STATISTICAL DOMINANCE
VIA STANDARD DEVIATION

Statistical dominance is essential,
but not as an absolute accumulation, rather we look at the distance between the player and the next closest player, solving for relative superiority in the era in which they competed.

SEASON-TO-TITLE RATIO AND
POSTSEASON EFFECTIVENESS DELTA

While compiling statistics proves individual ability, doing so without winning is an empty pursuit not worthy of the “greatest” tag. Instead we look at title efficiency, individual honors, and the delta between post-season and regular season play.

RULE CHANGES AND
GAMEPLAY INNOVATION

Playing the game at a high level may make you memorable, but in order to be great, you’ve got to change the very essence of the game. Did the player showcase such special talent or ability that the rules were changed, the style was copied, or the gravity of the game itself adjusted to keep up?

TRANSCENDENCE OF
THE PLAYER INTO CULTURE

True greatness moves beyond the limits of the sport itself, imprinting itself on culture globally, creating style, trends, and generations of recognition from fans and casual observers alike.

GAMES MISSED VIA
NON-INJURY REASONS

The path to greatness is not paved with ease. Pitfalls avoided often separate the truly great from the pretty darn good. Points are taxed for missing games due to misconduct both on and off the court.

INTERNAL CHEMISTRY ISSUES,
FORCED TRADES, BRAND POISONING

In team sports especially, inability to keep your team focused on winning deters from achieving greatness. Personal or team scandal, poisoning the personal brand, and the inability to definitively make teammates better needs to be taxed.

WEIGHT OF SCANDAL VERSUS
SPORTS ACHIEVEMENTS

Accomplishments within the field of play are the table stakes for greatness, but scandal can ruin perception in an instant. A true great will rise above the temptation to flex their fame for nefarious purposes and conduct themselves with the highest code to cement their legacy.

Who you beat matters. Winning against extreme odds is more valuable to the greatness formula than dominating competition that never had a shot. Similarly, if a nemesis was never conquered, how can one claim GOAT status?