The debate over the NBA’s Greatest of All Time has raged for decades, but when the youngest stars in today’s league were asked for their pick, the results revealed a clear generational lean, and it’s one that tilts heavily toward LeBron James.
When it comes to the current generation of players under 30, LeBron James has pulled ahead as the clear favorite. Seven of the league’s brightest young stars, Ja Morant, Cade Cunningham, Trae Young, Jaren Jackson Jr., Karl-Anthony Towns, De’Aaron Fox, and Paolo Banchero, have declared him the greatest of all time.
Michael Jordan still holds firm respect with five votes from Luka Doncic, Victor Wembanyama, Cooper Flagg, Jaylen Brown, and Zion Williamson.
Kobe Bryant secured three nods from Jayson Tatum, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Jalen Williams, while Brandon Miller went entirely against the grain, picking Paul George.
Ja Morant called LeBron the GOAT after James broke the all-time scoring record.
Cade Cunningham crowned him over Jordan, explaining, “LeBron is the best player I’ve seen with my eyes.”
Trae Young echoed that sentiment on social media, ranking him first in his all-time list and tweeting that LeBron is the GOAT.
Karl-Anthony Towns revealed his choice on the Club Shay Shay podcast, while Jaren Jackson Jr. made his pick after the Lakers eliminated the Grizzlies in the 2023 Playoffs.
De’Aaron Fox sided with LeBron in an interview with HoopsHype, saying, “I didn’t watch Michael Jordan play, so I’m not going to pick somebody I didn’t watch.”
Paolo Banchero had his own fan moment after James posted him on his Instagram story, writing, “That’s my GOAT fr.”
Michael Jordan, though, remains untouchable for several rising stars.
Luka Doncic confidently answered “It’s MJ” when asked during the Mavericks’ preseason games in Abu Dhabi in 2024.
Victor Wembanyama admitted he once leaned toward LeBron but ultimately said winning tipped the scales for Jordan.
Cooper Flagg, widely regarded as the next great American prospect, named Jordan without hesitation.
Jaylen Brown praised Jordan’s one-of-one status on the “Earn Your Leisure” podcast, stating that not even LeBron had surpassed him.
Zion Williamson also cast his vote for MJ, citing his legendary competitive nature.
Kobe Bryant’s influence continues to shape the mentality of the league’s young stars.
Jayson Tatum has long called Kobe his GOAT, saying he sees himself in the late legend.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took it a step further, once saying, “Kobe is Michael Jordan on steroids,” and frequently referring to him as his favorite player of all time.
Jalen Williams also picked Bryant, honoring the Mamba’s relentless approach to the game.
Then there’s Brandon Miller, who made headlines by picking Paul George as his GOAT during his draft night interview.
In a league where Jordan, LeBron, and Kobe dominate this conversation, Miller’s choice stood out as a rare and unapologetic tribute to one of his biggest inspirations.
This generational poll offers more than just a fun debate, it’s a glimpse into how the legends of the past are perceived by the future of the league. For younger players, the GOAT conversation is shaped not only by stats and championships but also by who they grew up watching and modeling their games after.
LeBron’s reign in this survey underscores his ability to inspire and connect with the league’s incoming stars, just as Jordan and Kobe did with theirs.
Of course, the GOAT debate is far from settled. This is just one chapter in a larger series that will explore the picks from players of different eras, starting with stars from the 2010s, then moving back to the 2000s, the 1990s, and even earlier generations. Each era’s perspective promises to add more fuel to one of basketball’s most enduring and passionate arguments.
For now, though, the verdict from the new generation is clear: in their eyes, LeBron James is the man to beat.
