Tom Brady, one of the most decorated athletes in sports history, has never been shy about expressing admiration for greatness. Yet, his latest take on the “Mount Rushmore of GOATs” has left many NBA fans in stunned disbelief, especially supporters of LeBron James.
In a recent Bleacher Report interview, Brady was asked to name his personal pantheon of athletic greatness. With names like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Shohei Ohtani, his picks drew admiration for their versatility. However, it was who he didn’t mention that sent shockwaves across social media: LeBron James.
“Michael Jordan. He was my childhood idol. He was unbelievable. Obviously, I loved Kobe Bryant. I still love Kobe Bryant. Tiger, his competitiveness. What Rory McIlroy’s done, I love that. Shohei Ohtani, what he’s done has been unbelievable. Barry Bonds he went to my high school. I was the biggest fan of him growing up.”
“Michael Phelps, I love him. Michael Johnson. A’ja Wilson from my Las Vegas Aces, I love her. She’s amazing. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, this little thing they got going, I love that. It’s been really exciting.”
While Brady clearly meant no disrespect, omitting LeBron, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, four-time MVP, and arguably the most influential athlete of the 21st century, did not sit well with fans. The backlash was swift and brutal.
Brady and LeBron are known to share a warm mutual respect. They’ve congratulated each other publicly on career milestones, posed together at events, and will even share the spotlight at the upcoming The Shop episode during Fanatics Fest NYC alongside Victor Wembanyama and Kai Cenat, which is what made Brady’s omission of LeBron even more intriguing or insulting, depending on your perspective.
Some argued Brady simply listed his favorites rather than a true all-time ranking. Others saw the inclusion of up-and-coming stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese as symbolic, not of their accolades yet, but of their impact on culture and the shifting landscape of sports. Still, leaving LeBron off, while including younger names, sparked accusations of bias or even ignorance.
Yet Brady’s list may say more about his nostalgic values than his analytical criteria. His repeated admiration for Jordan reflects the era he grew up in, a time when MJ was a larger-than-life figure influencing kids like Brady to dream big. Meanwhile, his shoutouts to women’s sports, especially the electric rivalry between Clark and Reese, show his appreciation for narrative and cultural momentum.
Still, the omission of LeBron James, especially in the context of a list that had room for Barry Bonds and Rory McIlroy, will linger. Whether intentional or not, Brady has unofficially cast his vote in the long-running GOAT debate. And for now, it’s Jordan over LeBron, with no hesitation.
