One For The G.O.A.T.

What is the G.O.A.T.?

Sure, we know what G.O.A.T. stands for—Greatest of All Time—but what does G.O.A.T mean? There is a measure of sustained excellence that even very, very good players cannot achieve. We recognize the divisions of caliber of player—average to good, good, to All-Star, and so on. But to be in the tier of greatness for so long that there is a growing consensus that one is among the very best in the history of a sort is rarified air. Few people can even conceptualize that in their minds and spirits to attempt to reach it, let alone the people we place in G.O.A.T. discussions. Greatness requires many ingredients in order to achieve it. Talent, opportunity and resources are just three of those factors that the individual cannot control. But what is common amongst all greats is the commitment to excellence. Greatness requires sacrifice of some sort. And the thing about sacrifice is that one must give up something they value in order to receive something of more value. In athletes, that sacrifice involves their time. They’re working harder, longer, more often than the average person. Being good does not require the tough decision of sacrifice. In order to be great, sacrifice is necessary.

Who is the G.O.A.T.?

First, let’s establish that every title, list “definitive” ranking and such are all rooted in subjectivity. Opinions shape the concept of rankings, and the criteria is manmade and formulated by men. If there was a definitive formula on who the greatest is, the incessant debates wouldn’t be as frequent. Everyone would just refer to the formula—that is, until the formula was contested and debated. It’s an endless cycle that we have decided to be immersed in. Second, different eras of something that has existed long enough to have eras determine who people discuss as the G.O.A.T. Nostalgia, pioneering, and modernization all factor into the discussion. The issue of contention lies in those biases that we inherently have. Bias isn’t a bad thing if it is rooted in healthy preference. But individual preference is why there is a G.O.A.T. debate in the first place. Sue Bird is a G.O.A.T. For me, she is the best point guard—regardless of gender—that I have been alive to see. Her list of accomplishments hangs majestically like her trademark ponytail. In the 24 years Sue has been in the national basketball spotlight (UConn, the WNBA and the Olympics), she has won 11 titles. She has won multiple championships in three different decades. She’s won multiple championships on multiple continents—a true global icon. She is the all-time leader in WNBA games played. She is the standard for point guard careers for every floor general after her.

The Seattle Storm’s season did not end the way Bird and the team would have liked. They were eliminated in the second round of the WNBA playoffs at the hands of the Las Vegas Aces. But still, the season felt magical. Just having sue Bird out there, knowing the end of her career was coming, added more significance. We got the opportunity to celebrate her throughout. There was a countrywide and basketball-wide celebration of one of the greatest players ever. One of the greatest players ever.

Thank you, Sue, for being a beacon for the game of basketball. Thank you for inspiring and sharing your excellence with us all for as long as you did. The game will miss you and the game will never forget you.