-foot-11 and 284 pounds, his combination of touch, vision, and decision-making is unlike anything the league has seen from a traditional big.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250405_BUS_370390_nikola-jokic-2-1024x576_c83c9247.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-329575" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/06134914/nikola-jokic-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/06134914/nikola-jokic-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/06134914/nikola-jokic-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/06134914/nikola-jokic-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/06134914/nikola-jokic-2-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/06134914/nikola-jokic-2-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/06134914/nikola-jokic-2-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/06134914/nikola-jokic-2.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Legends left out</h2>



Of course, Kerr’s take comes with plenty of room for debate. When someone with his basketball résumé makes a claim like that, it carries weight—but it also raises eyebrows. After all, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kareem-abdul--jabbar">Kareem Abdul-Jabbar</a> has six titles. Bill Russell holds a record 11 championships. Shaquille O’Neal dominated his era with four. Wilt Chamberlain shattered statistical barriers that still stand today.


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So while Kerr is clearly sold on Jokic’s all-around brilliance, there are still questions when it comes to legacy and championship hardware.



<h2>What’s next for Jokic?</h2>



For <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nikola-jokic">Jokic</a> to cement himself in the “greatest center ever” conversation in the eyes of the broader NBA community, he’ll likely need more titles. The six-time All-Star and former Finals MVP is aiming to secure his second championship, but the path won’t be easy.



Despite another MVP-worthy campaign, the Nuggets have flown slightly under the radar. With a 47–30 record, they’re positioned for a playoff run but aren’t viewed as the clear favorites to win it all. If Jokic continues producing historic numbers while leading Denver deep into the postseason, the debate won’t just continue—it’ll get louder.

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On Tuesday night, in the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors at FedExForum, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/stephen-curry">Stephen Curry</a> etched his name once again into the most glorious records in NBA history. He achieved an incredible milestone, surpassing Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.



Curry surpassed <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kareem-abdul--jabbar">Abdul-Jabbar</a> on the list of players with the most 40-point games in NBA history. With his performance in Memphis, the Warriors guard now has 71 games with at least 40 points, leaving behind Kareem, with whom he shared the spot until Tuesday night.



Steph now sits in 10th place on that list, but he’s close to catching up with other players ahead of him. Kevin Durant, another active player on the list, is just ahead with 72. Above them are Oscar Robertson (77), Allen Iverson and LeBron James (79), and Elgin Baylor (88).



The active player with the most 40-point games in the league is Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, with an impressive 105. Kobe Bryant is third with 122, Michael Jordan is second with 173, and the undisputed No. 1 spot belongs to Wilt Chamberlain, who achieved the feat 271 times.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250402_BUS_368491_Stephen-Curry-4-1024x576_a053c852.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-357908" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/18085642/Stephen-Curry-4-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/18085642/Stephen-Curry-4-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/18085642/Stephen-Curry-4-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/18085642/Stephen-Curry-4-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/18085642/Stephen-Curry-4-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/18085642/Stephen-Curry-4-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/18085642/Stephen-Curry-4-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/18085642/Stephen-Curry-4.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Warriors star Stephen Curry.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Curry sets another record vs. Memphis</h2>



As if surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the 10th player with the most 40-point games in NBA history wasn’t enough, Stephen Curry also managed to pass another NBA legend’s mark on Tuesday night: Jerry West.


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The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/golden-state-warriors">Warriors</a> superstar, with his remarkable performance against the Memphis Grizzlies, became the 25th player on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. West had held that spot with 25,192 points, but Curry, who entered the game with 25,153 points, surpassed him.



Steph’s next target is Reggie Miller, who occupies 24th place with 25,279 points. Above Curry in that ranking are four other active players: Russell Westbrook (20th), James Harden (11th), Kevin Durant (8th), and, of course, LeBron James, who leads the list.



<h2>Curry delivers a brilliant performance vs. Memphis</h2>



In the game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Stephen Curry led the Golden State Warriors with an unforgettable performance: 52 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and 5 steals. This helped them secure a crucial victory in their push for direct playoff qualification, as they are now in 6th place in the Western Conference standings.



But that’s not all, as Steph also reached another impressive milestone: he surpassed LeBron James on the list of players with the most 50-point games in <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a> history. With his performance on Tuesday, the Warriors guard has now achieved the feat 15 times and is tied for 6th place with Milwaukee Bucks’ Damian Lillard. Wilt Chamberlain holds the number one spot with 118.

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NBA legend Magic Johnson, widely regarded as one of the greatest point guards in basketball history, recently unveiled his top 5 all-time <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers">Los Angeles Lakers</a> players. Johnson, who led the franchise to five NBA championships during the Showtime era, has been a defining figure in Lakers history. Given the team’s rich legacy of superstars, his selections naturally sparked debate among fans.



During an appearance on Byron Scott’s Fast Break podcast, Johnson acknowledged that narrowing down a list to just five players was an almost impossible task.



“You’ve got to start with Cap (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). You got Kobe. That’s easy. Those two are easy,” Johnson said. Scott then pushed Magic to include himself in the rankings, to which Johnson reluctantly agreed. “I don’t really talk about myself like that,” he admitted.



Rounding out his list, Johnson added Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James, with the latter being a somewhat surprising choice. “Now, because he’s here, uh, he’ll probably fit in there with LeBron and then probably Shaq,” he explained.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250318_BUS_357809_kareem-abdul-jabbar-2-1024x576_8f090d8d.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Kareem Abdul-Jabbar playing with the Los Angeles Lakers." class="wp-image-323641" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/28184918/kareem-abdul-jabbar-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/28184918/kareem-abdul-jabbar-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/28184918/kareem-abdul-jabbar-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/28184918/kareem-abdul-jabbar-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/28184918/kareem-abdul-jabbar-2-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/28184918/kareem-abdul-jabbar-2-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/28184918/kareem-abdul-jabbar-2-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/28184918/kareem-abdul-jabbar-2.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Kareem Abdul-Jabbar playing with the Los Angeles Lakers.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Magic says 20 other players could be considered</h2>



After naming his top five, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/magic-johnson">Johnson</a> was quick to acknowledge that many more Lakers legends deserve recognition, estimating that as many as 20 players could be included. He highlighted names like Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and James Worthy, along with key contributors such as Michael Cooper and Derek Fisher.


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“But you got Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, you got Clever, you got so many dudes that it’s hard to say just five,” Johnson said. “You almost have to say 15 or 20, and no other franchise—Boston would probably be right there with us—but not too many franchises can say they got this many dudes who were all-time greats… I mean, Jamal Wilkes, it’s just so many guys. That’s what makes us special.”



<h2>Magic on why Kareem Abdul-Jabbar stands above the rest</h2>



While Johnson hesitated to create an all-time Lakers ranking, he made it clear that <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kareem-abdul--jabbar">Kareem Abdul-Jabbar</a> stands in a class of his own. “I don’t really try to look at an all-time greatest list for the Lakers because it’s just too many of them… I would say this—Kobe, one of my favorites. Cap, one of my favorites, because nobody in this league has ever dominated like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and nobody’s dominated this city.”



Johnson also emphasized Kareem’s unparalleled success at both the college and professional levels. “Remember this now—this dude got more championships, and nobody in college did what Kareem did. Three straight national championships and three straight MVPs of the Finals as well,” he said.



“The greatest college player in history by far—there’s no second. What he’s been able to do for the game of basketball, I would say this: the greatest to ever change basketball forever. Nobody’s done what Kareem/Lew Alcindor was able to do for the game, both in college and the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a>. What he’s been able to do is amazing.”

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A key figure in the history of the NBA, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/julius-erving">Julius Erving</a> rose to prominence during his time in the ABA with the New York Nets before solidifying his legacy with the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite his own stellar career, Dr. J has been vocal in sharing his thoughts on the GOAT debate.



Asked about the ongoing discussion between <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/michael-jordan">Michael Jordan</a> and LeBron James during a 2017 interview on Undisputed, Erving made his stance clear. “The Michael-LeBron argument, I don’t really try to settle that for anybody else. I don’t think it should be settled until LeBron’s career is over,” he stated.



While praising <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james">James</a>‘ remarkable achievements, Dr. J acknowledged the extraordinary careers of both players. “He’s done everything that anybody has ever done in the history of the league, and so did Michael,” Erving said. However, he pointed to one area where he believes Jordan held a distinct advantage: “Michael did it probably at, if this is fathomable, a higher level, because he never lost in the Finals and he was Finals MVP six out of six times.”



Despite this, when it came to naming his personal pick for the greatest player of all time, Erving did not choose either Jordan or LeBron. “I think it’s the fans’ argument, not the players’ argument. So I stay away from it,” he said during a 2022 conversation with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. “My all-time greatest player is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250208_BUS_330597_kareem-abdul-jabbar-2-1024x576_3370c896.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-323641" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/28184918/kareem-abdul-jabbar-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/28184918/kareem-abdul-jabbar-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/28184918/kareem-abdul-jabbar-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/28184918/kareem-abdul-jabbar-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/28184918/kareem-abdul-jabbar-2-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/28184918/kareem-abdul-jabbar-2-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/28184918/kareem-abdul-jabbar-2-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/28184918/kareem-abdul-jabbar-2.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Kareem Abdul-Jabbar playing with the Los Angeles Lakers.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Why Erving chooses Kareem as the GOAT</h2>



Julius Erving and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were fierce competitors for over a decade, but Erving holds great respect for his former rival. In a 2024 interview with Come and Talk 2 Me, Dr. J explained: “As a pro, you kind of condition yourself not to put anybody that far ahead of you, and Kareem was always the guy standing in my way… That was the guy who I look at as probably the GOAT.”


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A few months later, speaking to Clutch Points, Erving elaborated further on Abdul-Jabbar’s unparalleled career. “At every level—high school, college, and at the pros—he excelled in a way that no other, in my opinion, no other player did,” he stated. “And validation of the MVPs, validation in terms of championships, validation in terms of scoring titles, records, and the stats, and putting guys in the Hall of Fame.”



Julius also admired the Lakers legend’s ability to elevate those around him. “You become Kareem’s teammate, you’ve got a pretty good chance of going to the Hall of Fame,” Erving noted. “And I would think between, say, in Milwaukee and in L.A., you know, for 20 seasons, if we look at the other players who have made the Hall of Fame, who were his teammates, nobody has a higher number.”



<h2>Other NBA legends praised by Erving</h2>



While Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is Dr. J’s pick for the GOAT, he also acknowledged other basketball legends deserving of recognition. “If I was starting a franchise, I would start with Kareem,” he said on Undisputed in 2017. “I always put Oscar Robertson out there, and Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, the guys that came before me.”



Later, in an interview with Joy De’Angela, Erving expanded on his list of all-time greats, offering six more names to complete his top-ten, though he emphasized that the list was in no particular order: Michael Jordan, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Magic Johnson, Karl Malone, and Nate “Tiny” Archibald.



<h2>Julius Erving’s iconic career</h2>



Julius Erving’s basketball career spanned both the ABA and the NBA after the two leagues merged in 1976. Erving first made his mark in the ABA with the Virginia Squires in 1971, later joining the New York Nets, where he won two championships.



In the NBA, Dr. J enjoyed a legendary career with the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/philadelphia-76ers">Philadelphia 76ers</a> from 1976 to 1987, earning All-Star honors in every season he played, as well as winning the league MVP in 1981. Erving also led the 76ers to their most recent championship in 1983. Both the Nets and 76ers have retired No. 32 and No. 6 jerseys, respectively, in recognition of Erving’s contributions.



<h2>Erving believes he should be in the GOAT debate</h2>



Erving’s illustrious career has cemented his place as one of the all-time greats, and he feels he should be part of the GOAT conversation. During a 2016 interview with Hoop Hall’s 60 Days of Summer, he was asked if he considered himself among the greatest. “I’ll tell you what my modesty says: To hell with modesty,” Erving replied. “I think I should be in the discussion.”



In a 2024 interview with Shaquille O’Neal on The Big Podcast, Dr. J addressed how he feels about being largely excluded from recent GOAT debates. “We preceded an era in basketball of the really, really big money, really, really big hype… I think that in time, justice will be done,” he said. “But I can’t lose no sleep over something that I didn’t have or that I don’t have. I have been blessed in so many ways, my family, my friends, my associates.”

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During the 1980s and early 1990s, the Detroit Pistons earned the nickname “Bad Boys” due to their aggressive and physical style of play. This fierce competitiveness led to great success, including back-to-back <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a> championships in 1989 and 1990, but also sparked an unforgettable rivalry with the Chicago Bulls. At the heart of the Pistons’ success was Isiah Thomas, their biggest star and Michael Jordan‘s fiercest rival.



After retiring in 1994, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/isiah-thomas">Thomas</a> has frequently shared his views on who should be considered the greatest player in NBA history. Surprisingly, his opinion has evolved over time. “When you say ‘the greatest of all time,’ I started with Michael (Jordan),” he acknowledged in an interview with SQUADawkins.



During their rivalry, the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/detroit-pistons">Pistons</a> eliminated the Bulls from the Eastern Conference Playoffs three years in a row, and in two of those seasons, they went on to win the NBA title. However, in 1991, Chicago reversed the tide, beating Detroit in the Eastern Conference Finals — a crucial step on their journey to their first championship. “I remember looking directly in his eyes, and it was like, ‘Whatever you do, whatever you say, we’re gonna beat you,’” Thomas recalled of those intense matchups.



However, Isiah admitted that his perspective on the GOAT debate shifted after his playing career ended. “Then I retired and started saying, ‘OK, let me get something to back up my opinion,’” he said. His research led him to consider the achievements of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. “I said, ‘Wait a minute, time out. Nobody ever did anything like what Kareem did. High school, college, all-time scoring leader, activist — all of that.’”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20250103_BUS_305289_Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar-LeBron-James-1024x576_00d7f7cf.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-305299" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/02194908/Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar-LeBron-James-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/02194908/Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar-LeBron-James-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/02194908/Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar-LeBron-James-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/02194908/Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar-LeBron-James-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/02194908/Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar-LeBron-James-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/02194908/Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar-LeBron-James-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/02194908/Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar-LeBron-James-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/02194908/Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar-LeBron-James.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Kareem Abdul-Jabbar stands on court with LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers after James passed Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Thomas’ final pick in the GOAT debate</h2>



After revisiting his views on Jordan and Abdul-Jabbar, Thomas made another surprising shift. “Then LeBron (James) comes along and now he’s broken Kareem’s record,” Thomas said. “He’s at the top of almost every statistic, and what amazes me the most is that he surpassed Magic Johnson’s assists, who I consider the best point guard in history.”



Isiah emphasized <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james">LeBron</a>’s versatility and impact on the game: “There has never been a player capable of dominating so many aspects of the game as he does. The numbers don’t lie, and neither do the feelings he conveys as the leader of his teams. So for me, there is no doubt that he is the best in history.”



<h2>Thomas’ rivalry with Michael Jordan</h2>



The rivalry between Isiah Thomas and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/michael-jordan">Michael Jordan</a> extended far beyond the heated matchups between the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls. Their contentious relationship has often been cited as the primary reason why Thomas was left off the legendary 1992 ‘Dream Team,’ which represented the United States at the Barcelona Olympics. While numerous accounts have surfaced about what transpired, the full truth remains elusive.


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When reflecting on Jordan’s career, Thomas offered a candid and critical perspective, noting that MJ wasn’t always the dominant force he is often remembered as today. “Michael Jordan in the ’80s — he never won. He never beat Larry Bird,” Thomas said in an interview with ESPN. “You show Michael Jordan going between his legs one time in his highlights against Larry Bird, and that was the game he got 63. But if my memory serves me correct, they got swept — not lost, they got swept.”



Thomas elaborated further: “Michael Jordan didn’t beat Larry Bird. He never beat Magic (Johnson) or Kareem.” Drawing a sharp contrast between their careers, he concluded, “Truth be told, I beat Magic and Kareem, and I beat Larry Bird and his Celtics. Michael Jordan never beat those teams.”

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<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kareem-abdul-jabbar">Kareem Abdul-Jabbar</a>, one of the NBA’s greatest legends, has weighed in on the debate about the Greatest of All Time (GOAT). Often excluded from this conversation due to the prominence of Michael Jordan and LeBron James, Abdul-Jabbar has defended his legacy, asserting that he was just as effective as Jordan.



Abdul-Jabbar boasts an impressive resume, including six championships, six MVP awards, 19 All-Star appearances, and holding the record for most points scored in NBA history (until LeBron James surpassed him). Despite this, he is often underrated in comparison to Jordan and James.



In a recent interview on The Dan Patrick Show, Abdul-Jabbar was asked if he considered himself a better player than <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/michael-jordan">Michael Jordan</a>. The former center responded that while he didn’t think he was superior to Jordan, he believed he was equally effective on the court.



“I’m not better than him, but I was at least as effective as he was,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “I think the impact you have on the game is how you should be judged. Bill Russell impacted the game. You couldn’t get a shot near the basket. He terrorized everybody for 13 years.”



<h2>Abdul-Jabbar’s legacy in the NBA</h2>



Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has left an undeniable legacy in the NBA, and his achievements are indisputable. While he is sometimes underrated, Abdul-Jabbar has expressed that he isn’t concerned with any lack of recognition he may receive in certain circles. He values the support and appreciation of his fans, who acknowledge his greatness and contributions to basketball.


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