If Bird was considered the GOAT before Jordan, why...

[russwest0]

I mean.... yeah. That was his career. You can't discount his longevity when analyzing GOATness

agreed, but many of these guys play at the end of their careers simply to chase career stats and shit.

should it really make a difference if one player chose to retire while he was still going strong vs another player who played for stats until he literally couldn't anymore?

[To4]

I dunno why Magic was considered the GOAT.. Bird was better than him..

[knickswoman]

I dunno why Magic was considered the GOAT.. Bird was better than him..

same reason why bird/Robertson isn't better than Jordan. Talent means nothing if you don't know what teamwork is. Its the same reason why bran doesn't impact as kobe despite the stats.

[Stringer Bell]

Magic winning titles in 87' and 88' really helped his all-time standing, and he usually seems to be ranked above Bird on all-time lists.

The SI cover article during the 85-86 season talked about Bird being the GOAT...He was in the midst of his 3rd straight MVP season.

Magic did have an edge over Bird in rings at the time 3-2, but Bird was considered the superior player. Magic actually peaked the next year in 1986-87, and won his first regular seasons MVP.

[JohnnySic]

Bird started gaving back problems and the last 1/3 of his career he was mearly mortally great, instead of goat great.

[Wally450]

3 rings isnt GOAT material.

So why is LeBron considered in the top 10?