About Franchise GOATs
Every NBA franchise has a player who stands above the rest — the Greatest Of All Time for that organization. While "GOAT" debates often focus on the league-wide conversation (Jordan vs. LeBron), the franchise-level GOAT discussion is equally fascinating and often more nuanced.
Our methodology uses career points per game as the primary ranking criterion among all historical players who played for each franchise. PPG provides a consistent, objective measure of individual scoring impact. While it doesn't capture every dimension of greatness (defense, leadership, longevity), it serves as a strong starting point that most fans intuitively understand.
Some franchises have clear, undisputed GOATs: Michael Jordan for the Bulls, Tim Duncan for the Spurs, Kobe Bryant for the Lakers. Others are more contested — the Celtics debate between Larry Bird and Bill Russell, for example, depends on whether you weight individual stats or championship success.
Franchise History Matters
Some teams inherit a rich history through relocation. The Oklahoma City Thunder share the Seattle SuperSonics' history, including players like Gary Payton and Kevin Durant (during his OKC years). The Brooklyn Nets include the New Jersey Nets and even the ABA-era New York Nets. Our analysis accounts for these franchise continuities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the franchise GOAT determined?
We rank historical players by career PPG among those who played for each franchise (including predecessor/relocated teams). The highest career PPG earner is designated the franchise GOAT.
Do relocated teams share history?
Yes. The Oklahoma City Thunder includes Seattle SuperSonics history, the Brooklyn Nets includes New Jersey Nets history, and so on. Players from predecessor franchises are credited to the current team.
Why use career PPG instead of championships or total points?
Career PPG measures sustained individual scoring excellence per game. Total points rewards longevity, and championships are heavily team-dependent. PPG provides the most direct measure of individual offensive impact.
What about the current best player?
Each franchise card also shows the current best player on the roster for comparison. In some cases, the current player may eventually surpass the historical GOAT as they accumulate more seasons.