The GOAT debate is one of the biggest debates in the NBA. Many players have come and gone but only a select few have reached the heights to be considered the Greatest Of All Time.
On top of your head, the two names that come to mind might be LeBron James and Michael Jordan. MJ played a huge role in the globalization of the NBA and on the court he was simply a sensational winner. On top of that, he had that killer mentality that made fans fall in love with his game.
While MJ is regarded as the GOAT for most, many would debate whether LeBron James ranks over him. Coming into the league as a teenager, James was already labeled “The Chosen One.” Since day 1 at the job, he has had the world’s eyes on him. Despite the unreal expectations, for the most part, he has delivered on them. But since he doesn’t have a clean record in the Finals, he will remain one step behind Mike for most NBA fans.
While that should be the case, according to a graphic spotted by an NBA shooting coach popularly known as Lethal Shooter, it has placed LBJ in Tier 3 of the GOAT pyramid.
Just saw this on my timeline🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️
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Do you agree? What would you change?! #NBA #LethalShooter pic.twitter.com/E8F8oIKItb
— Lethal Shooter (@LethalShooter__) October 18, 2021
The list featured Mike at the top, quite obviously. Followed by Bill Russell, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Tier 2.
James was placed in Tier 3 with the likes of Larry Bird, Kevin Durant, Tim Duncan, etc. There is no doubt that all the players in the tier are pretty amazing, but it seems a bit disrespectful to place LeBron alongside them. Many NBA fans got into a heated debate due to this post as well.
LeBron is the greatest basketball player of all time .
— Declan (@HaalandFC_) October 18, 2021
Tier 1 – I believe should have Bill Russel, Kareem, MJ and Lebron.
— HoopLife (@sportsandlife) October 18, 2021
Bron in tier 1 with mj.
— Nestor Amaya (@namayajr15) October 18, 2021
https://twitter.com/bogdankatoula/status/1449995791620321280
Why does everyone hate Lebron? And was Jordan’s time in Washington included? People always act like that doesn’t count. This pyramid is terrible.
— Uncle Richie Jr (@unclerichiejr80) October 18, 2021
Where TF is Hakeem Olajuwon?
— Nik Tes (@smedich1) October 18, 2021
Kobe, Jordan, Lebron Tier 1
T2-Shaq magic Kareem
— A (@BoweBanks) October 18, 2021
Tier 1 – Mj, LeBron, Kareem
Tier 2 – Magic, Duncan, Bird, Shaq
Tier 3 – Hakeem, Kobe, KD, Wilt, Russell, Curry
— Isaiah Wilhite (@isaiah_wilhite) October 18, 2021
Someone putting Lebron on tier 3 is beyond disrespectful
— Sam G. (@sgamuel) October 18, 2021
I'm not the biggest Bron fan but I give credit were its due he should be in the 2nd tier I like Shaq but Bron the better player.
— Terrance Holloway (@tmac36daexpert) October 18, 2021
This is the worst hierarchy i have ever seen. The kobe fantasy has to end guys.
— david seeleu (@DrTeeff) October 18, 2021
Tier 1 is correct, but honestly Lebron is Tier 2 no question. Swap Lebron and Shaq.
— Scoli (@Scoli86) October 18, 2021
Apart from LeBron being placed incorrectly, many fans were wondering where Hakeem Olajuwon is as well. All things considered, the list seems inaccurate and most fans agree.
As for LeBron being placed in the T2, it should be a no-brainer. But if we talk about putting him in T1, he still needs to win at least another NBA championship.
To put things into perspective, here is what LeBron needs to do to have a career similar to MJ:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CTETAJBB0MV
The gap is not that wide, but it is still there. That being said, James still has a few good years left in himself, and he has a shot at leveling a few of Jordan’s stats. Will he be able to do that? We will get a much better idea of the same when the new season gets underway pretty soon.
