Michael Jordan has never publicly bashed LeBron James. In fact, the Chicago Bulls legend praised the Los Angeles Lakers star in 2020.
Jordan said James is “an unbelievable player” and loves watching him play. The two NBA legends embraced during the 2022 All-Star Game and James told Pat McAfee in March he hopes to have a relationship with Jordan once he retires from the NBA.
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Jordan and LeBron are two of the greatest players in NBA history. However, one of Jordan’s former Bulls teammates doesn’t think James is better than Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or Wilt Chamberlain.
Stacey King, who won three championships with Jordan in the ’90s, said James will never be the GOAT and will not “bypass” Bryant, Abdul-Jabbar or Chamberlain.
“What you are doing in 20 years, MJ did in 13,” King said. “Let’s stop right there. You are not the GOAT. You are not going to bypass Kobe. You are not going to bypass Kareem and Wilt Chamberlain. The GOAT conversation is over.
“LeBron James will go down as one of the best players who ever played, but let’s stop the GOAT debate. He’s a great player. He’ll be on Mount Rushmore of the greatest NBA players and there’s nothing wrong with that.”
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James is the leading scorer in NBA history. He passed Abdul-Jabbar in 2023.
The 40-year-old James is a four-time MVP, a four-time champion and a four-time Finals MVP. He’s the only player in NBA history to rank top five all-time in points and assists.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James© Soobum Im-Imagn Images
However, James is 4-6 in the NBA Finals with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Lakers. He’s also been swept in the Finals twice.
Meanwhile, Jordan went 6-0 in the NBA Finals, Bryant went 5-2 and Abdul-Jabbar went 6-4.
Chamberlain, who scored 100 points in a game back in 1962, went 2-4 in the NBA Finals during his storied career.
Jordan won five MVPs, six Finals MVPs, one Defensive Player of the Year Award and 10 scoring titles with the Bulls. He’s first in NBA history in points per game in the regular season and postseason, second in player efficiency rating and fifth in points.
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Bryant, who tragically passed away in 2020, won one MVP and two Finals MVPs with the Lakers. He’s fourth in NBA history in points.
Abdul-Jabbar won six MVPs and two Finals MVPs during his stellar career. He’s second in NBA history behind James in points.
Chamberlain, who died in 1999, won four MVPs and one Finals MVP. He’s seventh in NBA history in points.
While King did say James is one of the best players of all time, he strongly believes that Jordan, Bryant, Abdul-Jabbar and Chamberlain are better than The King.
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