The debate to decide the Greatest of All Time in the NBA has been raging for more than a few decades now and the two prime contenders to be the favorite to hold the title are LeBron James and Michael Jordan. Ever since LeBron set foot in the NBA he has been hailed as the next Michael Jordan.
However, Bron successfully established his own identity and instead of becoming the next Jordan, he became his biggest competitor for the GOAT debate. Recently, popular sports analyst and spokesperson Stephen A. Smith defended Jordan and claimed that Bron can never be the GOAT.
SAS drops laughter-inducing comment on Lebron James
The ESPN analyst, Stephen A. Smith demonstrated his unwavering support for Michael Jordan and claimed that LeBron James cannot be the GOAT despite him matching MJ in the number of rings. Smith was doing a Q&A session where he responded to the comments and answered questions posted by the community on X.
One comment presented a hypothetical scenario to Smith if LeBron equaled MJ in the number of rings won would he accept Bron as the GOAT? Smith reacted quickly to the comment with a clear, “Hell no and a half.”
Smith’s unwavering support for Jordan brings to light the widespread comparisons of basketball players. And the discussion or debate of who is the GOAT of the NBA will keep going on forever till the day basketball exists.
What teams did LeBron win his championship rings with?
LeBron James has won a total of four NBA championships in his entire career. Unlike Michael Jordan who was more committed to a single team (Chicago Bulls) and has won all of his rings with that same team, LeBron is more of a multi-team player. Bron started his journey with the Cleveland Cavaliers as a boy who had just graduated from high school. Since then, he has established himself as one of the greatest players in the NBA and is the prime contender to rival MJ in the GOAT debate.
LeBron James won his first two rings with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013. His first run with the Cavs was a good one for LeBron individually as he introduced himself to the league as a hot rookie. His move to the Heat is where achievements started to get big for him. LeBron won his third ring in 2016 during his second run with his first team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
His latest championship win was with the Los Angeles Lakers where he lifted the trophy in 2020 tallying his ring count to four. LeBron also holds the record for the highest points scored in the NBA. While MJ had won 6 championships with the Bulls, LeBron has only won four but it doesn’t change the fact that Bron is one of the greatest players to ever grace the basketball court.
What do you think about Stephen A. Smith’s comments on LeBron James becoming the GOAT? Who do you think is the GOAT between MJ and James? We are eager to know your opinion, so drop them down in the comment section.
