The Goat debate has been there for decades and won’t stop anytime soon. In the past people were used to having Michael Jordan being compared to Magic Johnson as the NBA GOAT. Nowadays, LeBron James seems to be the most frequent name many fans consider the GOAT ahead of MJ.
The young Boston Celtics star Jason Tatum who has been recently named the best player in the league for both October and November, is the latest NBA superstar to get entangled in the age-long NBA GOAT debate. Hence, his top six players in history showed where his allegiance truly lies.
Tatum reveals his top six all-time players
Jason Tatum and the Celtics are mourning their defeat to the Indian Pacers in the quarter-finals of the NBA in-season games, yet the fact that he is one of the best in the league, has been established. Tatum, during a chat with Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner on the Point Forward podcast, shared his views on the greatest NBA players of all time.
Tatum’s list included Michael Jordan, placing him at the top, signaling his stance in the ongoing GOAT debate. Interestingly, he also acknowledged two currently active players in his top six. “Mike, Bron, Kobe. That’s tough, I wanna say Kareem but I never saw Kareem play. But I respect what he did. So, Mike, Bron, Kobe, Kareem, Magic, and Steph.”
Starting with Jordan and followed by LeBron James, Jason Tatum’s choices were interesting. Placing Kobe Bryant ahead of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar might be a point of contention, but Tatum, known as one of the biggest Kobe disciples in the NBA, showed his respect for his idol by placing him in the top three.
Tatum’s selection of Stephen Curry after Magic Johnson provides insight into his perspective on the greatest point guard debate. Notably, the absence of Celtics legend Larry Bird has sparked discussions among Celtics fans, but Tatum appears committed to staying true to himself.
Tatum pushing for all-time conversations
Jayson Tatum stands out among the young players today, appearing to have a strong chance to secure an all-time status. While stars like LeBron, Curry, and Durant have already established themselves among the league’s greatest, most players are striving to build their cases in NBA history.
Despite Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo making significant strides with MVPs and a championship, Tatum is poised to potentially surpass their achievements. This season, Tatum is in the MVP conversation, playing a crucial role on the talented Boston Celtics team. Since his draft, he has consistently been part of title-contending squads, with his franchise.
With impressive statistics, Jason Tatum has led the Celtics to multiple Conference Finals and an NBA Finals appearance. His potential to win titles with his team sets him apart, especially considering the strong roster around him. Tatum enjoys a competitive team, and his success could elevate him to all-time greatness in the coming seasons.
However, failure to secure a title with the Celtics may lead to quick discrediting of his many talents. Tatum faces the challenge of delivering a championship to Boston promptly to solidify his legacy as an all-time great, given that he cannot attribute lack of success to having a subpar team.
