Who gets your GOAT vote?

The Rationale and Criteria Dictating Selections

The only constant in life is change and nowhere in the world of sports is this universal truth more evident than in the National Basketball Association. Stylistic changes abound and alterations to rules have only accelerated this process of late, rendering the modern game almost unrecognizable when compared to previous eras. As such, the players with the most legitimate claims to the title of best of the best are those capable of playing multiple positions and dominating the league regardless of their supporting casts or the system in which they operate. With apologies to honorable mentions Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, there are only three greats who unequivocally fit the bill.

The Candidates

LeBron James
The best player of the 21st century by a wide margin, his combination of incredible physical gifts, insatiable desire to constantly improve, and almost supernatural basketball IQ make him the greatest athlete whose entire career I've been old enough to follow.
More about LeBron...

Magic Johnson
Calling him the greatest point guard of all time almost feels like selling him short, as he was one of the only players in basketball history legitimately capable of playing at a Hall of Fame level at any and all of the five positions.
More about Magic...

Michael Jordan
Likely the greatest defensive player ever at his position, he was also almost certainly the most driven and athletically gifted competitor of the 20th century and borderline unstoppable offensive force the league has ever known.
More about Michael...