As a former ESPN writer and lifelong analyst, I’ve watched both legends from the sidelines. SGA’s 2024 championship—earned without star-studded trades or roster inflation—forces us to reevaluate what 'true' greatness looks like. This isn’t about ranking icons. It’s about integrity in achievement. In this deep dive, I break down how a clean path to a title, real MVP metrics, and historic firsts challenge the myth of inevitability. Spoiler: some stats don’t lie.