The GOAT debate has been hotter than ever around the NBA world in recent times. The suspension of the 2019/20 season added to Michael Jordan’s 10-part docu-series ‘The Last Dance’ seeing the light sparked something inside every NBA fan, player and analyst to discuss who is the greatest player this game has seen.
There have been great players in the history of basketball, but in recent times, when people talk about the GOAT, they often refer to either Michael Jordan or LeBron James. Those are the favorite names for that conversation and their fans are always trying to make the case for any of them, engaging in endless debates about why one is better than the other.
Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson, who knows very well both Jordan and Bron, shared his opinion about MJ and the comparisons with the King. He joined Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s ‘After the Dance’, talking about Bron and Mike.
“First of all, let’s not take anything away from LeBron James,” Johnson said. “Because LeBron James is a great basketball player, one of the all-time greatest that’s ever played the game. LeBron James to me, when you think about all-around basketball players, he’s probably the best of all time … but when you want to say ‘who’s the greatest ever’ it’s still Michael Jordan.”
“Now, LeBron James’ chapter is not closed yet. He still has some basketball to play. So maybe he has a chance to catch him later on if he can get some more championships under his belt.”
“But at the end of the day they’re both great and they played the game the right way, they made their teammates better and they won championships. And thank God for LeBron, because right now that’s what we’re watching, we’re watching LeBron James. This is his time, this is his era, and he’s dominating this era.”
Magic went straightforward and made his point, picking MJ as the greatest player of all time, but not shutting the door for LeBron to collect a few more titles before he retires and has a better case for the GOAT title. Still, the similarities between the two players are there. MJ was the total dominator of his era and Bron is doing the same nowadays.
