Who is the GOAT?

What is sports without the “GOAT” debate?

Michael Jordan was regarded as the greatest NBA player of all time for many years. Jordan was the best player on the Chicago Bulls dynasty, that won 6 NBA Championships. During Jordan’s reign he was one of the most feared players in the NBA as his killer mentality was unlike anyone the league had ever seen. Jordan played his last NBA season in 2003.

But in 2002, there was a high school basketball player named LeBron James, who was deemed, “The Chosen One” and was seen as someone who could take the GOAT title from Jordan. James was able to find success in the league from the moment he stepped foot on an NBA court. He has not slowed down since. Although LeBron’s NBA career is not over, there is a compelling argument to be made that LeBron has taken over the GOAT title from Jordan.

As one looks at the numbers for Jordan and LeBron, the popular saying is “ball don’t lie”, but what about the numbers?

We will never get the opportunity to see Michael Jordan and LeBron James battle it out on the court. But the question will always be asked, “Who is the greatest basketball player of all time?”

Some may argue that Jordan is the GOAT because he has 6 NBA Championships compared to LeBron’s 4. These fans value team championships and see winning as the most important criteria for being deemed the GOAT. These fans remember the Jordan years and the nostalgia from those years remains etched in their memories as they remember the dominance of the Jordan-led Chicago Bulls.

Others will argue that LeBron is a better all around player given his well-rounded career stats which demonstrates his dominance in all facets of the game. He is well regarded as not only a great scorer, but also one of the greatest playmakers of all time. Fans may also argue that LeBron’s longevity as a player gives him the GOAT edge over Jordan.

At the end of the day there will never be an agreement amongst fans on whether Jordan or LeBron is the GOAT. The numbers do not provide a clear answer. The debate is great for basketball fans as they passionately speak about the Jordan and LeBron eras. The question, “Who is the GOAT?” will continue to be argued for many years to come.

Resources

StatMuse – http://www.statmuse.com

Land Of Basketball – http://www.landofbasketball.com