The debate surrounding the greatest player of all time continues to heat up. For years, fans have been debating who is the greatest player of all time; Michael Jordan or LeBron James? Both sides have their supporters, as they make the case for one over the other. But LeBron James recently gave his take on the matter, and it was a bold take, to say the least.
During an interview with Kenny Smith, LeBron James noted that he was the greatest player of all time, and him bringing the Cleveland Cavaliers back from 3-1 down to beat the Golden State Warriors and win the NBA championship was the vindication that he needed for that belief.
This statement has not gone down well among the NBA community. And NBA analyst Chris Broussard recently suggested that LeBron James may be insecure about his legacy when it comes to the GOAT debate, at least as it relates to the constant comparisons with Michael Jordan.
Speaking on the matter on First Things First, Broussard noted that LeBron James’ consistently talking about being the GOAT is reflecting his insecurity. He noted that his argument relies on the 3-1 comeback, and that achievement does not justify his status as the GOAT. While Broussard believes LeBron is the 2nd best ever, he doesn’t think he has done nearly as much as Jordan to be considered the best ever (0:24 mark).
"I say LeBron is No. 2. LeBron's showing insecurity — he keeps talking about it. If you're that guy you don't have to keep telling us. It's not just 6 rings. LeBron made the East shiver in his sight, MJ did it to the entire NBA. Once he took over, no one ate." — @Chris_Broussard pic.twitter.com/6Ciq8pFgBZ
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) February 21, 2022
“I think LeBron’s showing insecurity, because he keeps talking about it… But LeBron keeps bringing it up, let other people talk about it. If you’re that guy, you don’t have to keep telling us. I get it, Muhammad Ali used to always tell us he’s the greatest. But that was part of his schtick, he did it with humor… LeBron is saying it seriously because he’s out there looking at (it like) ‘man, everybody got Jordan ahead of me. I’m putting this out there with my logic, 3-1 down, who came back from that?’… That argument doesn’t hold water. I’m not going to sit here and say that boxer that got up after being knocked down came back and won the fight is better than the one who the guy didn’t even touch and dominated the fight……It’s not just 6 rings, it’s more than that. When LeBron was in the East, Toronto and Boston would shiver in his sight. He did that to the East, Michael Jordan did that to the entire NBA. Once Jordan took over, no one ate.”
Broussard makes some good points about LeBron’s comments. James should not be the one to be declaring himself the greatest of all time. While LeBron’s confidence and belief in himself are admirable, it does come across as him being conceited, especially since he is in the minority when it comes to his argument.
But at the same time, LeBron is being admonished for comments that fans and analysts would respect Jordan for. While Jordan has never called himself the GOAT, even once noting that he could not accept that monicker, there is no denying that he would get a lot of respect from fans and analysts if he did call himself the GOAT.
