Who is the GOAT NBA Basketball player: Kareem Abdul Jabber/Michael Jordan/ LeBron James?

Michael Jordan//Getty Images

Michael Jordan tops the MetaScale with a score of 91.4. He dominates LeBron and Kareem with his unmatched accolades and legacy impact on the sport of basketball.

LeBron James//Getty Images

LeBron James comes in second on the MetaScale rank with a score of 90.5. He is excelling in longevity and career statistics but has lagged behind in accolades, thus seeing him being slightly outranked by Jordan in the total score category.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar dominated the NBA for nearly two decades with countless accolades and six championships. Kareem Skyhook shot is still the most unguardable shot in the history of the NBA. He was part of one of the most electrifying dynasties to have graced the NBA i.e. the “Showtime Lakers” as one of its centerpiece and captains.

However, Kareem also had major gains as a social activist, championing for race equality and an end to oppression. He was unapologetic in his quest and was often misunderstood and vilified for challenging the racial etiquette expected of African American athletes at the time. Kareem went as far as changing his name from Lew Alcindor as a result of this social activism.

Michael Jordan is the first global NBA superstar. He popularized basketball through his dominance on the court, work ethic and competitive spirit that resonated with the global audience at a time of social and cultural change. Jordan’s role on the "Dream Team" in the 1992 Olympics significantly increased the NBA's global popularity, making basketball a more widely watched sport internationally.

Jordan paved the way for athletes to rake in millions in endorsements through deals such as the revolutionary sneaker brand the “Air Jordan”, which he created through a partnership with Nike. The brand became a cultural phenomenon that drove the sneaker market while establishing a new standard in the marketability of sports athletes. The brand has evolved into a modern day juggernaut that has ventured into other sports such as football as well as fitness wear.

Through iconic marketing campaigns like "Be Like Mike," Jordan became a symbol of hard work, resilience, and excellence, motivating people across demographics.

Kareem had better teammates during his dominance period. He never won a championship without an All-time great by his side. This is evidenced by the fact that he only has two Finals MVPs despite winning six championships. Oscar Robertson was the best point guard in the league during his first championship with the Milwaukee Bucks. His next five championships with the Lakers were won with Magic Johnson, arguably the greatest point guard of all-time. In a sense, he got carried to the promised land.

Jordan had luck on his side. When the Bull’s dynasty began dominating the NBA, the league had allowed expansion franchises to join the fold. The Charlotte Bobcats, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Orlando Magic became part of the family. This meant that the NBA’s pool of talent was completely diluted immediately, as over 60 players were added to the league. There was weaker opposition for already established teams like Jordan’s Bulls. 

The Vancouver Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors also joined the fold. Most of these teams were in the Eastern Conference, as Jordan had a three-peat in the decade. Clearly, he had a far easier path to the finals as a result of the watered down competition. To make matters worse, most of the All-time greats at the top of the talent pool in the NBA were either forced to retire due to Career-shuttering injuries e.g. Larry Bird and Isaiah Thomas, or forced to quit, like Magic Johnson, who at 31 left the NBA due to contracting the HIV virus.