Kyrie Irving‘s livestreaming efforts have seen him address several key conversational topics in the NBA recently. Irving is usually fairly straightforward in answering questions, directly offering his opinions. When asked to share his thoughts on the GOAT debate, however, Irving outright dismissed it. He stated:
“Y’all are arguing over who’s the GOAT. I don’t f***ing care. I don’t care who the GOAT is. I don’t care because basketball is bigger than the GOAT, and even the “GOATs” of basketball will tell you that. Basketball is bigger than the GOATs.”
The Dallas Mavericks guard delivered a passionate, unfiltered response to his livestream viewers. And in many ways, he expressed a very valid point.
The GOAT debate is one of the longest ongoing conversations in the league today. Driven by media influence and personal bias, the so-called “debate” has become a convoluted exercise in dragging and disparaging some of the greatest and most talented players to ever grace the hardwood floors of the NBA.
Irving makes a stark point by mentioning ‘GOATs’, implying that several can be considered the greatest in their own right. This is a train of thought that could be easier to abide by.
Some may present Michael Jordan as the greatest because of his dominance and unmatched success in the NBA Finals. Others may view LeBron James as the greatest for his statistical achievements, accolades, and longevity. Meanwhile, other players like Stephen Curry and Kobe Bryant may be considered “GOATs” for their accomplishments and skills.
It is relatively easy to dismiss one player over the other when only a handful of factors are taken into consideration. Irving’s statement also resonates with something James addressed when discussing the MVP award and its limitations.
The lack of a definitive framework makes it a challenge to accurately gauge a player’s greatness. This paves the way for the promotion of narratives and agendas instead of genuine appreciation for talent.
The recent Bleacher Report NBA player rankings were a prime example of this. Given the public outrage after the list was released, it was evident that personal opinion and subjective views play a crucial role in defining something so absolute.
There are too many variables, and honestly, too many great players that this league has seen. With no set parameters and effectively no consistent criteria, the GOAT debate is set up to be a never-ending argument with no valid resolution.
For athletes playing at the highest level, even a marginal difference in game awareness and skill can result in drastically different outcomes. In that light, Irving’s dismissal of the GOAT debate feels more like a call to celebrate greatness in its many forms, rather than reduce it to a ranking.
