Atlanta Hawks GOAT Rankings

The debate rages on.

Many consider either LeBron James or Michael Jordan the greatest player in NBA history—the GOAT, as the title is widely abbreviated in sports circles. Some want to put Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the conversation, while others seem determined to include Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.

None of these answers are inherently correct or incorrect. Realizing that is vital.

We’re not going to fall into the trap made by other GOAT rankings and insist our order is the only acceptable one, since everyone values different legacy components uniquely. That’s what makes this conversation so difficult in and of itself: How much are you swayed by championships, longevity, era translations and every other possible piece of the argument?

Our rankings here are intended to tell you who produced the most on both ends of the floor relative to his peers. The longer the high-level production was sustained, the better. But team-based results like deep playoff runs and championships don’t have any bearing in this particular article, which focuses entirely on the Atlanta Hawks franchise.

Sections

  • Methodology
  • Flaws
  • GOAT Progression
  • Per-Season GOAT Standings
  • Top-Ranked Seasons
  • Top Rookie Seasons

Methodology

Our rankings are centered around the accumulation of GOAT points, which are calculated using the following steps:

  1. Isolate all TPA scores earned during any given season from 1951-52 through 2017-18, combining both regular-season and postseason numbers.
  2. Calculate the average and standard deviation of the data for the relevant season.
  3. Convert TPA scores to Z-Scores (standard deviations above or below the average). The Z-Scores then function as GOAT points.
  4. Sum GOAT points from all seasons to find career scores, though only players with at least 1.0 GOAT points will be depicted pictorially.

 

Flaws

This is by no means a perfect examination of basketball history, so treat it as a baseline if you desire.

Notable Flaw No. 1: TPA isn’t a Perfect Stat

Since TPA is derived from box plus/minus, we’re looking only at box-score stats and failing to give players proper credit for solid defensive switching, beneficial picks at the top of the key and so much more. Scores before 1973-74 are estimated through a correlation with win shares, which allows for some variance as well. A few players (see: Westbrook, Russell) even see their scores boosted by extreme interaction effects between assist percentage and usage rate, as BPM was never intended to handle such high numbers.

Notable Flaw No. 2: No Anecdotes

Memorable shots don’t matter here. Nor do performances that came in crunch-time scenarios. The stories told by these players can’t necessarily be quantified, even though they largely color our perception of these contributors.

Not a Flaw: Higher Scores for Modern Players

Because the league has more players these days (deeper rosters and more franchises), the standard deviation naturally shrinks. That makes it easier for modern standouts to earn higher Z-Scores, and thus higher numbers of GOAT points during a single go-round. This isn’t a flaw, so much as a purposeful part of the design.

Deviating from the pack in a positive fashion is harder in the modern Association, as back-end players who sit on the pine for large portions of contests have improved drastically. The supply/demand curve is the only justification necessary; the NBA has a finite number of roster spots and far more qualified players looking to earn them, which forces the level of those end-of-bench contributors to undergo an upward progression.

The league as a whole improves every year.

The GOAT Progression

  • Season Positives:  Nate DeLong (0.278), Elmer Behnke (0.042), Jerry Fowler (0.042), Gene Vance (0.017)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Everyone
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None

  • Season Positives:  Mel Hutchins (0.523), Don Otten (0.439), Dillard Crocker (0.247), Johnny Payak (0.16), Mike O’Neill (0.078), Bucky McConnell (0.055), John O’Boyle (0.03)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Don Otten, Dillard Crocker, Johnny Payak, Mike O’Neill, Bucky McConnell, John O’Boyle
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None

  • Season Positives:  George Ratkovicz (0.13), Isaac Walthour (0.015)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: George Ratkovicz
    • Entered the Top 20: George Ratkovicz, Isaac Walthour
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Gene Vance
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives:  Bob Pettit (2.113), Chuck Share (1.925), Ronnie MacGilvray (0.067), Carl McNulty (0.059), Phil Martin (0.039)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Bob Pettit, Chuck Share, Ronnie MacGilvray, Carl McNulty
    • Entered the Top 20: Bob Pettit, Chuck Share, Ronnie MacGilvray, Carl McNulty, Phil Martin
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Bucky McConnell, Elmer Behnke, Jerry Fowler, John O’Boyle
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives:  Bob Pettit (3.325), Chuck Share (1.985), Jack Stephens (0.023)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Jack Stephens
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Bob Pettit (2.515), Chuck Share (1.275), Ed Macauley (0.949), John Barber (0.07), Norm Stewart (0.05)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Ed Macauley, John Barber
    • Entered the Top 20: Ed Macauley, John Barber, Norm Stewart
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Ronnie MacGilvray, Carl McNulty
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Isaac Walthour

  • Season Positives: Bob Pettit (2.156), Cliff Hagan (1.986), Ed Macauley (0.788), Worthy Patterson (0.129), Chuck Share (0.122), Red Morrison (0.077)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Cliff Hagan, Worthy Patterson
    • Entered the Top 20: Cliff Hagan, Worthy Patterson, Red Morrison
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: George Ratkovicz, John Barber
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: John O’Boyle, Jack Stephens, Gene Vance

  • Season Positives: Bob Pettit (3.028), Cliff Hagan (2.054), Clyde Lovellette (1.13), Dave Gambee (0.148)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Clyde Lovellette, Dave Gambee
    • Entered the Top 20: Clyde Lovellette, Dave Gambee
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Worthy Patterson, Mike O’Neill
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Jerry Fowler, Phil Martin

  • Season Positives: Cliff Hagan (1.756), Bob Pettit (1.694), Clyde Lovellette (1.528)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Bob Pettit (2.994), Cliff Hagan (1.73), Clyde Lovellette (1.394), Lenny Wilkens (0.294), Larry Foust (0.282), Dave Piontek (0.212), Fred LaCour (0.176)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Lenny Wilkens, Larry Foust
    • Entered the Top 20: Lenny Wilkens, Larry Foust, Dave Piontek, Fred LaCour
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Johnny Payak, Dave Gambee
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Carl McNulty, Bucky McConnell, Norm Stewart, Elmer Behnke

  • Season Positives: Bob Pettit (1.091), Cliff Hagan (0.499), Clyde Lovellette (0.252), Larry Foust (0.13), Rich Eichhorst (0,082), Jimmy Darrow (0.031), Ron Horn (0.007)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Dave Piontek
    • Entered the Top 20: Rich Eichhorst, Carl McNulty
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Lenny Wilkens
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Lenny Wilkens, Fred LaCour

  • Season Positives: Bob Pettit (2.705), Cliff Hagan (1.001), Zelmo Beaty (0.498), Gene Tormohlen (0.138), Bill Bridges (0.085)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Zelmo Beaty
    • Entered the Top 20: Zelmo Beaty, Gene Tormohlen, Bill Bridges
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Dave Piontek
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: John Barber, Ronnie MacGilvray, Carl McNulty

  • Season Positives: Bob Pettit (2.167), Zelmo Beaty (0.249), Cliff Hagan (0.222), Ken Rohloff (0.095)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Ken Rohloff, John Barber
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Gene Tormohlen, Bill Bridges

  • Season Positives: Zelmo Beaty (1.589), Bob Pettit (1.216), Richie Guerin (0.714), Lenny Wilkens (0.678), Cliff Hagan (0.344), John Tresvant (0.15), Ed Burton (0.11), Jeff Mullins (0.03)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Richie Guerin
    • Entered the Top 20: Richie Guerin, John Tresvant, Ed Burton
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Dillard Crocker
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Red Morrison, George Ratkovicz, John Barber

  • Season Positives: Zelmo Beaty (1.205), Lenny Wilkens (0.518), Mike Farmer (0.121), Richie Guerin (0.108), Gene Tormohlen (0.016)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Lenny Wilkens
    • Entered the Top 20: Nate DeLong
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Lenny Wilkens
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Mike O’Neill

  • Season Positives: Zelmo Beaty (0.345), Lenny Wilkens (0.301), Bill Bridges (0.273), Tom Hoover (0.049)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Zelmo Beaty (2.108), Lenny Wilkens (1.343), Bill Bridges (0.812), Paul Silas (0.564), Lou Hudson (0.144), Jay Miller (0.007)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Lou Hudson (1.5), Zelmo Beaty (1.172), Jim Davis (0.474), Dennis Hamilton (0.257), Richie Guerin (0.235), Bill Bridges (0.233), Skip Harlicka (0.227), Joe Caldwell (0.196), Dwight Waller (0.118), George Lehmann (0.051)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Lou Hudson
    • Entered the Top 20: Lou Hudson, Jim Davis, Dennis Hamilton, Skip Harlicka
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Larry Foust
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Worthy Patterson, Ed Burton, Ken Rohloff, Rich Eichhorst

  • Season Positives: Lou Hudson (1.57), Joe Caldwell (0.446), Gene Tormohlen (0.19), Butch Beard (0.119), Richie Guerin (0.082)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Worthy Patterson
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Jim Davis

  • Season Positives: Bob Riley (0.13), Lou Hudson (0.061)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Bob Riley
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Worthy Patterson

  • Season Positives: Walt Bellamy (1.012), Lou Hudson (0.808), Milt Williams (0.143), Shaler Halimon (0.143), Tom Payne (0.062), Bob Christian (0.051), Jeff Haliburton (0.025), Don May (0.009)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Walt Bellamy
    • Entered the Top 20: Walt Bellamy
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Don Otten
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Bob Riley

  • Season Positives: Lou Hudson (0.851), Bob Christian (0.452), Walt Bellamy (0.361), Pete Maravich (0.189), John Tschogl (0.032)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Bob Christian
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Dave Gambee

  • Season Positives: Lou Hudson (1.331), Pete Maravich (1.171), Herm Gilliam (0.396), Walt Bellamy (0.123)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Pete Maravich
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: John Tresvant

  • Season Positives: John Drew (1.182), Dean Meminger (0.194), Herm Gilliam (0.118), John Brown (0.022)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: John Drew
    • Entered the Top 20: John Drew
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Richie Guerin
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Johnny Payak

  • Season Positives: John Drew (2.527), Lou Hudson (0.254), Connie Hawkins (0.253)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Connie Hawkins
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Dave Piontek

  • Season Positives: John Drew (1.087), Joe Meriweather (0.216), Steve Hawes (0.02)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: John Drew (1.429), Tree Rollins (0.967), Steve Hawes (0.8), John Brown (0.026)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Tree Rollins, Steve Hawes
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Dillard Crocker, Skip Harlicka

  • Season Positives: Dan Roundfield (1.868), Tree Rollins (1.241), Steve Hawes (0.912), John Drew (0.66), Eddie Johnson (0.467)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Tree Rollins, Dan Roundfield
    • Entered the Top 20: Dan Roundfield
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Ed Macauley, Walt Bellamy
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Connie Hawkins

  • Season Positives: Dan Roundfield (2.263), Tree Rollins (2.138), Eddie Johnson (1.086), Steve Hawes (0.833), Tom McMillen (0.001)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Steve Hawes
    • Entered the Top 20: Eddie Johnson
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Lenny Wilkens
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Dennis Hamilton

  • Season Positives: Dan Roundfield (1.936), Steve Hawes (0.766), Tree Rollins (0.608), Eddie Johnson (0.521)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Dan Roundfield (1.382), Tree Rollins (1.18), Steve Hawes (0.562), Eddie Johnson (0.381), Rory Sparrow (0.133)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Tree Rollins (1.797), Dan Roundfield (1.358), Dominique Wilkins (0.368), George Johnson (0.133)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Dominique Wilkins
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Nate DeLong

  • Season Positives: Dan Roundfield (1.07), Tree Rollins (1.008), Dominique Wilkins (0.745), Doc Rivers (0.634)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Doc Rivers
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Bob Christian

  • Season Positives: Doc Rivers (1.619), Cliff Levingston (0.817), Dominique Wilkins (0.637), Tree Rollins (0.43), Antoine Carr (0.051)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Cliff Levingston
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Eddie Johnson

  • Season Positives: Dominique Wilkins (2.153), Doc Rivers (0.943), Cliff Levingston (0.672), Tree Rollins (0.436), Randy Wittman (0.415), Spud Webb (0.221), Antoine Carr (0.008)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Dominique Wilkins
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Steve Hawes
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Dominique Wilkins (2.567), Doc Rivers (2.199), Tree Rollins (0.642), Kevin Willis (0.637), Mike McGee (0.513), Cliff Levingston (0.509), Antoine Carr (0.106)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Doc Rivers
    • Entered the Top 20: Mike McGee
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Clyde Lovellette
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Larry Foust

  • Season Positives: Doc Rivers (2.088), Dominique Wilkins (1.449), Cliff Levingston (1.044), Antoine Carr (0.422), Tree Rollins (0.191)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Antoine Carr
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Don Otten

  • Season Positives: Doc Rivers (1.971), Dominique Wilkins (1.317), Moses Malone (0.933), Cliff Levingston (0.704),  Jon Koncak (0.414), Reggie Theus (0.317)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Moses Malone
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Antoine Carr

  • Season Positives: Dominique Wilkins (1.721), Doc Rivers (0.999), Moses Malone (0.425), Cliff Levingston (0.119), Haywoode Workman (0.01)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Dominique Wilkins (2.467), Doc Rivers (0.913), Spud Webb (0.243), Jon Koncak (0.211)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Dominique Wilkins (0.863), Kevin Willis (0.506), Alexander Volkov (0.301), Paul Graham (0.129), Stacey Augmon (0.11)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Dominique Wilkins (1.706), Mookie Blaylock (1.241), Jon Koncak (0.349)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Mookie Blaylock
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Mike McGee

  • Season Positives: Mookie Blaylock (2.878), Stacey Augmon (1.591), Craig Ehlo (0.865), Kevin Willis (0.57), Jon Koncak (0.149)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Stacey Augmon
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Pete Maravich

  • Season Positives: Mookie Blaylock (3.236), Stacey Augmon (0.155)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Mookie Blaylock
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Chuck Share
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Mookie Blaylock (2.765), Grant Long (0.813), Steve Smith (0.401), Stacey Augmon (0.02), Reggie Jordan (0.009)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Mookie Blaylock (3.95), Dikembe Mutombo (1.671), Christian Laettner (1.542), Steve Smith (0.578), Tyrone Corbin (0.14), Jon Barry (0.01)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Dikembe Mutombo, Christian Laettner
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Moses Malone, Richie Guerin

  • Season Positives: Mookie Blaylock (1.845), Steve Smith (1.728), Dikembe Mutombo (1.419), Christian Laettner (1.15), Tyrone Corbin (0.351)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Steve Smith
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Walt Bellamy

  • Season Positives: Mookie Blaylock (2.592), Dikembe Mutombo (2.523), Steve Smith (1.208), Grant Long (0.851)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Dikembe Mutombo
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Lou Hudson
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Dikembe Mutombo (1.624)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Jason Terry (0.758)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Jason Terry (1.976), Shareef Abdur-Rahim (1.194)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Jason Terry
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Ed Macauley

  • Season Positives: Shareef Abdur-Rahim (0.933), Jason Terry (0.763), Chris Crawford (0.009)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Shareef Abdur-Rahim
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Stacey Augmon

  • Season Positives: Jason Terry (0.533), Stephen Jackson (0.518)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: None
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Josh Childress (0.602), Josh Smith (0.451), Joe Johnson (0.348)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Josh Smith (1.553), Josh Childress (0.781), Joe Johnson (0.68)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Josh Smith (1.658), Josh Childress (1.047), Joe Johnson (0.73)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Josh Smith, Josh Childress
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Lenny Wilkens

  • Season Positives: Al Horford (0.984), Joe Johnson (0.971), Mike Bibby (0.849), Josh Smith (0.748), Marvin Williams (0.331)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Joe Johnson
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Josh Childress

  • Season Positives: Josh Smith (3.166), Al Horford (1.93), Joe Johnson (1.258), Jamal Crawford (0.373)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Josh Smith
    • Entered the Top 20: Al Horford
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: John Drew
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Christian Laettner

  • Season Positives: Al Horford (2.528), Josh Smith (1.791)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Josh Smith (2.359), Joe Johnson (1.059), Jeff Teague (0.584), Zaza Pachulia (0.515), Marvin Williams (0.353), Al Horford (0.218), Vladimir Radmanovic (0.026)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Al Horford (1.771), Josh Smith (1.215), Kyle Korver (1.209)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Al Horford
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Zelmo Beaty
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Paul Millsap (1.582), Kyle Korver (1.08), DeMarre Carroll (1.0), Al Horford (0.533), Elton Brand (0.09)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: Paul Millsap (2.093), Al Horford (1.834), Kyle Korver (1.658), DeMarre Carroll (1.314), Jeff Teague (0.821), Thabo Sefolosha (0.242), Mike Muscala (0.154)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Kyle Korver
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Jason Terry

  • Season Positives: Paul Millsap (2.75), Al Horford (2.108), Thabo Sefolosha (0.357), Jeff Teague (0.108), Kent Bazemore (0.098)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: Paul Millsap
    • Dropped out of the Top 10:
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: Kyle Korver

  • Season Positives: Paul Millsap (1.109), Dwight Howard (0.918), Thabo Sefolosha (0.338), Mike Muscala (0.213)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: Paul Millsap
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: Dikembe Mutombo
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

  • Season Positives: John Collins (0.649), Dewayne Dedmon (0.185), Kent Bazemore (0.178), Mike Muscala (0.028)
  • Notable Movement
    • Entered the Top 10: None
    • Entered the Top 20: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 10: None
    • Dropped out of the Top 20: None

Per-Season GOAT Standings

Perhaps you wish to take longevity out of the equation.

In that case, allow us to reveal the top 30 per-season scores, found simply by dividing total GOAT points by the number of NBA seasons recorded. Do note that injury-shortened campaigns (for example, Michael Jordan’s 1985-86 efforts, in which he played only 18 games while not sidelined with a broken foot) still count the same as full go-rounds. This methodology can also benefit players still in their primes, as they haven’t yet posted twilight seasons that drag down their averages.

Top-Ranked Seasons

Top Rookie Seasons