The debate rages on.

Many consider either LeBron James or Michael Jordan the greatest player in NBA history—the GOAT, as the title is widely abbreviated in sports circles. Some want to put Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the conversation, while others seem determined to include Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.

None of these answers are inherently correct or incorrect. Realizing that is vital.

We’re not going to fall into the trap made by other GOAT rankings and insist our order is the only acceptable one, since everyone values different legacy components uniquely. That’s what makes this conversation so difficult in and of itself: How much are you swayed by championships, longevity, era translations and every other possible piece of the argument?

Our rankings here are intended to tell you who produced the most on both ends of the floor relative to his peers. The longer the high-level production was sustained, the better. But team-based results like deep playoff runs and championships don’t have any bearing in this particular article, which focuses entirely on the Denver Nuggets franchise.

Sections

Methodology

Flaws

GOAT Progression

Per-Season GOAT Standings

Top-Ranked Seasons

Top Rookie Seasons

Methodology

Our rankings are centered around the accumulation of GOAT points, which are calculated using the following steps:

Isolate all TPA scores earned during any given season from 1951-52 through 2017-18, combining both regular-season and postseason numbers. Calculate the average and standard deviation of the data for the relevant season. Convert TPA scores to Z-Scores (standard deviations above or below the average). The Z-Scores then function as GOAT points. Sum GOAT points from all seasons to find career scores, though only players with at least 1.0 GOAT points will be depicted pictorially.

Flaws

This is by no means a perfect examination of basketball history, so treat it as a baseline if you desire.

Notable Flaw No. 1: TPA isn’t a Perfect Stat

Since TPA is derived from box plus/minus, we’re looking only at box-score stats and failing to give players proper credit for solid defensive switching, beneficial picks at the top of the key and so much more. Scores before 1973-74 are estimated through a correlation with win shares, which allows for some variance as well. A few players (see: Westbrook, Russell) even see their scores boosted by extreme interaction effects between assist percentage and usage rate, as BPM was never intended to handle such high numbers.

Notable Flaw No. 2: No Anecdotes

Memorable shots don’t matter here. Nor do performances that came in crunch-time scenarios. The stories told by these players can’t necessarily be quantified, even though they largely color our perception of these contributors.

Not a Flaw: Higher Scores for Modern Players

Because the league has more players these days (deeper rosters and more franchises), the standard deviation naturally shrinks. That makes it easier for modern standouts to earn higher Z-Scores, and thus higher numbers of GOAT points during a single go-round. This isn’t a flaw, so much as a purposeful part of the design.

Deviating from the pack in a positive fashion is harder in the modern Association, as back-end players who sit on the pine for large portions of contests have improved drastically. The supply/demand curve is the only justification necessary; the NBA has a finite number of roster spots and far more qualified players looking to earn them, which forces the level of those end-of-bench contributors to undergo an upward progression.

The league as a whole improves every year.

The GOAT Progression

Season Positives : Bobby Jones (3.675), David Thompson (1.709), Dan Issel (1.524), Fatty Taylor (0.077)

: Bobby Jones (3.675), David Thompson (1.709), Dan Issel (1.524), Fatty Taylor (0.077) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: Everyone Dropped out of the Top 10: None



Season Positives : Bobby Jones (2.835), David Thompson (2.48), Dan Issel (2.402)

: Bobby Jones (2.835), David Thompson (2.48), Dan Issel (2.402) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 10: None



Season Positives : Dan Issel (1.575), George McGinnis (1.517), Tom Boswell (0.987), David Thompson (0.703), Kim Hughes (0.478)

: Dan Issel (1.575), George McGinnis (1.517), Tom Boswell (0.987), David Thompson (0.703), Kim Hughes (0.478) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: George McGinnis, Tom Boswell, Kim Hughes Dropped out of the Top 10: None



Season Positives : Dan Issel (1.46), Glen Gondrezick (0.432), Kim Hughes (0.345), George Johnson (0.253)

: Dan Issel (1.46), Glen Gondrezick (0.432), Kim Hughes (0.345), George Johnson (0.253) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: Glen Gondrezick, George Johnson Dropped out of the Top 10: None



Season Positives : Alex English (2.028), Dan Issel (1.322), Glen Gondrezick (0.695)

: Alex English (2.028), Dan Issel (1.322), Glen Gondrezick (0.695) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: Alex English Dropped out of the Top 10: None



Season Positives : Alex English (2.713), T.R. Dunn (1.262), Dan Issel (0.693), Glen Gondrezick (0.508), Kiki Vandeweghe (0.473)

: Alex English (2.713), T.R. Dunn (1.262), Dan Issel (0.693), Glen Gondrezick (0.508), Kiki Vandeweghe (0.473) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: T.R. Dunn Entered the Top 20: T.R. Dunn Dropped out of the Top 10: Fatty Taylor Dropped out of the Top 20: None



Season Positives : Alex English (3.228), T.R. Dunn (1.264), Kiki Vandeweghe (1.126), Dan Issel (0.769), Glen Gondrezick (0.244)

: Alex English (3.228), T.R. Dunn (1.264), Kiki Vandeweghe (1.126), Dan Issel (0.769), Glen Gondrezick (0.244) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: Kiki Vandeweghe Entered the Top 20: Kiki Vandeweghe Dropped out of the Top 10: George Johnson Dropped out of the Top 20: None



Season Positives : Alex English (2.165), T.R. Dunn (1.602), Kiki Vandeweghe (1.178)

: Alex English (2.165), T.R. Dunn (1.602), Kiki Vandeweghe (1.178) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: None Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: None



Season Positives : Calvin Natt (1.509), Alex English (1.476), Fat Lever (1.289), T.R. Dunn (0.858)

: Calvin Natt (1.509), Alex English (1.476), Fat Lever (1.289), T.R. Dunn (0.858) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: Calvin Natt, Fat Lever Entered the Top 20: Calvin Natt, Fat Lever Dropped out of the Top 10: Tom Boswell, Kim Hughes Dropped out of the Top 20: None



Season Positives : Alex English (1.32), Fat Lever (1.029), T.R Dunn (0.993), Bill Hanzlik (0.145), Calvin Natt (0.105)

: Alex English (1.32), Fat Lever (1.029), T.R Dunn (0.993), Bill Hanzlik (0.145), Calvin Natt (0.105) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: None Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: None



Season Positives : Fat Lever (3.307), Alex English (0.582), Darrell Walker (0.257)

: Fat Lever (3.307), Alex English (0.582), Darrell Walker (0.257) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: Darrell Walker Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: None



Season Positives : Fat Lever (3.494), Michael Adams (1.181), Alex English (0.721), Danny Schayes (0.549), T.R. Dunn (0.412)

: Fat Lever (3.494), Michael Adams (1.181), Alex English (0.721), Danny Schayes (0.549), T.R. Dunn (0.412) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: Michael Adams Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: None



Season Positives : Fat Lever (2.802), Michael Adams (1.591), Wayne Cooper (0.355)

: Fat Lever (2.802), Michael Adams (1.591), Wayne Cooper (0.355) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: Michael Adams Entered the Top 20: None Dropped out of the Top 10: Calvin Natt Dropped out of the Top 20: None



Season Positives : Fat Lever (1.58), Michael Adams (0.484), Danny Schayes (0.157), Jerome Lane (0.04), T.R. Dunn (0.015)

: Fat Lever (1.58), Michael Adams (0.484), Danny Schayes (0.157), Jerome Lane (0.04), T.R. Dunn (0.015) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: None Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: None



Season Positives : Michael Adams (2.026)

: Michael Adams (2.026) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: None Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: None



Season Positives : Reggie Williams (1.253), Dikembe Mutombo (0.661)

: Reggie Williams (1.253), Dikembe Mutombo (0.661) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: Reggie Williams, Dikembe Mutombo Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: None



Season Positives : Dikembe Mutombo (1.538), Reggie Williams (0.966), LaPhonso Ellis (0.923)

: Dikembe Mutombo (1.538), Reggie Williams (0.966), LaPhonso Ellis (0.923) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: Reggie Williams, Dikembe Mutombo Entered the Top 20: LaPhonso Ellis Dropped out of the Top 10: Glen Gondrezick, George McGinnis Dropped out of the Top 20: None



Season Positives : Dikembe Mutombo (2.327), LaPhonso Ellis (0.857), Reggie Williams (0.639), Bryant Stith (0.415)

: Dikembe Mutombo (2.327), LaPhonso Ellis (0.857), Reggie Williams (0.639), Bryant Stith (0.415) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: None Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: None



Season Positives : Dikembe Mutombo (2.073), Reggie Williams (1.42), Rodney Rogers (0.348), Bryant Stith (0.111)

: Dikembe Mutombo (2.073), Reggie Williams (1.42), Rodney Rogers (0.348), Bryant Stith (0.111) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: Rodney Rogers Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: None



Season Positives : Dikembe Mutombo (1.633), Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (0.441), Dale Ellis (0.227), Bryant Stith (0.084)

: Dikembe Mutombo (1.633), Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (0.441), Dale Ellis (0.227), Bryant Stith (0.084) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: Bryant Stith Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: Fatty Taylor



Season Positives : Ervin Johnson (0.37), LaPhonso Ellis (0.052), Bryant Stith (0.01)

: Ervin Johnson (0.37), LaPhonso Ellis (0.052), Bryant Stith (0.01) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: Ervin Johnson Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: Rodney Rogers



Season Positives : None

: None Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: Rodney Rogers Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: Bryant Stith



Season Positives : Antonio McDyess (0.409)

: Antonio McDyess (0.409) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: None Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: None



Season Positives : James Posey (0.563), Antonio McDyess (0.472), Raef LaFrentz (0.226), Ryan Bowen (0.11), George McCloud (0.021)

: James Posey (0.563), Antonio McDyess (0.472), Raef LaFrentz (0.226), Ryan Bowen (0.11), George McCloud (0.021) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: James Posey Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: Rodney Rogers



Season Positives : Raef LaFrentz (0.94), Nick Van Exel (0.558), Antonio McDyess (0.529), James Posey (0.377), Ryan Bowen (0.103)

: Raef LaFrentz (0.94), Nick Van Exel (0.558), Antonio McDyess (0.529), James Posey (0.377), Ryan Bowen (0.103) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: Raef LaFrentz Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: George Johnson



Season Positives : James Posey (0.292), Ryan Bowen (0.078), Antonio McDyess (0.072)

: James Posey (0.292), Ryan Bowen (0.078), Antonio McDyess (0.072) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: Ryan Bowen Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: Darrell Walker



Season Positives : Nene Hilario (1.006), Juwan Howard (0.574), Marcus Camby (0.201), Ryan Bowen (0.176)

: Nene Hilario (1.006), Juwan Howard (0.574), Marcus Camby (0.201), Ryan Bowen (0.176) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: Nene Hilario, Juwan Howard Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: Ervin Johnson, Ryan Bowen



Season Positives : Marcus Camby (1.802), Andre Miller (1.654), Nene Hilario (0.874), Jon Barry (0.137), Chris Andersen (0.082)

: Marcus Camby (1.802), Andre Miller (1.654), Nene Hilario (0.874), Jon Barry (0.137), Chris Andersen (0.082) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: Marcus Camby Entered the Top 20: Marcus Camby, Andre Miller Dropped out of the Top 10: Kiki Vandeweghe Dropped out of the Top 20: LaPhonso Ellis Juwan Howard



Season Positives : Marcus Camby (1.391), Greg Buckner (0.856), Kenyon Martin (0.726), Andre Miller (0.564), Bryon Russell (0.144), Nene Hilario (0.137), DerMarr Johnson (0.05)

: Marcus Camby (1.391), Greg Buckner (0.856), Kenyon Martin (0.726), Andre Miller (0.564), Bryon Russell (0.144), Nene Hilario (0.137), DerMarr Johnson (0.05) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: Greg Buckner Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: Kim Hughes



Season Positives : Marcus Camby (1.337), Carmelo Anthony (0.77), Greg Buckner (0.552), Andre Miller (0.259)

: Marcus Camby (1.337), Carmelo Anthony (0.77), Greg Buckner (0.552), Andre Miller (0.259) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: None Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: None



Season Positives : Marcus Camby (1.504), Carmelo Anthony (0.585), Eduardo Najera (0.352), Nene Hilario (0.303), J.R. Smith (0.105)

: Marcus Camby (1.504), Carmelo Anthony (0.585), Eduardo Najera (0.352), Nene Hilario (0.303), J.R. Smith (0.105) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: None Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: None



Season Positives : Marcus Camby (2.717), Allen Iverson (1.106), Carmelo Anthony (0.901), Eduardo Najera (0.487), J.R. Smith (0.323), Kenyon Martin (0.014)

: Marcus Camby (2.717), Allen Iverson (1.106), Carmelo Anthony (0.901), Eduardo Najera (0.487), J.R. Smith (0.323), Kenyon Martin (0.014) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: Carmelo Anthony Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: Tom Boswell



Season Positives : Nene Hilario (1.657), Chris Andersen (0.955), J.R. Smith (0.729), Renaldo Balkman (0.393), Kenyon Martin (0.353), Carmelo Anthony (0.113)

: Nene Hilario (1.657), Chris Andersen (0.955), J.R. Smith (0.729), Renaldo Balkman (0.393), Kenyon Martin (0.353), Carmelo Anthony (0.113) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: J.R. Smith Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: Raef LaFrentz



Season Positives : Nene Hilario (2.669), Chauncey Billups (1.616), Chris Andersen (0.768), Carmelo Anthony (0.759), Arron Afflalo (0.117), Kenyon Martin (0.06)

: Nene Hilario (2.669), Chauncey Billups (1.616), Chris Andersen (0.768), Carmelo Anthony (0.759), Arron Afflalo (0.117), Kenyon Martin (0.06) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: Nene Hilario Entered the Top 20: Chauncey Billups Dropped out of the Top 10: Reggie Williams Dropped out of the Top 20: J.R. Smith



Season Positives : Nene Hilario (2.396), Arron Afflalo (1.15), Ty Lawson (0.893), J.R. Smith (0.835), Chris Andersen (0.531), Kenyon Martin (0.486)

: Nene Hilario (2.396), Arron Afflalo (1.15), Ty Lawson (0.893), J.R. Smith (0.835), Chris Andersen (0.531), Kenyon Martin (0.486) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: J.R. Smith, Chris Andersen, Kenyon Martin Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: Calvin Natt, Chauncey Billups, James Posey



Season Positives : Ty Lawson (1.789), Kenneth Faried (0.885), Danilo Gallinari (0.728), Arron Afflalo (0.471), Kosta Koufos (0.18), Chris Andersen (0.15), Corey Brewer (0.071), Rudy Fernandez (0.044)

: Ty Lawson (1.789), Kenneth Faried (0.885), Danilo Gallinari (0.728), Arron Afflalo (0.471), Kosta Koufos (0.18), Chris Andersen (0.15), Corey Brewer (0.071), Rudy Fernandez (0.044) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: Ty Lawson, Arron Afflalo Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: Kenyon Martin, Greg Buckner



Season Positives : Andre Iguodala (1.895), Danilo Gallinari (1.121), Kenneth Faried (1.091), Ty Lawson (0.788), Kosta Koufos (0.563), JaVale McGee (0.438), Wilson Chandler (0.137), Corey Brewer (0.104)

: Andre Iguodala (1.895), Danilo Gallinari (1.121), Kenneth Faried (1.091), Ty Lawson (0.788), Kosta Koufos (0.563), JaVale McGee (0.438), Wilson Chandler (0.137), Corey Brewer (0.104) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: Kenneth Faried, Andre Iguodala, Danilo Gallinari Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: J.R. Smith, Arron Afflalo, George McGinnis



Season Positives : Ty Lawson (0.791), Kenneth Faried (0.538), Randy Foye (0.457), Wilson Chandler (0.013)

: Ty Lawson (0.791), Kenneth Faried (0.538), Randy Foye (0.457), Wilson Chandler (0.013) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: Ty Lawson Entered the Top 20: None Dropped out of the Top 10: David Thompson Dropped out of the Top 20: None



Season Positives : Danilo Gallinari (0.344), Ty Lawson (0.319), Kenneth Faried (0.289), Wilson Chandler (0.027)

: Danilo Gallinari (0.344), Ty Lawson (0.319), Kenneth Faried (0.289), Wilson Chandler (0.027) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: None Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: None



Season Positives : Nikola Jokic (1.596), Danilo Gallinari (0.404), Kenneth Faried (0.271), Gary Harris (0.069)

: Nikola Jokic (1.596), Danilo Gallinari (0.404), Kenneth Faried (0.271), Gary Harris (0.069) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: None Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: None



Season Positives : Nikola Jokic (3.098), Gary Harris (0.515), Danilo Gallinari (0.302), Kenneth Faried (0.177), Will Barton (0.079), Jarnell Stokes (0.004)

: Nikola Jokic (3.098), Gary Harris (0.515), Danilo Gallinari (0.302), Kenneth Faried (0.177), Will Barton (0.079), Jarnell Stokes (0.004) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: Nikola Jokic Entered the Top 20: Nikola Jokic Dropped out of the Top 10: Ty Lawson Dropped out of the Top 20: Glen Gondrezick



Season Positives : Nikola Jokic (3.736), Will Barton (0.562), Mason Plumlee (0.542), Gary Harris (0.43), Paul Millsap (0.155)

: Nikola Jokic (3.736), Will Barton (0.562), Mason Plumlee (0.542), Gary Harris (0.43), Paul Millsap (0.155) Notable Movement Entered the Top 10: None Entered the Top 20: None Dropped out of the Top 10: None Dropped out of the Top 20: None



Per-Season GOAT Standings

Perhaps you wish to take longevity out of the equation.

In that case, allow us to reveal the top 30 per-season scores, found simply by dividing total GOAT points by the number of NBA seasons recorded. Do note that injury-shortened campaigns (for example, Michael Jordan’s 1985-86 efforts, in which he played only 18 games while not sidelined with a broken foot) still count the same as full go-rounds. This methodology can also benefit players still in their primes, as they haven’t yet posted twilight seasons that drag down their averages.

Top-Ranked Seasons

Top Rookie Seasons