NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson recently stated on The Basketball Society Podcast that Michael Jordan is still in competition with LeBron James due to the GOAT debate. Robinson’s comments came to the attention of Ron Harper, and he revealed that Jordan, his former teammate, does not care about the debate.
“MJ wouldn’t give a s*** about this BS, he has never care for the goat talk and anything else…”
Jordan has never publicly proclaimed himself to be the best ever. He has even gone as far as to say that you can’t really call anyone the GOAT because you can’t compare players from different eras. Jordan stated that all this talk is for PR and selling stories, and he has no interest in getting into this.
James, on the other hand, has boldly declared that he is the best basketball player ever. These two sure have completely different ways of approaching this subject.
Getting back to Robinson, this is what he had to say about the relationship between Jordan and James on the podcast.
“I think Michael and LeBron’s conversations will enhance more when LeBron is towards the end, which could happen sooner rather than later,” Robinson said. “… LeBron could win two more championships, he could. Whether that’s in Los Angeles, whether he signs somewhere else, whether he gets traded.
“So I think LeBron’s story is still being written,” Robinson added. “You don’t want to give your competitor any type of advice to chase me, meaning Michael.”
James currently has four titles, four Finals MVPs, four MVPs, a scoring title, and an assists title to his name. He is also the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and has managed to put together a compelling case to be regarded as the GOAT.
The prevailing notion, though, is that Jordan still holds that title. He won six titles, six Finals MVPs, five MVPs, one DPOY, and 10 scoring titles in his career. Some advice could potentially help James close that gap and have a stronger case.
So, is there a little bit of that fear? Well, Harper, who three-peated with Jordan and the Chicago Bulls from 1996 to 1998, disagrees.
For his part, James has actually spoken about Jordan not wanting to talk to him until he retires.
“So like, I think it’s ’cause I’m still playing, you know? And MJ’s, we all know MJ, even if you don’t know him personally, he’s one of the most ruthless competitors there is.”
“And ‘til I’m done, and he doesn’t have to look at me run up and down wearing the number 23, and every time my name is mentioned, it’s mentioned with his, he’s like, ‘I don’t f***ing talk to you. Don’t talk to me right now. I’m on the back nine. Do not call me.’”
James stated that he didn’t have a great relationship with Kobe Bryant for the longest time, either. It was only after Bryant retired that they got closer. James added that he hopes to have a great relationship with Jordan after he walks away from the game. It’s unclear when the 40-year-old will retire, though.
James just averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.6 blocks for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2024-25. The 21-time All-Star has gas left in the tank, and it will be interesting to see how much longer he decides to carry on.
