LeBron James and Michael Jordan are the two most common names you’ll hear in the NBA GOAT conversation. To the younger generation, and many former players, LeBron officially claimed that title when he became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. But to plenty of others, including former Celtics coach Doc Rivers Michael Jordan is and always will be the greatest.
“I hate the GOAT debate. You know, I’m a Michael guy,” said Doc, “but that doesn’t mean anything bad about LeBron. For me, the single player is Mike but it doesn’t make LeBron bad.”
To protect himself from potential backlash, Rivers gave credit to LeBron in another way by claiming he will have the best career out of anyone by the time he retires.
“LeBron’s gonna have the greatest career ever. It’s no doubt, he’s going to have the GOAT career,” argued Rivers. “I don’t know why but it feels like if you say one, that means you putting done the other one…. they’re both amazing.”
LeBron’s consistency and longevity is something we’ve never seen before in the NBA and it’s impossible to deny how impressive it is. Even so, Michael Jordan was arguably the more valuable player when you look at everything he brings to the floor.
Michael Jordan Is A Legend
What was it about Jordan that made him so special on the court? Besides his extraordinary speed, strength, and natural athleticism, Jordan worked harder than anyone else in the league and he never let himself get outworked in a game. His relentless competitive spirit brought out the best in his teammates and kept the Bulls in focus no matter who was their opponent that day. Couple these aspects with Michael’s electric personality, and it’s easy to see why he left such a strong impression on the game.
By the time he retired in 2003, Jordan’s legacy as the GOAT was already secured as a 6x champion, 5x MVP, 14x All-Star, and 10x scoring leader. There was a time when it was thought impossible for anybody to surpass the Bulls legend, but the rise of LeBron James has changed that reality, and his claim to the top spot grows increasingly more convincing by the day.
LeBron James Is Building His Case
In 20 years and counting, LeBron James is having, arguably, the best career of any NBA player. Somehow, despite over ten thousand minutes played, he continues to be one of the best in the world and it’s getting harder and harder to deny his claim as the GOAT. As a 4x MVP, 4x champion, and 19x All-Star, nobody has come closer to the top of the hierarchy than James and he’s still adding to his legacy today.
Of course, LeBron will never get unanimous recognition as the greatest and there will always be someone who ranks Jordan, Kobe, or Kareem over him. But it’s impossible to deny LeBron’s place in the discussion and if he keeps going like this for too much longer, even his biggest haters may have to re-think their assessment of the King.
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