Why do most Americans believe that Michael Jordan was the greatest basketball player of all time? While I vehemently disagree, I do understand. His six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls, six Finals MVP awards, five regular-season MVPs, and ten scoring titles certainly create a resume that appears untouchable.

Yet, what the average observer fails to recognize is the fact that Jordan, with the assistance of officials, ruined the purity of the game. He dazzled crowds with amazing changes of direction because he violated the rules of dribbling by placing his hand under the ball and carrying it in around hapless defenders. The referees, rather than blowing the whistle, watched and admired. Their whistles remained silent, too, when Jordan flew through the air like a bird toward the basket after taking three, and occasionally even four, steps in the lane as he blew by the opposition. As a superstar, Michael Jordan got away with these and other violations that changed the game of basketball when others—from professionals to young kids—began to emulate him.

Playing a game no one had witnessed before, Jordan excelled within a system built around, and for, him. But greatness can be defined in different ways. In my opinion, two players who came before Jordan displayed skills and versatility that were not only far ahead of their eras, but were superior to Jordan’s and, importantly, were applied within the strict rules of basketball. These two players were: Oscar Robertson and Pete Maravich.

Robertson, known as “The Big O,” revolutionized the guard position. In the 1961-62 season, he averaged the triple double—30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, 11.4 assists per game—an achievement so extraordinary that it stood for decades. At 6’5” with exceptional strength and court vision, he could score, rebound, and distribute at levels never before seen. He played during a faster, more physical, era without the benefit of modern spacing and the three-point shot, yet dominated statistically and strategically.

Pete Maravich, nicknamed “Pistol Pete,” brought a different kind of brilliance. Undoubtedly the most talented player of all time, he dazzled with behind-the-back passes, deep shooting range, and improvisational flair. Playing before the introduction of the three-point line, he still averaged 24 points per game. In today’s perimeter game, Pete’s scoring numbers would be astronomical. His creativity expanded what was possible for the guard position, influencing generations of players who have embraced style alongside substance.

While Jordan’s championships weigh heavily in his favor, team success can overshadow individual brilliance. The Big O and Pistol Pete played on teams that limited their postseason achievements, yet their all-around skills and originality pushed basketball forward in ways that statistics alone can’t capture. If greatness includes versatility, creativity, staying within the rules, and being ahead of one’s time, then both Robertson and Maravich deserve the title of GOAT—Greatest of All Time.