Jayson Tatum isn’t shying away from the GOAT debate. On the ‘Million Dollaz Worth of Game’ podcast, the Celtics star revealed his stance on the all-time hierarchy, insisting that Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant should always be locked into everyone’s top five.
“Anybody that don’t have Mike, LeBron, and Kobe in their top five, I really have a hard time listening to,” said Tatum. “I think 4-5 is very interchangeable, but I think these three, nobody should ever be above them.”
Tatum has more authority than most to speak on the NBA’s all-time hierarchy. As a champion, 6x All-Star, and 5x All-NBA player, he’s already proven he knows what it takes to succeed. Plus, with averages of 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game last season, he knows how to be highly effective on the court.
Even as a Celtics lifer, Tatum has a very set ranking for the NBA’s top three spots, and none of them are Celtics. For Tatum, Kobe Bryant counts as his GOAT for various reasons. Growing up, it was the player he idolized most and even molded his moveset after. As a five-time champion, former MVP, and 18x All-Star, Bryant has a strong case even if it doesn’t quite hold up to LeBron and Jordan’s. Tatum is one of the few to recognize Kobe as his GOAT, as most NBA personnel would give Michael Jordan that title.
The six-time champion is a five-time MVP and 14x All-Star who defined an entire era of the sport. As an elite defender and unstoppable scorer, there were no holes in his game and it allowed the Bulls to enjoy an era of unprecedented prosperity. Between going 6-0 in the Finals and his status as the ultimate celebrity, Jordan’s legacy is widely considered untouchable as the greatest player ever.
Of course, LeBron James is challenging that legacy. After 21 years in the NBA, he’s coming for the crown, and he’s already taken his place atop the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Add that to his four championships and four MVPs, and it creates a compelling case as the NBA’s new GOAT. If that wasn’t enough, his career averages are undeniably impressive at 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game on 50.6% shooting.
Whether you favor efficiency or longevity will likely determine who you rank as the greatest, but Tatum only sees three worthy contenders right now. Shaquille O’Neal, Bill Russell, and Magic Johnson are all interchangeable, but none can top the “big three” in his mind. Coming from a Celtics star, it carries a lot of weight to name two Lakers among the three all-time greatest, but it just goes to show how impressive their careers really are.
At the end of the day, Tatum’s opinion isn’t going to end the GOAT debate, but it does highlight the level of respect today’s stars have for the legends who came before them. For him, Jordan, LeBron, and Kobe are the standard, and until someone new proves otherwise, they’ll stay locked in at the top of his all-time list.
