Wilt did face Russell more but Jordan faced more great players more often. Whereas Wilt only had Russell to worry about in terms of someone who was actually able to guard him, Jordan had a different great player every night. Ewing, reggie Miller, Nique, Bird/McHale/Parrish, Isiah/Dumars, Shaq, Zo, etc.Samphin said:You can argue that the level of competetion isn't better in Jordan's era than it was in Wilt's. Wilt played the Celtics and Russell much more often than Jordan played any of his fellow great players. The league has also expanded and dilluted the talent pool. Players Jordan routinely schooled wouldn't have even sniffed the court back then. So, that argument is flawed, as is every argument when you are comparing eras.
In most sports I would argue that the talent pool has been diluted. basketball is the exception because of its global popularity. Because of that, the way the game has evolved (3's) and gotten much more physical (low post D, emphasis on shot blocking), I would say you have to be better now than you did back then because then you could get by if you were fundamentally sound. Now you have to be extremely athletic as well because of how much of the game is spent in the air shooting/driving/rebounding/blocking shots. The arguement isnt flawed one bit. Its valid because its proven true. Many players have come out and said the players now are better then they were then even with a somewhat loss of fundamentals because theyre so much bigger stronger, and athletic.
he was a better passer cause he had 6" inches + on any center not named Russell. Its a lot easier to pass when no one can face guard you. If youre talking about the best player ever you have to consider that fact because back then Jordan would have been a center. What would Jordan have done against of guys who couldnt jump and who played politely (which I'll get into in a minute)? They didnt have no Brent Barry's back then. Dunking was rare. Wilt and a few others could do it but if it was from a guard it was actually considered poor sportsmanship to show up your opponent like that. When Wilt came along that changed because he had such a height advantage over everyone else.Samphin said:Wilt was a better passer than any center ever and his rebound numbers put players like Ewing and even Shaq to shame. Yes he was taller, but you can't hold that against him. He used what he had and did it better than anyone else in my opinion.
And your entitled to your opinion. But my argument is in no way flawed. :tongue:Samphin said:Trust me, I am not taking ANYTHING away form Michael. To me though, it goes Wilt, Michael and Magic as an extremely close third, maybe even tied with Jordan.