THE GOAT
One question. Decades of greatness. The definitive search for basketball's greatest of all time.
The History of the Greater Egyptian Conference
Over a dozen new photos. Mistakes corrected. Stats and records updated. 73 of the 77 conference MVPs now identified — plus a whole new chapter of Notable Quotes from the players and coaches who lived it.
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Edition
'Moose' would go sit with the opposing team's players before the game and find out who was going to guard him and let them know that they were in a long, hard night.
Dozens more stories and anecdotes from GEC players, coaches, and fans — only in the 2nd Edition.
★ Latest Stories
Read the Decades
NBACountdown to the G.O.A.T. — #4: Wilt Chamberlain
At #4, the player who changed THE game. Wilt Chamberlain was responsible for more rule changes than any player in history — they rewrote the rules to try and neutralize him.
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NBACountdown to the G.O.A.T. — #5: Earvin "Magic" Johnson
The countdown to the #1 greatest basketball player of all time begins. At #5, one of the two players — along with Larry Bird — who rescued the NBA from mediocrity in the early '80s. Part Hollywood, part Mid-America heartland: Earvin "Magic" Johnson.
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Illinois SpecialIllinois HS Greats: More Legends From the 1950s Through the 1990s
11 more Illinois high school basketball greats from seven decades — reader-submitted names recognizing the players and coaches who made their mark on the state's basketball history. Featuring Michael Finley, Dave Corzine, Eric Anderson, and more.
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Illinois SpecialNo Great Illinois High School Player Forgotten — Part II
The latest installment of reader-submitted Illinois high school basketball legends — from Mannie Jackson and Govoner Vaughn at Edwardsville in the 1950s to Patrick Beverley and Martell Bailey in the 2000s — plus a Coach's Corner on Max Kurland, Mike Bailey, Will Slager, and Jim Maxedon.
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Illinois SpecialNo Great Illinois High School Player Forgotten
The next round of reader-submitted Illinois high school basketball greats — from Dave Downey and Don Ohl in the 1950s to Darius Miles in the 2000s — plus a Coach's Corner on Edwardsville's Mike Waldo.
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Illinois SpecialNow Available: The 2nd Edition of The History of the Greater Egyptian Conference
Over a dozen new photos, mistakes corrected, stats and records updated, and 73 of 77 conference MVPs now identified. $20, shipping included. Order via Venmo.
Read MoreCountdown to The G.O.A.T.
It has been four years since The GOAT: The Quest to Find the Best was published. Now the debate begins again — and the top 5 will be revealed one player every Thursday, starting with #5 this Thursday, September 10.
After 10 months of research and consulting with a friend who knows more about the NBA than anyone I know, my book The GOAT: The Quest to Find the Best was published in September of 2022. The 162-page book joined the ranks of the extensive and seemingly never-ending debate about the greatest basketball player of all time.
As a former D1 coach and someone who has been on the bench as a coach for 22 years, I approached the purely hypothetical question from a different perspective than anyone else who has written a book about the subject. I understand that this is an exercise in futility. Generally, a basketball fan's choice for the greatest player is their favorite player — an opinion that comes from the heart more often than the mind. There are very few basketball fans that I have ever discussed this topic with that can remove their "feelings" and focus totally on facts, stats, and a player's accomplishments "on the court." I get it; that is totally normal. So why write a book and devote that much time and effort to answer an unanswerable question? In a way, there is no "right" answer. There are too many intangibles such as era, rule changes, league size, etc. But I couldn't resist — I just love basketball. The debate is timeless, fun, engaging, and provides lively discourse.
When I began my research for this book, I had my favorite childhood player in my top 10, Jerry West. I have been a follower and fan of the NBA since the early 50's. I have seen everyone who has played in the NBA in "real time" throughout my 7 decades. West was my favorite player. The basketball player that I thought was the best, hands down, was Wilt Chamberlain. He may still be. But after I finished my research, I began to look more objectively at many different aspects of the game, the players, and the environment. West did not make my top 10 and Chamberlain was not my GOAT. So what changed my mind?
Greatness is easy to recognize but often hard to define. That is the underlying theme of my book in trying to establish the 75 greatest basketball players of all time. It becomes even a greater challenge as one gets to the top 20 or top 10. And it becomes "impossible" to pick the best of the best in the top 5. That is the conundrum I faced when I got to the "end of the road" and had to pick the G.O.A.T., the greatest of all time. It is an exercise in futility. There are too many changing circumstances to consider over a 78-year period. It certainly isn't a scientific study, more like an abstract painting. That is the reason(s) why when I decided to write a book about the greatest basketball players who ever lived, I decided to base my entire book on a set of criteria that I had developed over 22 years of coaching. I certainly do not have a monopoly on judging talent or any hidden "wizardry" about the game of basketball. But I do have experience as a D1 player and high school, as well as D1 coach.
I have been following the NBA since its conception so there is not one player who I have never seen play, in real time. I have been an eyewitness to many great games and great individual player matchups. That does not make me an authority or even right, but with my 10 criteria it makes me more "legitimate." I stress to everyone who is interested in my book to please read the first 22-page chapter "Choices Based on Sound Criteria" before you turn to the last chapter to see who my #1 player is or even my top 10 players. As the BookTrib review said, "Coach Sutter takes great pains to define his methodology."
The 10 Criteria of Greatness
Long before I began this book, I developed 10 criteria that define basketball greatness. I have coached 7 players drafted into the NBA and defended dozens of other great players. The biggest struggle I had was to "stick" with my criteria and not give in to my feelings or favorites. (Since I wrote this book, I have moved Physicality up ahead of Longevity.)
"...naming the top five or ten best players should be no great mystery, except perhaps the order. But as much as naming names and making picks, the great joy in this book is hearing Coach Sutter talk basketball. Before he even gets to his list, he takes great pains to describe his methodology. And in so doing, he provides marvelous, entertaining anecdotes about so many players that it's hard not to whet readers' appetites about exploring his actual picks."
— BookTrib
The Rankings: #10 through #1
Each player has a bio and a little-known "gem" in the book. Here are the names — the full stories are inside.
Oscar Robertson
The architect of the "triple double" — and it was nothing back then.
Tim Duncan
The power forward that sets the bar — the "Yardstick" by which all others are measured.
Hakeem Olajuwon
Footwork so devastating it became a pilgrimage for every big man in the league.
Larry Bird
Saw the game two passes ahead — and let you know about it while he did.
Shaquille O'Neal
The most physically dominant force the NBA has ever seen in the paint.
Magic Johnson
Part Hollywood, part Mid-America heartland — the player who, with Bird, rescued the NBA from mediocrity.
Wilt Chamberlain
The player who changed THE game — more rules were rewritten to neutralize him than any player in history.
Revealed — September 17
#4 — Wilt Chamberlain
Last week at #5 in my countdown to the greatest basketball player of all time I presented the player that changed A position in basketball, point guard. This week at #4, I am going to present a player that changed THE game. Wilt Chamberlain, who many basketball fans consider the GOAT, was responsible for more rule changes than any other player in the history of the game. At least five rules were changed to try and neutralize his effect on the game. Goal tending, rules of execution on the free throw lane were just two rules that were changed due to Chamberlain. He could throw the basketball off the backboard while attempting a free throw, go rebound the ball and dunk it for a basket.
Center · 7'1" · 1959–1973
13× All-Star · 10× All-NBA · 7× Scoring Champion · 11× TRB Champion · 2× NBA Champion · 4× NBA MVP · ROY · 2× All-Defensive Team · 1× Finals MVP · 75th Anniversary Team · Hall of Fame
Wilt Chamberlain was the most dominating basketball player of his generation and arguably the most dominating player to ever play the game. No other player has been responsible for so many rule changes to the game of basketball than Wilt Chamberlain — free throw lane, free throw shooting, goal tending, etc. Like Jabbar, Chamberlain could not enter the NBA as a teenager right out of high school but began his NBA career in 1959 at the age of 23. That is truly significant in sports when your youth and physicality are so important. In Chamberlain's first year in the league, he led the league in points with a 37.6 average, rebounds with a 27.0 average, and minutes played.
"The Big Dipper," his favorite nickname, led the league in points seven times including a record 50.4 points per game in 1961-62, a record that still stands. He led the league in rebounds 11 times including an average of over 27 in 1959-60 and 1960-61. In his 14 seasons he led the league 9 times in minutes per game played. Wilt had 124 30/30 games in his career — all other NBA players COMBINED have had 32.
Chamberlain holds many firsts or onlys in the NBA: only player to average 50 points a game, only player to score 100 points in a game, only center to lead the league in assists (he did that in response to sports writers accusing him of shooting too much and not being able to pass). Wilt is the only player to average 30 points and 20 rebounds for a season, only player to get 2,000 rebounds in one season (2,149), only player to score over 4,000 points in a season (4,029).
Chamberlain finished his career with 31,419 points (currently 7th all-time), 23,924 rebounds (currently 1st all-time), and 4,643 assists. Neither Wilt nor Russell played in the NBA when blocked shots were kept — they would have likely finished #1 and #2 in that category.
The only two criticisms ever made about Chamberlain were that he only won two NBA titles, and he could not shoot free throws. Only one of these is fair — he could not shoot free throws. As for championships, basketball is a team game. Chamberlain never had great players as teammates except for a few years. No matter how much fluff and rhetoric is spouted about the matchup between Russell and Chamberlain, Wilt dominated their head-to-head. In 94 regular season games between the two, Wilt averaged 29.9 points to Russell's 14.2, and 28.1 rebounds to Russell's 22.9. In the playoffs, the numbers were about the same — Wilt averaging 25.7 points to Russell's 14.9 and 28.0 rebounds to 24.7.
I have always said that if Wilt and Russ would have switched teams, the records would have been the same — or perhaps the Celtics might have NEVER lost a championship. Russell himself said, "Wilt Chamberlain was the most athletic player to EVER play in the NBA."
They say that records are meant to be broken, but I think Wilt Chamberlain set records in the NBA that will never be broken. He still holds 72 NBA records, and he retired over 50 years ago! Wilt won four NBA MVPs but for some inexplicable reason he DID NOT win the award the year he averaged 50 points and 25 rebounds. (Russell did.)
So how can Wilt not be the G.O.A.T.? When I started this book, I thought he would be. I have always maintained that he was the greatest. What changed my mind? Longevity, the era in which he played, and through no fault of his, the lack of championships. The NBA kept changing rules to try and neutralize his tremendous talent, but he still dominated the league like no one else ever has. I or any NBA savant could easily make an argument for Wilt to be the G.O.A.T.
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The Top 5 — Every Thursday
One player. One week. Five weeks of suspense. Starting with #5 this Thursday — and building to the #1 G.O.A.T.
#5
✓ Revealed
#4
✓ Revealed
#3
Thursday, Sept 24
#2
Thursday, Oct 1
#1 — The G.O.A.T.
Thursday, Oct 8
Can't wait? The full top 10, with bios and gems for every player, is in the book.
Let the debate begin. One player. Every Thursday. Until the G.O.A.T. is crowned.
★ Explore
Illinois All-Decade Teams
From the 1950s through the 2010s — the greatest high school basketball talent Illinois has ever produced, all in one place.
View All-Decade Teams →The Most Successful Illinois High School
Basketball Programs of the Last Seven Decades
1950s – 2010s · And the Coaches That Made Them
Jack Sutter turns his attention from the best players to the best teams — and the Hall of Fame coaches who built them. Seven decades of wins, championships, and legacies from across the state of Illinois.
Arthur Trout
Centralia
811–330
3 State Titles
Stan Changnon
Mt. Vernon
230–59
2 State Titles
Harry Combs
Champaign HS
254–46
1 State Title
Dolph Stanley
Taylorville
217–49
'44 Team: 45-0
Never Miss a Story
Get an email when Jack publishes a new article. No spam — just basketball history.
The Climb to Greatness
Greatness is easy to recognize but often hard to define. That is a phrase I have used several times in my book The GOAT: The Quest to Find the Best. As they say, greatness, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. I suppose that can be the case sometimes but "true" greatness is not based on an opinion or a person's likes and dislikes.
But what sets Jack's book apart from so many others that have written about the best basketball players of all time is he has seen all of them play. It may be true that some talent, like beauty, is unmistakable; it still begs for an answer to why. "Before Jack even got into his list of the greatest basketball players of all time, he developed a methodology to explain in detail why he ranked the players the way he did," wrote BookRib in their review.
I have played, coached, and been a fan of this great game for over 73 years. I began paying attention to basketball when I was 9 years old. I have seen, in real time, every player who has risen to the level of the NBA. In writing the book, The GOAT, it was difficult sometimes to stick with my criteria and not let feelings interfere. My basketball hero as I was growing up did not make my top 10. The player I thought was the greatest player for years before I began my research and wrote the book, finished 4th. There is a big difference between who you like, and think is the greatest and who checks the boxes that define greatness.
It has almost been 5 years since I wrote my book. I have been asked if there has been any player since I published my book that deserves a place in the top 10? I believe, at this time, there are only three potential candidates. Steph, KD, and Giannis. They are the best candidates, other than the one who is already in my top 10. But every time I talk with anyone or seriously contemplate changing my top 10, I come back to this one question. Who do I remove?
When I ask my very knowledgeable basketball friends, they always say take the "ole" guys out. I often hear this among NBA pundits as well. But when I start going over the research and looking back on my criteria, I think these three would be better now than when they played. Oscar Robertson is the architect of the "triple double" and it was nothing back then. Wilt Chamberlain still holds over 50 NBA records, and even Bill Russell said he was the best athlete to ever play in the NBA. In my book I talk about "The Yardstick" by which all other players are measured. Tim Duncan is the power forward that sets the bar.
So, after a lot of thinking and "soul searching", I have decided to leave my top 10 and even my top 20 the same for the near future. Sorry Steph, you are still the third best point guard of all time, for now. KD, you are the best "scorer" in the NBA, a match-up nightmare, but I'm not ready to replace Bird, Kareem or Duncan, right now. Giannis has had a brilliant 13-year career, but I'm not ready to elevate him into the top 10 or even place him above my second ten. Beauty and greatness may be in the "eye of the beholder", but I prefer a more "scientific" approach based on research, evaluation, statistics, and achievements.
#10 through #4
What Makes a Great Basketball Player
I spent over 10 months doing research and writing my book. I was a high school and college basketball coach for 22 years. I have been involved with basketball for over 70 years. During these years I have developed a philosophy and some principles that have become the basis for my thoughts and ideas about the game I love. My criteria are based on my experiences as a player, coach, and fan. I used these 10 criteria to define greatness on the basketball court.
Dominance
The best player on the floor. Every athlete rises to a level that is their maximum level of success. At every level of competition, even in the NBA, there is one player that rises above the rest.
Physicality
As it is defined by Webster "intensely physical orientation". Size, quickness, speed, jumping ability are all components but equally as important is the development of those God given attributes. *In my book I have this third but since I wrote my book in 2022, I have moved it up to number two.
Longevity
Simply stated, for how long a period of time was the player elite? I reward consistency whether that is for a game, season, or career. I believe it takes perseverance, discipline, hard work, and often just good fortune to stay healthy and compete at the highest level year after year. I believe it is harder to stay on top than to get there.
Offense vs. Defense
Offense requires more skill to master than defense. Defense may travel or be more consistent or whatever other cliché you want to use but it takes more athletic ability to score than to keep someone from scoring.
Statistics
There is a reason why I list stats fifth and not first or second. They can be misleading and influenced by circumstances. There are no other criteria that has been influenced more by the rules, court, and era than statistics. Numbers can deceive.
Awards and Honors
This criteria is very relevant to the era. There were several awards that were not given until 1956-57 such as the MVP. Other awards like All-Defensive was first given in 1968-69. I give more "weight" to modern day recipients because of the number of teams and players. (It is harder to win an award with 450 players in the league than 90 and it is harder to win a title with 30 teams rather than 8 or 9.)
Winning
This may be the most controversial criteria, not because it is a criteria but because I have it #7. I understand the object of the game is to win AND the most important thing is to win. BUT basketball is a TEAM sport, and ONE player does not win a championship. I go into detail explaining my philosophy about roles, contributions, chemistry, etc. in my book.
Yardstick
I recently did a post about the "yardstick". The yardstick is the measuring device (player) that is the best in a particular fundamental or aspect of the game by which all other players are measured. i.e. shooting Curry or Bird, rebounding Wilt or Russell.
Clutch
The player who performs at the highest level in the greatest of pressure situations. Who thrives in the playoffs and when the lights are brightest?
Plays Both Ends of the Court
I have offense as my fourth most important criteria but I do not believe that a player can be considered great without being a good defensive player. There are no players in my Top 75 just because they scored a lot of points.
*I go into much more detail defining and explaining my criteria in my book.
These are the 10 criteria that I believe are the best indicators of greatness. I think it is easy to recognize greatness but difficult to define it. These criteria help me to not only recognize it but to use it to differentiate levels of greatness.
Jack Sutter
Jack Sutter's basketball journey began in the small farming and coal mining town of Galatia, Illinois, where he learned the game on a dirt court. What started as a childhood passion evolved into a lifetime of dedication to basketball at every level — as a player, coach, historian, and author.
As an All-State player in Illinois, Jack developed the skills and basketball IQ that would define his career. He went on to play Division 1 basketball at Middle Tennessee State, where he gained firsthand experience competing against and observing some of the game's greatest players.
Jack's coaching career spanned 22 years at the collegiate level, where he made two NIT appearances and achieved a Top 10 ranking during his four years at Oral Roberts University. He coached three All-Americans and helped develop seven NBA draft picks, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of his players both on and off the court.
One of Jack's most meaningful accomplishments came when a former player from 50 years ago recently texted him about the Illinois All-Decade voting project, saying he was amazed that Jack was still innovating and connecting with the basketball community at 81 years old. That message captures the essence of Jack's legacy: a basketball lifer who continues to contribute to the game he loves.
Career Highlights
70+ Years in Basketball
Seven decades of playing, coaching, and analyzing the game at the highest levels.
22 Years Coaching
College coaching career with 2 NIT appearances and Top 10 ranking at ORU.
3 All-Americans
Coached three All-American players during his collegiate coaching tenure.
7 NBA Draftees
Helped develop and prepare seven players who went on to the NBA.
