Just as fans argue about who the GOAT of the NBA is, so do the league’s current or former players.
The debate is most often between LeBron James and Michael Jordan, though Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has some backers, too. Prior to the James era, the consensus pretty much was that Jordan was the NBA’s GOAT, but now there is very much a debate.
And this debate is not one that is going away anytime soon unless James pulls a Tom Brady and unequivocally ends the matter by winning another championship or two before retiring.
Either way, it’s a fun argument, with multiple players making a strong case.
Jordan has 39 endorsements from players since we began keeping track, compared to James’ 31 endorsements.
Below, check out all the players who have gone on record as saying Michael Jordan is the NBA’s greatest player of all time – or GOAT.
Magic Johnson
First of all, let’s not take anything away from LeBron James,” Johnson said. “Because LeBron James is a great basketball player, one of the all-time greatest that’s ever played the game. LeBron James to me, when you think about all-around basketball players, he’s probably the best of all time. An all-around basketball player. But when you want to say ‘who’s the greatest ever’ it’s still Michael Jordan.
May 24, 2020
Shaquille O’Neal
I’m going to have to say Michael Jordan because Michael paved the way for all the great guys that we have now. And 6-0 in the Finals without a legitimate big man. Went through a lot. Took a year off. Came back and won three in a row. He’s definitely the greatest player.
May 8, 2020
Charles Barkley
Michael’s [Jordan] one, Oscar Robertson’s two, [Bill] Russell, Wilt [Chamberlain] and Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar], no particular order after Michael.
May 2, 2020
Dwyane Wade
Steve Nash
I think MJ is my guy for sure. When you talk about LeBron and Kobe, I totally understand why people have LeBron where it is, first or second in many people’s eyes. When you look at the whole picture of everything LeBron has done over the course of his career, it’s hard to argue with. I think at his best, Kobe right up with any of them. I don’t know…
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