The NBA GOAT debate will continue forever, but many people have their opinions on who they think is the greatest of all time. The list of candidates is usually Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul Jabaar, Wilt Chamberlain, and even Bill Russell. Other people may have different opinions, but those are the main people. While there are several candidates, the debate between Michael Jordan and Lebron James is the most common. Even though there is no defined answer, this still remains one of the most argued topics.
The main case for Lebron is that he has played at an MVP level for his entire career and he is 37 years old. Lebron has 4 championships and he won Finals MVP in all of them. People who think that Lebron is the GOAT believe that his championship in 2016 was more valuable than anything Jordan won. This championship was played against the Golden State Warriors who broke the record for the best regular season record, and they went 73-9. The Warriors were also up 3-1 in a 7 game series, and it was the first time that a team has ever come back from a deficit that big in the NBA Finals. Moving on, Lebron has won 4 MVPs, is an 18x All Star, and 13x NBA All First Team. Lebron supporters also use the fact that Lebron skipped college and went straight to the NBA, and got selected first in the draft, as an argument. They believe that Lebron was the better talent, and that he has had more pressure on him throughout his career.
The main case for Jordan is that he went 6-0 in the NBA Finals, and won Finals MVP in all of those. MJ is a 5x MVP, 14x NBA All Star, and 10x NBA First Team. Many arguers say that Jordan played in an era that had tough, physical defense. MJ had to go through the Pistons and a lot of people think that the Pistons were so tough that Lebron would be physically outmatched. They believe that there is no defense played today, therefore Lebron is overrated. Also, MJ was a seen as a great defensive player and he even won a DPOY. Most Mj supporters think that he was the more clutch player because he had a couple iconic buzzer beaters in the playoffs. Lastly, they think that MJ would dominate in today’s era of “no defense”.
Personally, I believe that Lebron is the better player, and the GOAT. I think that his 2 championships, the one in the bubble and the 3-1 deficit, are much better than Jordan’s six. I believe this because I think that the players were way worse back then. The players then weren’t nearly as skilled as now, meaning Lebron played much better competition, and has dominated it for so long. Jordan also needed Scottie Pippen to win his championships, while Lebron had much less help. Lebron also is a more all around player because he is a better rebounder, passer, and almost as good at scoring as MJ. Additionally I think that Lebron is a better defensive player, and that MJ’s defense is overrated. Lebron is the much more versatile defender, which is probably the most valuable asset as a defender, at least nowadays. Lastly, Lebron would dominate in Jordan’s era, while Jordan wouldn’t be nearly as dominant in Lebron’s era. The argument that Lebron would get pushed around because he is weak is just wrong. Lebron is much bigger than MJ, so that doesn’t make sense to me. Overall, the GOAT debate will never be solved, but many people still like to argue it. I think that it’s a fun discussion that gets taken too far because there will never be an answer.
Lebron's Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b117a8_jALE
Jordan's Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAr6oAKieHk
https://howtheyplay.com/team-sports/Michael-Jordan-Versus-LeBron-James
Who do you think the GOAT of the NBA is?
Why do you think that he is the GOAT?
Do you think that other players besides MJ and Lebron should be discussed?
Replies
He is clearly better than LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo and Michel Jordan and Magic Johnson and Steph Curry and Lary Bird and Kevin Durrant and James Harden and Shaq and Kobe (RIP) and Chris Paul and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Carmelo Anthony and Paul Arizin and Charles Barkley and Rick Barry and Elgin Baylor and Carol Blazejowski and Manute Bol and Bill Bradley and Larry Brown and Wilt Chamberlain and Cynthia Cooper and Bob Cousy and David Albert DeBusschere and Anne Donovan and Tim Duncan and Kevin Durant and Margo Dydek and Teresa Edwards and Wayne Embry and Julius Erving and Walt Frazier and Kevin Garnett and George Gervin and John Havlicek and Connie Hawkins and Elvin Hayes and John Isaacs and Allen Iverson and Phil Jackson and Dennis Wayne Johnson and Marion Jones and Jason Kidd and Joe Lapchick and Nancy Lieberman and Jeremy Lin and Earl Lloyd and Rebecca Lobo and Jerry Lucas and Hank Luisetti and Moses Malone and Pete Maravich and Dick McGuire and George Mikan and Cheryl Miller and Earl Monroe and Alonzo Mourning and Steve Nash and Don Nelson and Dirk Nowitzki and Hakeem Olajuwon and Gary Payton and Bob Pettit and Andrew Phillip and Scottie Pippen and Willis Reed and Pat Riley and Doc Rivers and Oscar Robertson and David Robinson and Dennis Rodman and Bill Russell and Dolph Schayes and Bill Sharman and Jerry Sloan and Helen Stephens and John Stockton and Sheryl Swoopes and Isiah Thomas and Nate Thurmond and Wayman Lawrence Tisdale and Jack Twyman and Dwyane Wade and Bill Walton and Jerry West and Lenny Wilkens and Yao Ming and George Harry Yardley and Babe Didrikson Zaharias
Akumpo because he is at least 13 feet 14 inches tall.
Nah, he is at least 13 feet and 15 inches tall.
I believe that Lavar ball is the Greatest Of All Time, he beat Micheal Jordon in a 1v1 last year. His kids are also better than every person in the league, including LeBron James, and Steph curry, Gainais antetukumpeo.
I know you're joking, but I think that you can't determine the GOAT based off a 1v1 scenario.
LeBron James is THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME because he is my daddy.
He is also the greatest because his nuts were resting in Josh Harts face.
I agree that Lebron is the GOAT, but I don't think this because of one play. However, that was a nice dunk.
It is obviously lamelo ball I think this was innapriote but other then that i think lamelo is actually the best player of all time he will snatch anyones ankles including a grandmas, his soul is cold he has the killer heart hes searching for blood in the league so he's clearly the goat.
I like Lamelo as a player, and I think he is good and has great potential, but he is far too young to be even mentioned in the conversation.