The NBA’s tectonic plates are shifting below all of us at this very moment. The GOAT debate is shifting. For so long, it has been Michael Jordan vs Lebron James, and most people gave Jordan a distinct edge. A recent survey of current NBA players found 58% think Jordan is the greatest. There’s 33% who say it’s James. But I wonder what everyone will say in a few weeks.
Those of us who are old enough to have lived through Jordan’s two threepeats, one of the most incredible feats in sports history, are clear that it’s Jordan, but things are changing. Just the other day I got a text from a peer: “Bro, I’m starting to think maybe Bron is better than Jordan.” I texted him back a GIF saying, “You’re insane,” but he’s not. This season is James’ 20th. He’s 38, and, amazingly, he’s still one of the league’s very best. Most importantly, he’s in contention for yet another ring. He’s a surreal player. I’m Team Jordan all day, but if James wins a ring this year, he’ll move very, very close to Jordan status, by which I mean, he will be very, very close to being the GOAT.
It’s partly about James’ numbers. He’s got the record for points scored. That’s a record that may never be broken. He’s also got the record for most points scored in the playoffs. And right now he’s got four rings. But it’s also about the length of time that he’s been one of the league’s elite players. He was one of the best as a rookie, and he’s still one of the best as a veteran. It’s unbelievable to see someone be so great for so long. And there’s no doubt that, with his strength and his basketball IQ, he could have thrived in Jordan’s era when the game was much more physical.
That said, I watched Jordan dominate the NBA for years, and I think his best seasons were better than James’ best. Even though he didn’t dominate for as long as James, Jordan’s zenith was higher than the kid…
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