[fletch_irwin_m]

I heard Russell speak last year and he said that it is impossible to compare players of different era's. He talked about how he would have to stay in different hotels and eat in different restaurants then the white players. Imagine MJ having to do that? If you go with era's, it still isn't easy.
If I had the number one pick I would take any of the following:
Wilt
Russel
Bird
Maravich
Oscar
Jordan (although I can't stand him@!)
Lambeer (just because he is my all time favorite player, just ahead of Adrian Dantley.)
Magic