The GOAT debate has always been lopsided in favor of the Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan. While fans take the name of LeBron James as someone who has surpassed or will surpass MJ in the future, most still believe that Jordan is the GOAT.
Both players are great and it’s tough to compare. For starters, they played in different eras. Secondly, Mike’s impact on the league is simply something that can never be replicated again.
So it seems pointless to talk about the GOAT debate. NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, who is now an NBA analyst, once slammed the media and labeled the GOAT debate as just lazy.
He has always been an MJ guy, and he even gave a few very good reasons for why the former Bulls superstar is the GOAT. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t appreciate what LeBron James has done in the league.
LeBron James Has The Greatest Story In NBA History Per Chuck
Coming into the NBA, James was already burdened with the expectations of millions of NBA fans. They expected him to be a great player right off the bat. Well, James did just that and was an amazing player from the very first day that he stepped foot in the league.
“LeBron’s story is arguably the greatest story in the history of sports”
– Charles Barkley on the Draymond Green Show
— 🎭 (@MaskedInLA) September 17, 2022
“I think what LeBron has accomplished is arguably the greatest story in sports history. For number one, you look at Kobe, Kevin Garnett, guys like that, they were not good players when they first got into the NBA. LeBron is the only player in my forty years in the NBA who played great from day one. And for him to turn into one of the best players ever, he’s never gotten in trouble, especially in this 24-hour news cycle with social media. For him to be as great as he’s been from the year 18 to where he’s at now, I think it’s one of the greatest stories in sports history. He was that good from day one.”
Chuck named a few players who might have been great later in their careers, but they took their time in getting used to the NBA.
However, as per Barkley, James is the only player in NBA history that he has seen who has been good from day one. Moreover, he has maintained his greatness throughout his career. So much so that even when he’s all set to enter the 20th season of his NBA career, he is still regarded as one of the best players in the league.
