Latest news with #GeorgeGervin
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"Everybody say he is the greatest of all time. I always say what criteria are you using" - George Gervin on why he questions Michael Jordan's status as the GOAT
"Everybody say he is the greatest of all time. I always say what criteria are you using" - George Gervin on why he questions Michael Jordan's status as the GOAT originally appeared on Basketball Network. For decades, the "greatest of all time" debate in basketball has revolved around one name: Michael Jordan. His six championships, five MVP awards and cultural footprint from Nike deals to "The Last Dance" docu-series have cemented him in the eyes of millions as the sport's ultimate icon. Advertisement But that conclusion isn't universally accepted among the legends who helped shape the game long before it turned into a billion-dollar media empire. One of those voices, George Gervin, hasn't hesitated to raise a fundamental question that shakes the foundation of the GOAT debate. Debate criteria Long before Jordan's signature fadeaway and tongue-out drives, there was Gervin, gliding across the hardwood with an elegance that defied the physical nature of the NBA in the '70s and early '80s. A four-time scoring champion, Gervin brought artistry to the game with his finger roll, a shot so smooth it looked like it belonged in a jazz performance. Advertisement "He's definitely one of the best to ever do it; everybody say he is the greatest of all time," Gervin said of Jordan. "I always say, what criteria are you using to say that. Because you can't forget about … Magic Johnson or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or Wilt Chamberlain or Bill Russell." Gervin dropped 33.1 points per game in the 1979–80 season and once scored 63 in a single game, without the benefit of a three-point line. Yet when modern conversations around greatness are held, he notices how easily names from earlier eras fade into the background. This is a perspective earned through decades of watching the league evolve. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, for instance, retired as the NBA's all-time leading scorer with 38,387 points — a record that stood until 2023 when LeBron James finally surpassed it. Magic Johnson revolutionized the game with his 6-foot-9 frame running the point, claiming five championships and three MVP awards in the process. Advertisement Wilt Chamberlain once averaged 50 points per game for an entire season. And Bill Russell's 11 titles in 13 seasons remain untouched, unmatched and, in Gervin's eyes, underappreciated when G.O.A.T. status is casually handed to Jordan. That's where Gervin's caution stems from. The tendency to compress greatness into highlight reels and championship rings misses the complex layers that make basketball's history so rich. And to reduce the discussion to a single era — Jordan's era — is to ignore the shifting definitions of dominance across time. Related: Goran Dragic firmly believes the Heat would've won the Bubble Finals if he hadn't gotten hurt: "I'm always gonna say yes" The weight of eras To Gervin, the issue isn't Jordan's legacy. It's the misapplication of absolutes. "Greatest of all time" implies a single standard, a measuring stick that spans eras with different rules, styles and expectations. We hear many legends using a similar argument. That, Gervin argues, is fundamentally flawed. Advertisement "When you say all-time, come on man, what is all time?" he said. "That's the thing you can use for separation, everybody played in their own era. Is Mike the greatest of his era? Hell yeah. But he ain't the greatest of all time simply because I don't know what criteria you are using to say that." And there's weight to that logic. Jordan entered a league that had already been built on the backs of players who endured segregation, league mergers and far less media coverage. Russell played in an era with eight to 14 teams and faced rampant racism on and off the court, yet still managed to turn the Boston Celtics into a dynasty. Chamberlain dominated with raw, unmatched athleticism before modern training regimens or advanced analytics existed. Abdul-Jabbar straddled multiple generations, from Oscar Robertson and Julius Erving to Johnson and Larry Bird and maintained excellence through them all. Statistically, each era offers a different challenge. Jordan's career 30.1 points per game leads all players in history. Gervin isn't challenging Jordan's excellence. No one does. He's challenging the idea that one name alone can define greatness for a sport as layered and evolving as basketball. Advertisement The NBA has always been a league of torch-passing moments. Each era stands as a monument to a different version of greatness. Respecting the foundation is part of appreciating the structure. And in that structure, MJ may be the most iconic. But as the greatest? That, many before Jordan's time believe, is still open to debate. Related: "Michael Jordan absolutely couldn't have played through those cramps" - When Isiah Thomas defended LeBron for sitting out in the 2014 NBA Finals This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"You guys never froze me out" - Michael Jordan sent a message to Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas and George Gervin about the infamous freeze-out game
"You guys never froze me out" - Michael Jordan sent a message to Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas and George Gervin about the infamous freeze-out game originally appeared on Basketball Network. Many fans and analysts believe that the infamous Freeze-out game during the 1985 NBA All-Star showdown was meant to break Michael Jordan's confidence. It was a highly-anticipated moment as it marked Jordan's NBA All-Star debut. However, rather than showcasing his extraordinary talent, the Chicago Bulls star only managed to make two shots throughout the entire game. The unexpected underwhelming performance unsurprisingly sparked widespread speculation, suggesting that certain veteran players, notably Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas, had a deliberate agenda to make Jordan appear unworthy of his All-Star selection. Years later, during his epic Hall of Fame induction speech, MJ shockingly confronted the decades-old rumor. He delivered a compelling message directed at the NBA legends who were accused of freezing him out that night. "I'm going to thank a couple people that you guys probably wouldn't even think that I would thank: Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson, George Gervin," Jordan candidly spoke. "Now they say it was a so-called freeze-out in my rookie season. I wouldn't have never guessed, but you guys gave me the motivation to say, 'You know what, evidently I haven't proved enough to these guys. I gotta prove to them that I deserve what I've gotten on this level.'" "And no matter what people may have said – if it was a rumor, I never took it as truth – but you guys never froze me out because I was just happy to be there, no matter how you look at it," he pointed out. "And from that point forward, I wanted to prove to you, Magic, Larry, George, everybody – that I deserved to be on this level just as much as everybody else. And hopefully, over the period of my career, I've done that, without a doubt – you know, even in the Detroit years, we've done that." Taking a quick trip down memory lane, there's no denying that MJ truly deserved to be an All-Star despite being a rookie. That season, Jordan never missed a game and put up MVP-like numbers, having averaged 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.4 steals per outing. That being said, the notion that the so-called Freeze-out game was rooted in jealousy grew stronger. The media quickly turned their attention to the intriguing issue. They began to quiz explanations and insights from the people who could possibly be involved. The inquiries poured in but not a single NBA legend confirmed the swirling speculations. In an interesting twist, George Andrews, the agent representing both Magic and Thomas, was asked to share his thoughts on the matter. He firmly denied it, stating that there was no way any of his superstar clients would have entertained, or even thought about coming up with such a bizarre idea. "You're telling me Larry Bird was in a conspiracy with Isiah Thomas? If Isiah said one thing, Bird would do the opposite… There's no chance you are getting Dr. J, who was the moral compass of the league back then, starting the basketball chapel, and Larry Bird ganging up on Michael Jordan," Andrews once said. "So, they say, 'Let's see what Michael can do with Gervin,' who still was pretty good," added Andrews. "Michael didn't do much, something like two for nine. But nine shots; so he wasn't frozen out. He got nine shots in an All-Star game as a rookie. Isiah had seven when he was a rookie and shot an air ball," he pointed way Jordan performed on the court following the 1985 All-Star weekend only goes to show that the Freeze-out game had little to no impact on him. Although he also did not dismiss it during his speech, MJ insisted that the infamous event didn't affect his focus and passion for the game. Rather than dwelling on the possible reasons behind the Freeze-out game, Mike moved on and remained committed to developing his skills as a player. If there was one thing he did, it was to transform the negativity of the Freeze-out game into a source of motivation. It ultimately gave him the drive to prove his critics wrong. Looking at how Jordan morphed into a dominant player, it was very evident that the Freeze-out game held little significance in his illustrious NBA career. His strong work ethic and willpower allowed him to rise above all the challenges he encountered in his journey. Apart from that, MJ's competitive spirit also solidified his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time. All told, the conscious decision to address the past in his special night highlighted Jordan's courage and resilience. The greatness he achieved and the winning mentality he displayed only suggested that the Freeze-out game didn't make any sense, if there was story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gervin shares why the Spurs shouldn't trade their two picks for a star player: "You build a young core up"
Gervin shares why the Spurs shouldn't trade their two picks for a star player: "You build a young core up" originally appeared on Basketball Network. Like the Dallas Mavericks, the San Antonio Spurs were lucky to move up in the 2025 NBA Draft after getting good luck in the Draft Lottery. While the Mavs moved an incredible 11 spots from No.11 to No.1, the Spurs went up six notches from No.8 to No.2. Advertisement By getting the 2nd pick, San Antonio now owns the No.2 and No.14 picks in the upcoming Draft. Because of this, some analysts are suggesting that the Spurs package the picks to trade for an established superstar who will turn them into contenders next season. However, Hall of Famer George Gervin, who once played for the Silver & Black, thinks that if the franchise wants to contend for a title for a long time, they need to build their core from the ground up. "You build it. You build a young core up, I think that's important. And then you have something you can build for a while. We already got five championships, so if you want some more, and you want more than one, then you got to build a solid foundation and grow from there. They got a good nucleus. They got a real good nucleus with Fox coming in, Wemby. They got a really good nucleus to put something together," said Gervin. It's a new NBA era now The Spurs finished 13th in the Western Conference team standings last season with a 34-48 record. Despite that, San Antonio already has a very good young core composed of Victor Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, plus a veteran Harrison Barnes. Some believe that if the team added an established superstar, they would be a playoff team next season. Advertisement Before the lottery, there were talks that the Spurs might package Castle and their two first-round picks to get that superstar. However, after one of the picks became the No.2 pick, San Antonio now has an opportunity to add Rutgers prospect Dylan Harper, who averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game for the Scarlet Knights last season. With young teams in the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers squaring off in the 2025 NBA Finals, Gervin thinks the current NBA era is over and the new one has arrived. Because of that, the Spurs should join the revolution. "Hey, y'all know just like I know. The old era is gone. No LeBron, no Steph. It's a wrap. They got the young fellas now. So everybody gonna be an ex-player one day," added the Iceman. Related: "I don't think I should defend myself anymore, I'm done with that in my life" - Allen Iverson on why he's had enough trying to defend his public image Building something sustainable If we listen to the grapevine, there are conflicting rumors about what the Spurs intend to do with their first-round picks. ESPN's Shams Charania continues to insist that San Antonio is one of Kevin Durant's preferred landing spots. Meanwhile, Brandon Scoop Robinson recently said that SA is leaning towards keeping the pick. In line with Gervin's statement, they want to build for the future and are not in a must-win now mode. Advertisement "Despite speculation linking Kevin Durant to various Western Conference teams," Robinson wrote. "League sources tell me the Spurs are not pursuing the former MVP. 'San Antonio's not in on KD,' a source familiar with the team's thinking told me. 'They have concerns about how many years he has left in the tank, and the focus is on building something sustainable around Wemby.'" Make no mistake. KD is still an outstanding basketball player right now. He would certainly make the current Spurs team much better and turn them into a playoff contender. However, imagine Wemby growing up with Fox, Bailey, and Castle. Barring any unfortunate injuries, that core is going to be formidable in the next five years. Related: Gervin admits Durant is the only player in the NBA somewhat similar to him: "He was just probably as accurate as me" This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
San Antonio Spurs Legend Offers Ideal Offseason Plan to Build Around Victor Wembanyama
San Antonio Spurs Legend Offers Ideal Offseason Plan to Build Around Victor Wembanyama originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The San Antonio Spurs are caught up in more than their fair share of offseason rumors. The Spurs have been linked to trade targets Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo, free agents like Naz Reid, and are expected to draft Dylan Harper second overall. Advertisement The Spurs have the means to add a win-now player and chase a championship in just Victor Wembanyama's third season, and Durant seems like the most likley player for them to add via trade. However, with Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, Harper, Jeremy Sochan, Devin Vassell, and Julian Champagnie all in town, the Spurs have an excellent young roster, and should be able to compete for more than just the one or two titles Durant would allow them to chase. The first legend in the Spurs' rich history, George Gervin, recently outlined how he thinks the Spurs should build. "You build a young core up, I think that's important," the Iceman preached. "And then you have something that you can build for a while. We already got five championships. If you want some more and you want more than one, then you got to build a solid foundation and grow from there." While adding Durant, or a player of his caliber, would propel the Spurs to contention, Gervin would rather see them expand their "nucleus," and specifically called out Durant as a player he doesn't want the Spurs to target. Advertisement "They got a good nucleus," he reiterated. "Fox coming in and Wemby, they got a good nucleus to really put something together. The old era is gone. No LeBron, no Steph, no Durant, they got the young fellas now." While the Western Conference is expected to be more talented than ever next season, the Spurs, provided they stay the course, are expected to be a sleeping giant and don't have to rush the process this summer. Check out the Inside the Spurs home page for more news, analysis, and must-read articles. Related: Philadelphia 76ers Emerge as Possible San Antonio Spurs' Trade Partner Related: 3 Draft Picks San Antonio Spurs Could Make After Shocking Report This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Spurs to get new jerseys next season
Spurs to get new jerseys next season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The San Antonio Spurs have one of the most iconic jerseys in the NBA. They aren't flashy, they aren't bold, but the Silver and Black is synonymous with winning. Advertisement The Spurs, according to Basketball Jersey Archive, will get a redesign before next season, joining the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, and Los Angeles Lakers. The Spurs, last season, had four jerseys. Their Association and Icon, which were white and black with a classic "Spurs" across the chest, the "City Editions," with the icy light blue that paid homage to the Hemisphere, and the Statement edition, with a bold "SATX" across the chest and small homages to the Latin American poulation up and down the jersey and shorts. The expectation is that the Statement addition will be the one replaced, and fans are urging the team to return to the Fiesta colorway of the 1990s that has been featured in recent years. The Spurs have also been encouraged to go back to the classic black on black from the George Gervin era, which they paid homage to two seasons ago. Fans would likely prefer to see some Alamo imagery on the jerseys, although the State of Texas does not typically sign off on officially licensed merchandise, preventing the Spurs from leaning into the motif. Advertisement With the popularity in recent years of throwbacks and Fiesta colorways, the Spurs are expected to abandon the black "SATX" jerseys and lean into something a bit bolder. Check out the Inside the Spurs home page for more news, analysis, and must-read articles. Related: San Antonio Spurs' Trade Target Gets Major Update Related: 3 Mock Trades the San Antonio Spurs Could Make to Add Kevin Durant This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
