The brilliance from LeBron James, which has led an injury-ravaged Los Angeles Lakers team to a 3-1 series lead over the Houston Rockets, has reopened the proverbial can of worms. Due to the competitive nature of the sport, the GOAT debate remains among the most prevalent discussions across the NBA.
As one player continues to lead the charge and add to his legacy at 41, more folks are starting to acknowledge his greatness. The latest to that effect is a former teammate of the player on the other side of that GOAT debate, Michael Jordan.
LeBron James Winning Over Michael Jordan Teammates Too
After more than a decade in the head coaching chair, as he ushered in the next dynasty in the NBA, Steve Kerr seems to be coming close to an end with the Golden State Warriors. After losing in the Play-In game, it looks likely that he will no longer be returning next season.
However, as a nine-time NBA champion in his roles as a player and coach, he became the ultimate winner at every level. From playing with Jordan on the Chicago Bulls to going against James in four straight NBA Finals as a head coach, Kerr brings a unique perspective to the mix.
As a result, during a lengthy interview with “The New Yorker,” the sharpshooting specialist broke down the individual excellence of the two players and what set them apart from one another. First, he began with the 41-year-old, who continues to dominate the league to this day.
“It lies in more of a holistic game where he dominates with his pace, his athleticism, and his passing. I’ve always felt scoring is secondary for LeBron, but he’s the greatest scorer in the history of the NBA.”
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Kerr certainly gave some credit to his “longevity.” He also heaped some hefty praise on the four-time MVP. “Some of that is longevity: he’s a machine. I mean, I think he’s literally the greatest athlete on the face of the planet and in the course of human history.”
The numbers are hard to ignore in support of Kerr’s breakdown. Leading the entirety of the NBA in seasons played, total games, total minutes, and points, the dominance is quite literally unparalleled.
But it hasn’t just been empty calories, as he’s consistently produced winning seasons with every franchise, including 10 trips to the NBA Finals, and the most All-NBA and All-Star selections in NBA history. Still, even with all that praise, the legendary head coach sees a ton of difference between James and the six-time NBA champion.
“LeBron’s brilliance doesn’t lie in the same skill set that Michael’s did. Playing with Michael, I saw the killer instinct, the emotional dominance he had over not only the other team but the officials, the entire arena. I don’t see that with LeBron.”
As a result, he believes the “emotional” side of the game is where the two have a major difference. “Everybody came into a series against Michael knowing they were going to lose. There’s never been anybody like that. Maybe Bill Russell. But I’ve never felt the same way on a basketball floor as I did with Michael.”
At this point in time, the GOAT debate has become a matter of personal preference. Both sides of the argument have a ton of irrefutable notches on the belt. But, as Kerr pointed out, both can be individually brilliant without disparaging the other.
James has one definitive advantage: his career isn’t over. As he continues to perform at an unprecedented level, he is actively adding to his legacy and decisively shifting public opinion in his favor.
