When talking about the GOAT (greatest player of all time), LeBron James and Michael Jordan are the usual names that often come up. While younger followers contend that James has a stronger case, older supporters believe Jordan is the greatest of all time. Stephen A. Smith of ESPN is among those who hail the former Chicago Bulls player as the greatest of all time.
James and Jordan are the two most-talked-about players when it comes to being named the GOAT. Both superstars have won multiple titles, changed the game and made a lasting legacy. However, not everyone can agree which player is better between the two.
Smith, who appeared as a guest on “Ball in the Family” podcast, commented that James is “stat-padding” to chase Jordan.
“I’m doubling down on that,” said Smith. “Who the hell doesn’t know that? You’re in your 23rd year and you’re accumulating all of these stats, but you ain’t winning another MVP and you ain’t winning another Finals. So, you’re there because you’re going to accumulate these numbers.
“We don’t look at the Lakers and see a championship team. You ain’t beating Oklahoma City. You ain’t beating Denver. Just understand: it doesn’t buy you GOAT status. You’re not getting that. Michael Jordan is my GOAT, without question. I’ve been saying that since the man retired and there ain’t a damn person who can change my mind.”
Smith stood his ground about Michael Jordan being a better GOAT option than LeBron James. He brought up what happened with James during the 2011 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks.
“It was the fourth quarter of four consecutive games in the NBA Finals. The greatest player in the world went four games scoring four points or less in the fourth quarter with JJ Barea and Jason Terry guarding him. There is no discussion here. Everybody has bad games, everybody has bad series. But when you’re warped mentally, now you have to take into consideration the kind of advantage you’re giving the opposition if they were against you.”
Smith claims that LeBron James could affect the MVP race
Smith claimed that the biggest story in the NBA is that the Lakers are winning without LeBron James. This has led to Luka Doncic being heavily considered for the MVP early in the year. However, the longtime ESPN analyst said that if James makes his season debut and negatively affects the team, this could change the narrative around Doncic’s MVP case.
“If it compromises Austin Reaves in any way, how does that affect the Lakers?” Smith said. “If it affects the Lakers in a negative way, it could affect Luka’s MVP challenge.”
Smith went on to say that the MVP could end up with San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
