mark wilcox

Consumer marketing, Ai & business development consulting & sales, a strategic doer focused helping clients' reach their goals and enjoy getting there as well.

[mark wilcox @MW_AZ]

@vxylily 8

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@trad_west_ Once Upon A Time In The West

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@elonmusknews30 👍

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@SwPrayer Amen

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Nothing creates excitement at the start of the NBA season like a discussion on the greatest players. Here is my take: The Three Faces of Greatness in the NBA
Over my 72 years of watching basketball, I’ve had the privilege of seeing the NBA evolve through different eras of greatness — from the giants who dominated the paint, to the killers who refused to lose, to the masters whose precision and fundamentals elevated the game itself.
In my view, there are three distinct faces of greatness:
1. The Dominant Players who overwhelmed the game through force, size, and willpower.
2. The Killers who would win at all costs — mentally, physically, and spiritually.
3. The Fundamentally Skilled players who combined intelligence and technique to redefine how the game is played.
I. The Most Dominant Players Ever
In my lifetime, three players stand alone as the most physically dominant forces the game has ever seen: Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O’Neal — with an asterisk for George Mikan, whom I never saw play but know was a pioneer in his era.
Wilt Chamberlain was a one-man revolution. His statistics are still staggering — a 100-point game, a season averaging over 50 points and 25 rebounds — feats that sound mythical even today. The league literally had to change rules to contain him.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar brought refinement to dominance. His trademark skyhook was unguardable, and his longevity unmatched — six MVPs, six championships, and two decades of sustained excellence. Kareem blended intellect with grace, turning efficiency into artistry.
Shaquille O’Neal was dominance incarnate. At his peak, Shaq combined massive size with surprising quickness and agility. Teams built entire defensive schemes — and even adjusted roster construction — just to try to contain him.
George Mikan, though from an earlier generation, deserves acknowledgment as the original dominant big man. His play helped shape the post position and forced the league to adapt, laying the foundation for every great center who followed.
These were players who didn’t just win — they altered the physics of the game itself.
II. The Greatest Killers in NBA History
Dominance wins games; killer instinct wins championships. These are the players who had the mental edge — the ability to impose their will, raise their game when it mattered most, and destroy any opponent’s confidence: Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Kobe Bryant, and Magic Johnson.
Michael Jordan was the ultimate competitor. Every moment on the court was a challenge he had to conquer. He played like his reputation was on the line every possession — and his six championships reflect that relentless drive.
Bill Russell didn’t care about personal stats; he cared about banners. His 11 championships in 13 seasons are the product of focus, intelligence, and total devotion to team success.
Larry Bird was deceptively ruthless. He’d tell defenders exactly what he planned to do, then do it — with icy precision. His confidence and competitiveness were as legendary as his shot-making.
Kobe Bryant carried the torch of Jordan’s killer instinct into the next generation. His Mamba Mentality was built on obsession — a constant hunger to outwork, outthink, and outlast everyone else on the court.
Magic Johnson was a smiling assassin. Behind the grin and the showmanship was an unshakable will to win. His versatility and leadership changed the course of games — and history — in the blink of an eye.
These five weren’t just great players — they were closers, killers in clutch moments who found ways to win when everyone else tightened up.
III. The Most Fundamentally Sound and Skilled Players
Then there are the artists — the players who married skill, fundamentals, and IQ into a formula for sustainable winning. They didn’t just play basketball; they understood it on a deeper level. My five choices are Stephen Curry, Tim Duncan, LeBron James, Nikola Jokić, and John Stockton.
Stephen Curry changed the geometry of basketball. His perfect shooting mechanics, tireless movement, and creative spacing redefined how offenses function — and how defenses must stretch to cover him.
Tim Duncan earned his nickname, The Big Fundamental. Every move, every decision, every angle was textbook. He didn’t need flash — his brilliance was in the precision and calm consistency that anchored five championships.
LeBron James combined the fundamentals of every position into one player. His ability to read the floor, pass, score, and defend — while carrying the weight of a franchise — redefined what leadership and versatility look like.
Nikola Joki�� represents the evolution of the game’s intellect. His touch, vision, and anticipation make him both a point guard and center in one body. Watching Jokić is like watching a grandmaster orchestrate a living chessboard.
John Stockton was efficiency personified. Every pass had purpose. Every play was timed perfectly. His assist and steal records will likely never be broken, a testament to pure discipline and execution.
These players didn’t need to overpower or intimidate — they mastered the game. They taught us that basketball, at its core, is about precision, decision-making, and trust in fundamentals.
Conclusion: Three Paths to Greatness
Looking back across seven decades of the NBA, I see these three categories — Dominance, Killer Instinct, and Fundamentals — as the true pillars of greatness.
Wilt, Kareem, and Shaq showed how size and power can bend the game’s boundaries.
Jordan, Russell, Bird, Kobe, and Magic revealed the psychology of winning — the will to conquer.
Curry, Duncan, LeBron, Jokić, and Stockton demonstrated that intelligence, efficiency, and skill can be just as lethal as strength or swagger.
Each player reflects a different expression of what makes the NBA timeless — the pursuit of perfection in its many forms.

[mark wilcox @MW_AZ]

@Faithful2Pray Joan of Arc

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@yestheymatch Red hair and smile! Lovely!

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@Sachinettiyil USA

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@SiriusXMNBA My scoring five: Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem, George Gervin, Walter Davis, Steph Curry!

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@elonmuskADO Yes

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@RickKamlaSports Kam, love your NBA show! But I was driving with my wife listening when you said the Lakers were going to win game 1 in Denver. I turned to my wife and said he must not of seen what they did to our Suns! (Suns seats for years) I told her that Denver is going to sweep the Lakers!

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@WSJ You are going to be even more famous! Very cool!

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Connecting with On-the-Fence Customers https://t.co/xOUevdjkEe

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What food retailers should do during the coronavirus crisis https://t.co/pwIYXyoxJg via @McKinsey

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Stanford psychology expert: This is the No. 1 work skill of the future—but most fail to realize it https://t.co/SIsWkc1e5F

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Are You Ready For AI And Automation? https://t.co/eEKyUNKvOm via @Forrester

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How CX Influences and Informs Digital Product Management https://t.co/2Kcm2WYqGS via @CustomerThink

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Brands Must Prepare For Advertising In A Cookie-Less World https://t.co/HBCd1mNDXX @AdExchanger

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CMOs Share Their Top Priorities for Remainder of 2019 https://t.co/WEEsqZYvaG via @domnicastro

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6 AI Marketing Use Cases and What You Can Learn From Them https://t.co/XOho7kmINH