Getty Image / Ronald Martinez
It’s arguably the best sports debate ever: who is better, Michael Jordan or LeBron James? Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, a legend in his own right, has let all of us know what he thinks about the debate.
And, he’s taken the side of his contemporary, LeBron James. Here’s more, according to The Athletic.
“Some guys might say he is No. 2, but other guys like me, I say he is No. 1, and he’s still going,” said Giannis Antetokounmpo, putting it plainly that he believes James is the best NBA player ever, ahead of Michael Jordan.
And, his new teammate, Damian Lillard, agrees.
“I think people will look back at that body of work over 20 years or however long it’s been, and when it’s over with, I think they’ll have more respect (for James),” said Damian Lillard, Giannis’ star teammate on the Milwaukee Bucks. “For the guys who are in it like I am, and the rest of us who do this job, got to put our bodies through it and got to deal with the pressure and have to perform and all of these things to go along with our personal lives, I think people like us respect it.
These takes are going to fire some people up, that’s for sure. There’s no better argument to get into someone sitting at a bar than LeBron vs. MJ. Nobody has a casual opinion on it, either. Nobody says “well, I think they are equal.” It’s a strong opinion one way or the other, and it’s often a generational gap. Those who grew up with Michael Jordan being the best player in the league tend to say MJ, and vice versa for LeBron.
As we get closer to the end of LeBron James’ fantastic career, the forward, who is entering his 21st season, only has a few more chances to add to his resumé to help him in the GOAT argument. James is a four-time NBA Champion, four-time Finals MVP, four-time MVP, and NBA all-time leading scorer could really use a fifth championship to compete with the six-time NBA Champion, six-time Finals MVP, and five-time MVP Michael Jordan.
Also, in case you’re wondering. I’m team Michael. That’s not an anti-LeBron take, either. He’s clearly number two. He’s simply not Michael Jordan.