The GOAT debate is a hot topic around the NBA once again. After the league celebrated its 75th anniversary, paying homage to the 75 greatest players of all-time in Cleveland last weekend, many people started talking about the never-ending debate.
In recent days, analysts like Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless confirmed that the GOAT, in their eyes, is Michael Jordan. Some folks have made a case for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James, but the consensus around the league is that His Airness is the greatest of all time.
Moreover, Isiah Thomas, one of Jordan’s biggest rivals, made a case for LeBron. Right now, he has Kareem as his GOAT but is convinced that if/when LeBron surpasses the Bucks and Lakers legend on the all-time scoring list, he will be the undisputed greatest of all time.
“I can speak from experience, and I can speak factually and accurately. I’m on that list, Kareem’s on that list, Magic’s on that list and I say all-around player, by the time LeBron James is done, he is the only player in the history of our game that will probably be ranked top-10 or top-five in every single statistical category. Never been done before. Now we’ve had some players who dominate as a scorer, or dominate the boards, but we have never ever ever in my lifetime or anyone else’s who is so thoroughly dominant in every category.
“When I say LeBron James is the GOAT, here’s what I mean. When you talk about he and Kareem in terms of their 20-year dominance, both of them have been able to touch every single aspect of the sport and also be leaders in that category.”
.@IsiahThomas believes that LeBron is the most dominant player he's ever seen.
"When he passes Kareem in scoring, you HAVE to anoint him as the GOAT." 🐐 pic.twitter.com/WQRMnrIX18
— First Take (@FirstTake) February 24, 2022
This is an interesting take from Zeke, but he’s not the first one to say this. Shaquille O’Neal claimed a couple of months ago that surpassing Kareem’s scoring record would make LeBron the GOAT.
He’s still playing at the highest level and nobody knows when he will slow down. Even though the Lakers have been bad this season, LeBron is the main reason why they are still fighting for a playoffs spot.
He could surpass Kareem next season, and when that happens, the GOAT debate will be hot again or we won’t hear about it for the rest of our existence.
