LeBron James stirred a debate in the NBA community by claiming that he would take himself over Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant in the GOAT debate. Stephen A. Smith has now weighed in on the debate.
Stephen A. Smith Reacts to LeBron James’ GOAT Claims
James, who was named “Athlete of the Century” by TIME, said in an interview with the magazine that he would always back himself over elite players if he had to pick the greatest player of all time.
Smith reacted to James’ comments on ESPN’s “First Take” on Wednesday, and rubbished claims that any of the other players in the GOAT debate would make such a statement.
“Michael Jordan would never tell you he’s the GOAT. I know Michael Jordan. I speak to him often. I’m telling you, he has never ever called himself the greatest. It has never happened.”
“Kobe Bryant didn’t call himself the greatest. Kareem didn’t call himself the greatest. Magic didn’t call himself the greatest. They might have thought it. But they never articulated it to a reporter for print purposes to be disseminated to the masses,” Smith said.
The ESPN analyst also questioned why James would make such a statement and called him out for being “calculated.” However, Smith did acknowledge that the Los Angeles Lakers superstar is, without a doubt, one of the greatest players in basketball history.
Smith has stated on several occasions that he considers Jordan the greatest of all time, with James in second place.
“[LeBron James] is addicted to trying to control the narrative… Everything he does is calculated. He plots and he plans, hoping to have a specific impact. I know what he does. I’m not even knocking it.”
“Because he is on the Mount Rushmore of basketball. He’s one of the greatest basketball players to have ever lived. I have said that repeatedly. I have him number two all time,” he added.
Despite being 41, James remains an elite player in the NBA. He averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game for the Lakers this season, helping them secure the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference standings. The Lakers were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs.
As he weighs his plans on whether to return to the NBA for a 24th season, James undoubtedly has a strong claim to be called the greatest basketball player of all time.
