The NBA analysis from Stephen A. Smith is always interesting. His extensive knowledge of the game and its top players as well as his high profile inside the league provide him interesting insights. After clearly and politely establishing his position on the age-old Greatest of All Time (GOAT) issue, Smith is an expert negotiator.
His sincere affection and insightful analysis on the greatness of Michael Jordan and LeBron James is clear in his passionate tributes to their legacies.
LeBron’s agent takes issue with Stephen A. Smith’s ranking
During a recent podcast interview with Paul George, Stephen A. Smith discussed a heated exchange he had with Rich Paul, LeBron James’ agent with the Los Angeles Lakers. Discussion centered on where LeBron James would place in NBA annals.
Smith recalled that Paul was offended by Paul’s ranking of James as the second greatest player in NBA history, after Michael Jordan and ahead of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Smith recounted the conversation, saying, “I got him as the second-best player in the history of basketball. I got him ahead of Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar]. I got him behind no one but [Michael] Jordan. … I said, ‘You act like that’s an insult.’ This dude, ‘It is an insult.’ I said, ‘Get the f— out of my face.'”
Opinions have been sharply divided over the years by the rivalry between LeBron James and Michael Jordan, the legendary guard for the Chicago Bulls. James, the NBA’s all-time greatest scorer, will join the Lakers in the 2023-24 season, and he will continue to have opportunities to add to his already impressive list of accomplishments.
James has appeared in the NBA Finals 10 times and won four championships. He has career averages of 27.2 pts, 7.5 rebs, and 7.3 asts.In contrast, Jordan’s unrivaled Finals success is best illustrated by his six NBA titles and six NBA Finals MVP awards in as many tries. Jordan averaged 30.1 pts, 6.2 rebs, and 5.3 asts in his career. He was a 14-time All-Star and won the MVP award five times.
Smith and Paul, two renowned personalities in the NBA community, have opposing perspectives on the matter that highlight the long-lasting effects of both players on the NBA.
Who is the number one player in Stephen A’s all-time ranking?
Stephen A. Smith’s conviction that Michael Jordan is the GOAT hasn’t wavered for a second. Smith made a compelling argument for the superiority of the Chicago Bulls great on one of his broadcasts.
“Let’s talk about the obvious. MJ [Jordan] boasts six titles, while LeBron [James] has secured four. MJ is unbeaten in six finals appearances. Michael Jordan never allowed an NBA Finals series to extend to a seventh game.”
Smith dug deeper into the discrepancies in scoring championships, All-Defensive team picks, and the Defensive Player of the Year award. He also pointed out that, unlike James, Jordan had never been swept in a seven-game series. We’re taking a look at how things are going on both sides of the floor. While Michael Jordan will always be the best, LeBron James is undeniably in second place in my book.
Smith offered a thorough assessment of Jordan’s dominance, noting:”Consider this: Throughout LeBron James’ era, debates emerged about his standing due to the presence of Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and later, Steph Curry. Yet, during Michael Jordan’s era, there was never a debate about the best in the world. Not even before Jordan’s ’91 title. From ’88 onwards, Michael Jordan’s superiority was unequivocal. The same cannot be said for LeBron James.”
His authoritative perspective reveals how well he knows the annals of basketball and the legacy of its greats. But what’s your take on the heated exchange between Smith and Paul? Make sure to let us know in the comments section.
