Michael Jordan Perfectly Drops The Mic When Discussing The GOAT Debate Versus LeBron James

Michael Jordan drops the mic on the GOAT debate with LeBron James

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When it comes to the GOAT debate in the NBA, it pretty much always comes down to two guys: Michael Jordan and LeBron James. That’s not to diminish any of the accomplishments that other all-time greats have accomplished, but, for all intents and purposes, these two are the ones who typically find themselves going head-to-head for ultimate supremacy.

Regardless of what side of the fence you’re on, there’s no denying that both MJ and LeBron are head and shoulders above the rest. From their success on the floor to their popularity off of it, these two stars shine brighter than any of the others in the basketball universe. And while Jordan has more rings (6) than James (4), LeBron has more appearances in the NBA Finals (10 to 6), so one has to wonder the simple question: Is an undefeated record more impressive than navigating the journey to get to the championship round?

Since the GOAT debate (seemingly) never ends — despite people like you and me keeping it alive and well — NBA fans may never have a sure answer as to which player, Michael Jordan or LeBron James, truly deserves GOAT status. But in a recent interview with Cigar Aficionado, Jordan at least tries to quash the notion that any one player can be named the greatest of all-time, and pretty much drops the mic when discussing the subjective title.

Want to know why Michael Jordan is the best? Right here, man. Because the dude just gets it, and knows that the whole GOAT debate is an evolving argument that will never have a validated champion. It’s not the way most fans want to think of it — because we’re stubborn and crave an answer to a hotly contested debate — but, fact it, things change over time.

With Jordan’s career over, he’s more than staked his claim as the GOAT for all that he achieved in the NBA and how he changed the game off the floor. Here comes James, who, similarly to MJ, has impacted the sport and his society in ways that no other athlete ever has before.

Now what happens if James goes on to win three more championships before he retires, giving him seven NBA titles. Does that instantly thrust him ahead of Michael Jordan in the GOAT debate? Does James do it riding the coattails of a younger star like, say, Anthony Davis, so he doesn’t get as much credit? And what becomes of MJ? Is he pushed down the pantheon of all-time greats because he isn’t capable of stepping back on the court to win more?

We’re all creatures of our environment, and if you grew up in the ’90s idolizing Michael Jordan (as I did) during the height of his success, then you’ll probably argue that he’s the GOAT and that it’s not even close. But those who grew up watching LeBron James dominate from 2011 till today (winning his four titles during that timeframe), may suggest otherwise. And with MJ understanding that the argument is between the two right now, it’s only a matter of time until another once-in-a-lifetime kind of player comes along and challenges the status quo. That’s what happens, guys. It’s sports. And these healthy debates between players and generations are part of what makes them so damn fun.

(H/T Barstool)