Many NBA fans and Sports fans recognize Michael Jeffery Jordan to be the greatest basketball player to ever live. What I want to know is what makes someone the G.O.A.T. Throughout the history of the NBA we've seen some special players grace the NBA hardwood but is MJ really the G.O.A.T? I say he's not. Most people who say MJ is the best simply point out the fact that he won 6 titles and never lost a finals series. Obviously that is very impressive and may never be done again but I'd like to take a look back at the teams he faced.
1990-91 Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers who were two years removed from the retirement of Kareem Abdul Jabbar went 58-24 in the regular season and finished 2nd in the division. Their former head coach Pat Riley left the team to go coach in New York and was replace by Mike Dunlevey. This would be Magic Johnson's last full season in the NBA. As for their matchup with the Bulls they were severely outmatched and had no way to stop MJ with Magic and Worthy both out of their prime. It's safe to say this wasn't their toughest finals opponent as they finished them off 4 games to 1.
1991-92 Portland TrailBlazers: The Blazers fnished at the top of the Western Conference and were primed to win an NBA title but MJ and Pippen denied them that shot. While the Blazer weren't the worst team to face the Bulls in the finals they sure weren't the best.
1992-93 Phoenix Suns: The Suns led by MVP Charles Barkley were determined to win their franchise's first title ever. but Michael Jordan went on the to have the greatest scoring finals series ever as their was no one who could even check Jordan. The Suns may have been the most complete team to face the Bulls in he final
1995-96 Seattle SuperSonics: The Sonics ran into the Bulls at the wrong time. Jordan came back from retirement and they completed one of the best regular seasons ever. The Sonics could've beaten the Bulls had George Karl put Gary Payton on Jordan, instead the Bulls got off to a 3-0 start before George Karl made the adjustment.
1997 and 1998 Utah Jazz: The Utah Jazz led by Stockton and Malone made the Finals in back to back years but in my opinion they were the team least equipped to beat the Bulls. Their main source of offense were pick and rolls and elbow jump shots from Malone,they never got any offense outside of Malone,Stockton and Hornacek.
I'm not trying to discredit the Bulls but I'm sure if you put these those Bulls teams in the 80's they don't have the same success. Also if you look at the help Jordan had in reaching those 6 championships it's much more than most all time greats. MJ had Pippen,Rodman,Grant,Kerr,Hodges,Paxson and not to forget the greatest coach of all time Phil Jackson. All I'm trying to do is change how we judge players. Judge them by their skills and stats not rings.
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