The eternal debate over who is the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan or LeBron James, continues to divide fans and experts alike. Now, a survey of current NBA players has shed light on their perspectives on the matter, with Jordan emerging as the slight favorite.
The greatest of all time (GOAT) debate has been a constant topic of discussion among NBA fans, pundits, and players for decades. While some believe that the Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan is the undisputed king, others argue that LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers deserves the title.
To gauge the opinions of current NBA players on this matter, The Athletic conducted a poll among 142 players, asking them to choose between Jordan and James as the GOAT. The results were close, with Jordan edging out James by a narrow margin of 45.9% to 42.1%.
HoopsHype also conducted a similar poll, which yielded similar results. Jordan received 49% of the votes, while James garnered 37%. Interestingly, some players who voted for James in the past have now switched their allegiance to Jordan.
Devonte' Graham, who played under Jordan's ownership of the Charlotte Hornets, admitted to switching his vote from Jordan to James while playing for the Hornets. However, after being traded away, he reverted back to believing Jordan is the GOAT.
"I played for the GOAT, Michael Jordan," said Graham, who now plays for the San Antonio Spurs. "He paid me. When I played there, he was definitely the GOAT. Once I got traded, it became LeBron."
Jordan, a six-time NBA champion with the Bulls, won his championships in two three-peats, punctuated by two abrupt retirements. James, on the other hand, has four championships to his name (and counting) and has been in the national spotlight since his high school days.
Despite being in what appears to be the twilight of his NBA career, James remains undecided about his future with the Lakers after their disappointing playoff exit. His decision will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the GOAT debate.
While The Athletic and HoopsHype's polls provide valuable insights into the opinions of current NBA players, it is ultimately up to each individual fan to decide who they believe is the greatest basketball player of all time. The debate is likely to continue for many years to come, but the latest survey suggests that Jordan remains the slight favorite among his peers.
