Bob Cousy on why no NBA legend measured up to Michael Jordan: “After Jordan, there's quite a gap”

Before LeBron James entered the picture, basketball’s GOAT debate was between Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain. Jordan was the best and most popular basketball player on the planet during the 90s, while Chamberlain was the most dominant player to ever play the game.

In 1998, Jordan’s Chicago Bulls were chasing a second three-peat and a sixth NBA championship overall. Meanwhile, 25 years after his retirement, many of Wilt’s statistical records still stood, including his iconic 100-point game. Celtics legend Bob Cousy gave his opinion on the MJ vs Wilt debate.

“I think the entire basketball world acknowledges that Jordan is the best who has ever played. I’d put Wilt in the Top 2 or Top 3 centers that have played the game. But in terms of how a coach looks at the game and how it should be played, it’s a no-brainer to me,”said Cousy.

Not only were the Bulls chasing a sixth NBA title in ’98, but MJ was also eyeing a 5th MVP award, 10th scoring title, and, if the Bulls got back to the championship round, a sixth Finals MVP trophy. But as Cousy said, it’s not just about stats but also from a coach’s perspective.

So for Cousy, it’s not about points, trophies, and accolades. It’s about the total package. Jordan played the game on both sides of the ball and excelled on both. MJ was also an excellent decision-maker and a big-time shot-maker.

Jordan made his teammates better and more importantly constantly delivered in the clutch and in the Finals. As a former head coach, Cousy thought Mike was a coach’s dream, and it wasn’t even close.

“After Jordan, there’s quite a gap. Magic, Bird, Oscar, Wilt, Russell, Jerry West and on and on. But the gap is significant enough that I don’t think anyone can sit down and make a logical comparison between Jordan and anyone else who has played the game,” he added.

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While Cousy picked Jordan, his fellow Hall of Famer and one of the best NCAA players of all-time, Tom Gola picked Chamberlain. But of course, Gola was probably biased, because he played three seasons with Wilt on the Philadelphia Warriors from 1959 to 1962. Still, he made a very valid claim.

“If I was starting a team, who would be the first player I’d take? My answer hasn’t changed. The first guy I’d take is Wilt. I don’t think there’s any question that Jordan is the greatest player in the game today, but in my opinion, no one has ever dominated the game the way Wilt dominated. After Wilt, everyone is a notch below – Michael, Oscar, Russell. Wilt is in a class of his own,” said Gola.

28 years later, the GOAT debate is no longer between MJ and Wilt. It’s between Jordan and LeBron James. James arrived in the NBA as an 18-year-old in 2003, and 23 years later, he is still playing at a high level in the league, at least until last season. The majority still consider Jordan as the greatest ever.

However, a 2024 player poll by The Athletic revealed that the gap is closer than ever. Meanwhile, Wilt and Shaquille O’Neal are the two names battling for the title of “Most Dominant Player ever.”

Related: Rick Mahorn roasted Charles Barkley over MJ’s sneaker habbit: “You’re no Michael Jordan”