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What would Michael Jordan’s legacy been like had he retired for good after the Bulls first 3 peat (alien.top)

submitted 10 months ago by Jr9065@alien.top to c/nba@nba.space

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Let’s say Jordan never came back to the NBA after the Bulls first 3peat. How do you think his legacy would be perceived? Would he have surely lost the GOAT title long ago? Would Kobe have a case against him? Would he still be as popular as he is now?

What would his legacy been like had he retires for good after the first 3 peat?

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[–] Free_Relationship692@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

prototype of Kobe.

[–] biggoldgoblin@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Still a legend but possibly the biggest “what if” in NBA history

[–] Sir__Douglas@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Sandy Koufax

[–] vwb2022@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

I think Jim Brown is a good parallel. He played 9 seasons, same as MJ before his first retirement, before retiring at the age of 30. He is still considered to be the greatest running back in NFL history and probably top 5 player of all time. I think Jordan would have been viewed the same way.

[–] see_mohn@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Basketball Koufax.

[–] Currymvp2@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Lots of people would still think he's the best NBA player ever, but I do feel more people would have LeBron over him for sure.

[–] Yinanization@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Then all the nephews would have been correct

[–] HS941317@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

His first 3peat is the highest level I’ve seen anyone play basketball. He would be a huge what if because of his early retirement but I still think I lot would view him as the goat regardless

[–] Leading-Evidence-668@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

We’d probably be arguing between Lebron and Kareem at 1. Though most would still say Jordan is top 5.

[–] mehipoststuff@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

probably around top 5

a second three-peat that late in your career as still the best player in the league is batshit insane

[–] rabidbot@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

People called him the GOAT before the second run. I think the thing it changes most is how quickly LBJ get into that convo and then takes that crown. Kobe probably shines harder too.

[–] motorboat_mcgee@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Still in the All Time Great, if not GOAT discussion... See Sandy Koufax and Barry Sanders in other sports in how they are talked about, while retiring very "early"

[–] luuufy@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

When he retired the first time the statue said “the greatest there ever was, the greatest there ever will be”

There would be no difference imo

[–] ShadowOutOfTime@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

He’d probably be seen as closer to Bird and Magic but the best of the three. They’d all be guys who burned super bright but didn’t have as long of careers as they could’ve. So probably top five all time but I think the GOAT convo would be more slanted to LeBron and Kareem

[–] ChipperWP@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Got to be honest with you, the last three championships always felt like a post and pre retirement tour to me. MJ was the unquestioned goat by 1993 already - part of the reason he left in 1993 was because he'd done it all already

[–] Labcat50@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Michael Jordan is the greatest