Who is the NBA's GOAT? 🐐 Stephen A., Shannon Sharpe and Tim Legler debate 👀 | First Take

[@superkid12345]

Finally, I've been watching First Take for years waiting for them to ask this question. This is the first time this has been brought up on ESPN I think.

[@KrillData145]

🤣🤣🤣

[@martaviouspaul7117]

“That’s what I’m saying I would’ve never thought I’d ever hear this discussion or topic on espn or any other talk show”

[@Isaiahduplaix88]

LMAO

[@samstraughan9054]

Glad they can finally tackle this topic....

[@meezysquad]

It's about time they addressed the elephant in the room

[@martaviouspaul7117]

Bro I’m so tired of this debate every day 😂😂😂

[@jetcrews97]

It’s no question

[@GODMC87]

You clicked

[@martaviouspaul7117]

@@GODMC87 ok doesn’t mean I not tired of hearing it on every platform goofy so run along

[@BH-85]

​@@martaviouspaul7117you're the goofy. You're tired of heaing about it but you click on it to complain about how tired you are. My bad you are not a goofy, you're a clown.

[@817kory]

@@BH-85facts😂 like why watch if you tired of hearing about it lmaoo

[@hamjones7425]

Trevor Ariza was saying that Kobe is his favourite player but Jordan is the GOAT. What’s so hard to understand about that

[@LazyCrazyGuy]

You know they have to spin or mince words. Wouldn't be ESPN if they didn't do that. Also you could even agree with Trevor's statement which is Kobe was the most skilled player ever but it doesn't make him the GOAT. I know he didn't use the word skilled but sometimes people don't have an expanded vocabulary. But that is how I interpreted his "Kobe is the greatest player to me, even though Michael Jordan is on a level all by himself. Kobe is just my favorite player".

[@tlewaug889]

Facts Kobe is my favorite player but MJ is the goat

[@JayTee2000]

Nah he literally said "kobe is the best player ever" that's different from saying hes your favorite

[@Young-ep8ik]

He also said ant man is the best player. All you need to know

[@jonathansykes4986]

Trevor Ariza is a freaking moron though. Who cares what he thinks.

[@darrengordon-hill]

What a unique topic of discussion. Truly original segment. Very impressed.

[@lit101-gamesandgoodvibes3]

There I give you like and comment... Because clearly no one else gives af 😂

[@tone6835]

I agree! Sick of this topic

[@LarryionMccoy-vs20]

​@@lit101-gamesandgoodvibes3just like the debate lamest debate of the decade 😭

[@nikolastamenkovic7069]

Agree. Never heard these guys discussing this one

[@sbj97]

Everyone is so sick of it but loves to engage in it 😅

[@vintagedaz]

All these nba players been saying Kobe. The disrespect is crazy smh

[@dbutta2496]

Mfs been disrespecting Kobe 🤦‍♂️

[@mr.s845]

we can all agree the top 3 lock, in any particular order are Kareem, Jordan and LeBron

[@jasonrosete490]

@@mr.s845lmao Kareem and Lebron aren’t even top 10 foh

[@dbutta2496]

@@mr.s845 nope

[@TheNegrodamus89]

Just gotta boycott espn and all media publications that continue to spread these lies. They only do it because they know it stirs up conversation and draws clicks and views.

[@CM-nr9my]

Here we go again 😂🤦🏽‍♂️

[@juanthompson8016]

Yet here you are 😅😅

[@martaviouspaul7117]

@@juanthompson8016he was being sarcastic and it’s true stop being that person

[@dunit4472]

Hes right they talk about it all the time i watch this show daily during my breaks and this topic is overused

[@Smartkid2387]

Exactly what I said 😂

[@Centure120]

Exactly 😂😂😂

[@Iamthatdudee]

The Kobe disrespect is CRAZY

[@MangoTroubles-007]

Kobe is not better than Jordan That's why And he's dead, let him rest in peace

[@davidgaskins2589]

​@MangoTroubles-007 what does him being dead gotta do with anything? We all die. So once jordan or Bron passes does it disqualify them? U dumb af

[@jwilliamson-xo8nd]

On God they really sat up there and acted like no player has ever said Kobe was the goat… like gtfoh 😂.

[@Iamthatdudee]

@@MangoTroubles-007 Kobe is a better basketball player than Jordan in my opinion but Jordan is the GOAT cause he has the accolades to match his skill set plus how he looked compared to his competition

[@rithysokha9564]

hes trash! dude kobe misses so much shots in game its not even funny

[@SuperWearethed]

“He’s the best player in the game is just that simple. There nothing that Kobe Bryant can’t do. He will defend your best player, he will shoot from the perimeter, he will get all in your mug. He is the most complete basketball player in the game today, bar none. He has a assassin mentality. ” - STEPHEN A. SMITH There are many RECENT players (who have played against Lebron and Kobe) who are taking Kobe over LeBron. Come on ESPN and First Take its hard to re-write history, when there are videos. Im not saying that Kobe is the G.O.A.T but the notation that NO ONE not even their own on air personality has NEVER made G.O.A.T comparisons or put Kobe over LeBron at some point, is flat out wrong and blasphemous

[@ASevBVB09]

Having Kobe ahead of LeBron is ridiculous. Havin Kobe ahead of Jordan should get one drug tested!

[@SuperWearethed]

@@ASevBVB09 There a bunch of players ( not including players, who retired in 80s or 90s) who have had or still have Kobe over LeBron. And to pretend that’s not true is lying to yourself and pushing a false history revisionist narrative.

[@Mysterion907]

Btw Stephen A said all of that about Kobe when he was still playing in the league. It seems like ever since he died (or even retired) people just love to discredit this mans greatness and come up with lame excuses to say he doesn’t belong in that same class as MJ, Lebron, and Kareem. Yet all the nba all time greats have all said that Kobe is in thag conversation.

[@kaine17th]

Big facts!

[@domo_3532]

​@@ASevBVB09 I have Kobe over LeBron WITH EASE

[@Sf75178]

Jordan was 9 times all defensive first at the same time as scoring champ. That really shows how much of a beast he was on both ends. Also steals champ at the same time as scoring champ. Something that never gets mentioned. Jordan is top 5 in both totals and per game averages in both scoring and steals. Some players maybe both for one stat but not 2. Jordan took it to another level in the finals especially the first 3. 91-- average 11.4 assists per game highest for anyone not Magic. 92 - - average an impressive 42% for 3s and in game 1 shot six 3s in a half which was a record for 18 years until Ray Allen the only person to shoot more in a half 93-- average 41 points per game highest ever.

[@Youknowittho]

Yo throat hurt yet

[@Sf75178]

​@@Youknowitthono actual point just a stupid comment

[@MangoTroubles-007]

Too long, didn't read

[@Sf75178]

@@MangoTroubles-007 um ok

[@mitchrapp5214]

Lebron fans won't like this

[@LeetraviusMcKay-q6m]

It’s funny because before Lebron won his 3rd championship in 2016, Shannon didn’t even bring his name up it was always Kobe vs Jordan

[@mikedevito9338]

Because championships are part of the goat debate😂 at least 3 for me should start that conversation and all the other accomplishments lebrons had and something that’s not really taken into the debate much but the fact he’s been the same player for 21 straight years averaging like 25,7,8 or whatever is incredible, his longevity should have more weight in this goat debate, he’s already my goat but if he somehow gets 1 more ring that should solidify it to everyone else

[@LeetraviusMcKay-q6m]

@@mikedevito9338 he’s doesn’t have a DPOY award which Jordan has plus he’s never 3 peat like Jordan did twice

[@joyjoyce1375]

This debate is meaningless, and very unfair on Lebron James who was born the year Michael Jordan started his NBA. Again Lebron began his NBA journey when Michael Jordan had finished. Michael Jordan played in a different era. That’s why you should find other things to talk about because you can never get an accurate judgement between M &L. Jordan can be a goat to people who witnessed his days. Lebron James is the goat of his own era. Can Jordan withstand the media invasion which has been following Poor Lebron James as a kid to the present day if he is playing in this era? Being a selfish player without considering that you and your teammates are in that business together does not make someone the best no matter how many rings he has. Lebron James is very kind, considerate, he distributes his talent. No matter what Lebron James does Stephen A Smith and Skip will never acknowledge it with sincerity.

[@terellwhite3361]

I got Kobe over Lebron

[@Mt554.]

Lebron 16-6 against kobe

[@YR-cr9db]

KOBE Over Lebron it’s not close the media know that but they keep disrespecting KOBE and His Legacy feel bad For Kobe Wife and Kids knowing they dad is really better but the media keep pushing this narrative disrespecting KOBE

[@Mt554.]

@@YR-cr9db its not close, lol Kobe has 1mvp lebron has 4mvp Kobe has 2fmvps lebron has 4fmvps Pluse kobe and bron both played 20 seasons but lebron the all time leading scorer Youre right its not close

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

​@Mt554. LeBron is NBA all time turnovers leader. LeBron choked lost 6 finals. Kobe won 5 rings and has the most all star mvps in nba history. LeBron the only player ever To get swept twice in the finals. Kobe clearly better than LeBron 💯

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

​@@Mt554.LeBron is NBA all time turnovers leader. Kobe better than LeBron 💯. Kobe is the goat 🐐

[@KrillData145]

Anyone else remember a few years back when Shannon had this question asked on Undisputed and he said Kareem? 🤣🤣

[@theghettoracle]

Kobe is my GOAT, doesn't have to be everyone else's and it really is that simple. Shame on Tim Leger tho, saying he never heard anyone say Kobe is hella crazy, someone should call him out for that one.

[@SojiFro_0]

Yea that was weird.

[@AaronTanyhill]

he must not know anyone from LA 😂

[@MJ-uu3th]

Nah fr lmao. Theres been hella players, coaches, etc that have called Kobe the goat and they said it way before he died before the dummies try and use that argument.

[@theghettoracle]

@@AaronTanyhill I swear, the census on Kobe is astronomical in L.A and for good reason, NOT just championships.

[@theghettoracle]

@@SojiFro_0 Overall a garbage take, not even giving Kobe the benefit of doubt or fighting chance is trash and makes no kind of sense.

[@memphismadekel]

I would say in the early 2000s Kobe got cheated out of at least 2 Mvps

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

2003 and 2006 Kobe is the real mvp

[@GODMC87]

@@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr2003 MVP rightfully went to Tim Duncan. Personal favorite and MVP are two different things

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

@@GODMC87 kobe average 30 ppg he the real 03 mvp

[@DarrylBrickhouse]

I hate the Kobe played with Shaq narrative , because Shaq would only have 1 ring if it wasn’t for Kobe. Lebron teamed up with 2 of the top 7 players in the league at that moment and drastically shifted the competition in the East. Gotta give Kobe more respect for winning 2 more rings without a top 75 teammate. Lebron has always had at least 2 top 30 players each ring he’s won.

[@YR-cr9db]

Thank you The Media Ignore and lie and cover up FACTS just to protect lebron but DISRESPECT KOBE career day after day when they die I hope people talk bad and make up lies about their career and put out false narratives to manipulate the people that don’t really know what happened

[@titancheat]

In a tougher western conference at that. People act like Pau [while great] is jokic or something

[@Mysterion907]

A young Kobe was averaging over 25 a game and was the reason why they even MADE THE FINALS. How is that carrying?

[@4evahodlingdoge226]

Wade got injured in like year 2 ahhaah, Kobe had a healthy Shaq for years + a healthy Bynum and Pau.

[@imwaytwogoated6]

Kobe got Pau for Kwame. Kobe got Gary Payton Karl Malone Steve Nash Dwight Howard lamar Odom Bynum it’s just players wanna go to la not Cleveland plus the Lakers is a winning franchise Lebron got Cleveland it’s only championship it’ll ever has and Miami had one before he got there

[@drewmeyer9679]

I’m a LBJ fan, but I acknowledge MJ as the GOAT. LBJ will be all time in missed shots, TOs, and final losses. MJ was the far better scorer, defender, leader, competitor, and winner.

[@manfromthepast]

Respect 👊🏽...from team Jordan.

[@juliuscaesar6994]

I'm an MJ fan too but no way a Bron fan has that much logical sense to speak.. You gotta remember, LeBron was 38 years old when he did a spinning 360 layup.. the greatest of all time🤣🤣

[@morrellmajarais214]

that spin move looks actually akward.@@juliuscaesar6994

[@KtonV]

MJ quit the most out of any player ever, never got the wizards to the playoffs once, could never reach the finals without Scottie and Phil, punched teammates, had David stern and nba media glazing him nonstop, and won during the expansion era(the weakest era in sports history). The only thing Mj is the greatest at is quitting and drinking.

[@juliuscaesar6994]

@@KtonV okay.. and still more rings than Bron lmfao..

[@alfarouqaminufor3892]

MJ has a better PER, offensive net rating, defensive net rating, box plus minus, win shares per 48min, 2 more championships, 2 more finals MVPS, 1 more regular season MVP, 10x scoring champ, 9x 1st team defense, 1x defensive player of the year. All around better.

[@JaskaranSingh-rq6cr]

And he was loyal 😂

[@m-u-hub]

2 three-peats which the other doesnt even have one *NO GAME 7 IN THE FINALS . . .

[@bbostic]

🏀💯💯💯💯💯💯🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@try_-]

@@m-u-hub mj preferred getting beat in round 1

[@srtghost3842]

Who played against better skilled players?

[@druskimark112]

THE HIGHLY UNDERAPPRECIATED KOBE BRYANT : Lebron James was 0-4 in the Finals without a top 75 teammate, did win a ring with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love after a Draymond Green suspension. Michael Jordan never made the Finals without a top 75 teammate. Larry Bird never made the Finals without a top 75 teammate. Wilt never won the Finals without a top 75 teammate. Shaq never won a Finals without a top 75 teammate. Magic Johnson never made the Finals without a top 75 teammate. Kareem never made the Finals without a top 75 teammate. Oscar Robertson made the Finals without a top 75 teammate. In Kobe's 5 championship runs, 85% of the teams he faced were 50 win teams ! The rest of the guys in ESPN's top 10 meanwhile: Michael: 67% LeBron: 50% Kareem: 43% Magic: 50% Wilt: 50% Bill: 56% Larry: 55% Tim: 65% Oscar: 0% Furthermore Kobe’s beat more 50 win playoff teams in his career (25) than any other player in NBA history. In Summary, Kobe carried his team to 3 straight Finals against the toughest playoff competition in NBA history, winning 2 straight Championships without a top 75 teammate, beating a superteam while injured, and was the closer in the first 3 peat in which he dominated key series in the playoffs vs. the toughest opponents including the Spurs, Blazers, Kings, not to mention taking over on command any time needed ie. vs. Pacers in 2000, game 7 vs. Blazers, in 2000, etc. Kobe’s legacy will be defined by one of a kind skillset, scoring, defense, clutch, which all lead to winning.

[@yct2.0]

Kobe got Shaq, he’s not even to 10 got swept by Dallas in 2011, missed the playoffs on his Prime Lebron finals Loss 2007: Took a Garbage team to the Finals 2011: Got beat by the team that swept the Lakers, Lebron won 2 games. 2014: Lost To The Spurs who owned the NBA that season 2015: Injured Kyrie, Injured Love 2017: KD + Warriors 2018: KD + Warriors

[@fredbenz69]

Also what coach that LBJ had that is on the level MJ, Kobe, Magic had

[@GeneralZod1991]

this GOAT debate must end as soon as possible please..lebron, kobe, jordan, wilt, kareem, magic, bird, they all played in different eras... unlike MESSI AND RONALDO in football they played in the same era, so it's natural and it make sense that their names keep getting compared..but if in the NBA you compare who the GOAT is ? it will be very difficult because they played in different eras..and the rules of the game changed..

[@KtonV]

LeGOAT beat the greatest team ever assembled and did it by coming back from a deficit never achieved before. Sit down and respect the unmatched greatness that is LeGOAT James.

[@GeneralZod1991]

greatest team ever assembled ?? how could that be?? Steph, Klay and Draymond are not the greatest..LEFRAUD was even helped by Kyrie and Kevin Love.. LOL... but after Kyrie left?? LEFLOP can't do anything,.. OWNED by KD 2 times.....Lebron is just lucky that he plays in this era with the massive impact of social media, so people are too overhype about him...🤣🤣@@KtonV

[@TheKillo2311]

There’s no debate. 6-0 in finals vs 4-10. So we giving participation awards now? SMH.

[@Sl4yDj]

Jordan wouldn't have took that cavs team to the finals like LeBron did when he was super young plus Jordan ain't have a team build the most over powered team against him in the 2017 warriors Jordan wouldn't have came back 3-1 in a finals also LeBron brought a championship to every team look at the early 2000 cavs roster and put Jordan there you think there winning 😂😂😂 people don't understand that franchises built super teams to stop this man the warriors knew they had to get kd man LeBron the goat thats my argument I had time

[@shillbill1299]

Like LeBron didn't have super teams...ok 😐

[@TheKillo2311]

@@shillbill1299 lol

[@MJ-uu3th]

@@Sl4yDj It's hilarious how every Bron goat argument includes hypotheticals that literally can't be proven😂

[@Sl4yDj]

@@MJ-uu3th LeBron resume is better imo because the road was WAY TOUGHER THAN WHAT MJ'S ROAD WAS wrap your head around that

[@steplaland]

20 years, less accomplishments. 13 seasons, a lot more accomplishments. The math don’t lie.

[@joeziffbrooks8269]

😂 great point @stepaland, some people struggle with adding and subtracting, and skip right to geometry 🤣 Shannon sharpe, Nick wright.

[@mikesumpter3117]

Kobe disrespect is crazy

[@titancheat]

Truth. Tim Duncan may be even more so. It's wild

[@GODMC87]

They are not necessarily disrespecting Kobe. It’s just LeBron Michael Jordan Kareem. They all just have better resumes. Kobe is so iconic that he gives you the impression that he was the greatest or at least one of the three greatest players you ever seen but his résumé doesn’t match up to them.

[@Mt554.]

Shaq disrespect is even worse, dude carried kobe in the finals

[@titancheat]

@@Mt554. hack a shaq?

[@WORLDWIDESOCAL9]

no he didnt dummy @@Mt554.

[@celtic69]

The obsession with this pointless discussion is genuinely one of the worst things about basketball, everyone has a different criteria and it’ll never be settled. They drub it up every few months purely for content and talking points. As a new NBA fan it’s honestly exhausting.

[@luminousrxk7288]

everyone does not have a different criteria. Most people have the same criteria but bias drives them to be inconsistent with that criteria. For example, most people who think Bron is the GOAT think it is because of longevity. However, if longevity was the way we judge greatness Jordan would not even be top 5. Which no one believes.

[@celtic69]

@@luminousrxk7288 your first 2 sentences completely contradict one another

[@wirelessbrain12]

@@luminousrxk7288 " However, if longevity was the way we judge greatness Jordan would not even be top 5. Which no one believes." What? Jordan is a 14x All star and 11x ALL NBA. That's longetivity. Years played is not longetivity it's how many years you've been great. The amount of people who have 10+ ALL NBA selections is a small list.

[@superemesean5907]

They simply didn’t have anything to talk about and use this argument as a filler piece.

[@exceptionist2]

to be fair the "debate" is already settled....its more of a can we make an argument for Lebron this time question that keeps coming up. Its MJ and it's been MJ for decades. This is really a who is #2 question.

[@OG_Steve]

Regular season MVP are a joke because its based on votes from sports writers. For Shaq & Kobe to only have one is crazy. In 2006 I seen Kobe score 81 points lead the league in scoring at 35 pts a game, and was top 5 in +/- and top 2 in VORP. Made the playoffs 7th seed in the West literally carrying the worst starting five line-up in NBA history of Smush Parker, Chris Mihm, Kwame Brown, and Lamar Odom...Kobe finished 4th in voting for MVP, Steve Nash won just by leading the league in assist but his +/- was ranked 17th meaning the team didn't need him on the floor as much as the Lakers needed Kobe or the Cavs needed LeBron...what hurts Kobe then and continues to this day will always be Colorado.

[@DontWannaBe]

facts

[@agentcodybanx8909]

Fr. I grew up on the 2000s and Steve Nash was great, he wasn't back to back MVPs great though

[@ricoramirez9359]

Faxx. Colorado is the main reason why he only has 1 MVP. The NBA always been "political" with their corrupt former commissioner in Stern.

[@josh_7569]

LeBron got robbed of more MVPs than Kobrick

[@Rickflair28281]

@@josh_7569 Lebron couldn’t even get out the east in 2009 and 10 those phony mvp awards lmfao cavaliers was favored to win the east both of those years one thing for sure he didn’t get robbed of 2 chips and kobrick? Why don’t you look up lebrons shooting outside of 3 feet you’ll see where the name lebrick comes from

[@akosta7089]

Not even close, it's not even a question. They won't let it rest. For me was/is and always be MJ-🐐

[@bbostic]

💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@goatjames328]

Legoat 👑 🐐

[@jaybrick8973]

LeBron is better but ok 😂

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

Kobe is the goat 🐐 💯

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

​@@goatjames328kobe and mj better than LeBron 💯

[@Chessbox09]

MJ is the only player to win MVP/Finals MVP/Championship/scoring title, and be first team all defense in the same season. However he did it 4x! MJ is the GOAT.

[@CowenGittens]

When ESPN run out of ideas, they bring up this debate

[@marcelmarshall4240]

They should be talking about SAS and Molly and the hypocrisy of how they spoke about Von Miller’s ACCUSATION, but did NOT speak on Dana White smacking his wife ON TAPE with any vitriol whatsoever. The hypocrisy. This show is silly.

[@eddietalley534]

To completely throw Kobe out the conversation is insane to me. ESPN will literally disrespect any player not named Jordan or LeBron.

[@reallll2778]

He literally said Jordan is in a class of his own meaning Michael is the GOAT but Kobe is second after Mike and Lebron third a lot of players feel the same.

[@danieldbdb]

He said Kobe is second meaning Shooting guard. You gotta keep your comprehension skills sharpened.

[@TheeInfatuationSimba]

The only reason people started bringing up everyone else's accolades after people said Jordan was the greatest and then Kobe was after is because they wanted to give Lebron the credibility to partake in the debate.. eitherwise nobody cared about that we saw what we saw and it was obvious

[@Ian-James88]

The debate I never knew I needed thanks ESPN 🙏🏼

[@jawuansanchez4077]

Kobe is the imitation of Michael Jordan LeBron wishes he had the Killer Instinct in basketball like Michael none of them will ever compared to Michael Jordan

[@leeronald3645]

Lebron has flopper instincts

[@ronniehodges9720]

Jordan is the goat hands down!!!!!!

[@Cultofpersonality09129]

Urr moms a 🐐

[@keviny704]

Sheeeeeit. MJ was fortunate enough to land with an organization willing to build around him. He was going to leave but they got right.

[@willowbrown7]

But Kobe and bron had better teammates

[@ricsarmiento661]

Interesting insights from these NBA ANALYSTS. Why not include LARRY BIRD (3x NBA CHAMPION and 3x NBA MVP) in the GOAT conversation? TIM LEGLER and STEPHEN A's comparison between JORDAN and LEBRON is SPOT ON. MICHAEL JORDAN has cemented his status as the NBA'S UNDISPUTED GOAT 🐐

[@julian2nice]

*coughs* lebron *coughs* kareem

[@genesthaiaadya]

​@@julian2nicegive this man a hall's or some mucinex

[@LazyCrazyGuy]

​@@genesthaiaadyaalso send him in for evaluation he might be mentally ill 😵‍💫

[@moresomoze]

My dude. Have your opinion. If you stop talking about it like it's anything but a complete personal opinion this conversation doesn't exist.

[@ricsarmiento661]

@@moresomoze KID, i'd like to share with you "The GOLDEN ETHICAL RULE on OPINION": PEOPLE are entitled to their OPINION. It's their RIGHT to be OPINIONATED, for them they are RIGHT. If you happen to DISAGREE with their OPINION, you should RESPECT IT and NOT DEMAND an EXPLANATION from THEM (which isn't right, it's RUDE and UNETHICAL). There is NO ROOM for ARGUMENT. PEOPLE who know and practice this were PROPERLY SCHOOLED on ETHICS. An EDUCATED PERSON knows this and applies it in their ENTIRE LIFE with DIFFERENT PEOPLE coming from ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

[@surojeetculture]

Shannon's criteria is stupid. 3 MVPs and 2 FMVPs... Kobe would have had atleast 3 MVPs if voters weren't biased. And Lebron would have atleast 6 FMVPs if they weren't only given to the winning team.

[@andreic8786]

lebron got robbed of DPOY when they gave it to marc gasol too

[@billyyank5807]

Lots of ifs in there.......

[@drewh9484]

The disrespect to Bean kills me! I remember ESPN analyst literally questioning if Kobe was a better basketball player than mike specifically from ‘07-‘11

[@multiguy11]

Kobe should’ve easily had 2 more MVPs especially during his run from 2003-2010. The off court issues are why the media couldn’t position him like Lebron or Jordan. But if we talking ability, winning and impact, Kobe def deserves GOAT recognition. Could do anything Jordan or Bron could do and sometimes better

[@sunsuddy9310]

Problem with Kobe is that people hated him which was his fault mainly. He just rubbed people the wrong way.

[@LeetraviusMcKay-q6m]

@@sunsuddy9310Aside from the cheating scandal what did Kobe do wrong?

[@sunsuddy9310]

@@LeetraviusMcKay-q6m I'm not talking about the scandal or anything serious. He was just known as a mean person. Very polarizing actually. The cheating scandal wasn't the factor.

[@LeetraviusMcKay-q6m]

@@sunsuddy9310They didn’t like Kobe, but were wearing his shoes 😂😂😂

[@HR-ms6ed]

This is cap the nba line actually won should have went to Chris paul. What years was Kobe suppose to win the mvp over who ?🤔

[@anonymouslakernerd7214]

Ooh! A GOAT debate? Keep the fresh ideas coming, ESPN!

[@wirelessbrain12]

Oh you clicked it again? Keep on boosting the ESPN stat that the goat debate triggers views.

[@thaferg525]

Shannon if it Ain't about RINGS then WHY the Heck are they even Playing!!????

[@vintagemonte]

Bill Russell

[@titancheat]

​@@vintagemonteovert wilt, yes

[@moresomoze]

Rings are a group accomplishment.

[@thaferg525]

@@moresomoze sure they are but every group has that extraordinary player that stands out above and beyond everybody else and Michael Jordan definitely was that guy and without him none of his groups would have won a single ring and we all know that same goes for Bill Russell Kobe Shaq everybody

[@allentrias1433]

MJs game is flawless simple as that thus the TRUE G.O.A.T.

[@DavidBaggaShorts]

The 4-6 record in the finals always does it for me. Lebrons longevity is something to really marvel at, but Jordan has more regular season mvps (5) and he’s got 10 scoring titles, and he’s been DPOY and played 82 games multiple times. MJs mentality just does it for me too. After they got over the hump against Detroit, He won a 3 peat, went to play baseball then came back 18 months after to win another 3 peat. If it wasn’t for krouse being such an idiot it could’ve been 4 in a row in 98-99 during the lockout year. nothing wrong with being 1A either but MJ is the Goat to me 🐐

[@yct2.0]

The bulls were great without Jordan , every LEBRON chip was hard. Okay maybe not the first one.

[@yffmoe]

he never beat a team that was 73-9

[@Ghost-rb6cw]

​@@yffmoe facts.

[@Ghost-rb6cw]

​@@yct2.0 all over lebron competition in the finals were tough match ups, don't let the media and the internet trolls fool you and poison y'all minds with that argument.

[@basketballgods23]

​@@yct2.0 they were good but not great. Every MJ chip looked easy because he was so great lol. No game 7s. 6-0. 2 three peats. That is greatness.

[@MaskedAssassin7]

Most Skilled- Kobe Most Talented- Lebron Overall Goat(resume+skills+talent)- Jordan

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

Kobe better than mj and lebron

[@terellwhite3361]

We all know why Kobe doesn’t have more MVPs. Off the court stuff should never have an impact players on court performances. No way Steve Nash should have back to back mvps.

[@gr8ful4chaos]

this is facts

[@YR-cr9db]

This is sooooo True But The Media Refuses to tell the truth instead they ignore it and just lie to the public talking about lebron better than The Great KOBE Never in a million years KOBE Got Cheated out of so many Accolades and the People Know it

[@jonathansykes4986]

Kobe should not even won his 1 MVP that he has. He sucked.

[@Mysterion907]

Nash deserved at least one of those mvps in my opinion but its crazy how Kobe only has 1 MVP when he should def have more and people want to use that as an argument to discredit him.

[@HR-ms6ed]

@@Mysterion907 who would Kobe have won mvp over 🤦🏾‍♂️🤔

[@jetcrews97]

MJ the 🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐6-0 In the finals 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

[@quelaagging8532]

Havlicek is 8-0. Hes the goat right?

[@KirosaiDCUO]

@@quelaagging8532how many finals MVPs does he have?

[@taylorcullimore]

⁠@@KirosaiDCUO Right? It’s so funny to me when they say stuff like that. We’re comparing Jordan and LeCramp. Everyone knows Havlicek isn’t GOAT 😂.

[@jetcrews97]

@@taylorcullimoreexactly

[@usmcmikeco0651]

Duncan should be in the GOAT debate. 5x Champ 2x MVP 3x FMVP 15x ALL NBA 15x ALL Defense Didnt say he was the GOAT but DEFINITELY should be in the convo

[@Mt554.]

This is the problem with using rings, people actually think duncan should be in the goat debate, shaq and larry bird are better

[@Th3MambaBry4nt]

nahhh other people are ahead of him, but definitely top 10 in my opinion

[@davis2k1234]

He average 19PPG for his career if anything he’s starting to become way overrated because of team success the Spurs won 60+ games and lost in WCF the year after he retired if Zaza didn’t cheap shot Kawhi they probably win it all

[@MidniteSun]

Kobe is the GOD MJ is the GOAT Lebron is the KING That's it, that's the order.

[@jonathansykes4986]

Kobe sucks

[@winten3815]

Kobe is the GOAT Kobe Bryant has the NBA record for most points scored by a G in a decade (21,065) in the 2000 decade. This averages out to a ridiculous 2106 points per season for 10 seasons while being All NBA 1st team defense nearly each of these seasons as well, a feat never done before, and will not be done again. His 28.2 Ppg. are the most for the decade, more importantly they were highly efficient at 1.3 points per FGA, about as efficient as a G can get. He also had the most assists and rebounds for a SG over this time. Kobe’s astounding 21,065 points came exactly in midst of the slowest paced, most defensive oriented decade in NBA history by all defensive metrics and parameters. *** This one separates him from MJ His plus minus of +3470 is the best for any Top 75 G over a decade in NBA history. He was undefeated in the WCF averaging 30-6-6 and beat the most 50 win teams in NBA history, all on his route to winning the most rings in the decade. He also had the most playoff points in the decade, as well as the most playoff wins (98), compared to Duncan with 82 for context. *** How did MJ do vs. Bird or Isiah in the playoffs ? Key point : What makes all this nearly inconcievable is Kobe played nearly 4 years of this decade with players like Chris Mihm, Smush Brown, Luke Walton, and Kwame Brown in the STARTING LINEUP and still had the astounding +/- and most playoff wins etc. *** Separates Kobe from MJ Soon as his team got 1 marginal allstar player in Pau Gasol, (an 18 ppg. scorer, below average defender, previously 0-12 in the playoffs), they go to 3 straight Finals through that 10 team deep Western Conference gauntlet inspite of all the attrition, as Kobe becomes the only player in NBA history to have 600+ points, 100+ assists, 100+ rebounds in 3 straight post seasons as well as the only player ever to win back to back Finals MVP’s without a top 75 teammate. *** Separates Kobe from MJ Kobe also won without Shaq, something the great MJ was not able to do without Pippen. The numbers are broad in the regular season and playoffs. *** Key separator between Kobe and Jordan

[@VusimuziManzi0354]

To most people, you can't be the goat with just one regular season mvp and Jordan outclassed Kobe in every metric: scoring+defense That's why Kobe build his entire game around MJ

[@kobebryant76t92]

They will never give credit to Kobe. It is intentional. A dumb media narrative.

[@DeeMeechie]

Kobe is def in the discussion 💯

[@TopDrifter203]

Kobe The greatest. (My Opinion)

[@auntiez4917]

Kobe is the most overrated athlete in the history of athletics. Kobe shot 40% on 2 pointers in the Finals. Kobe is only mentioned at all because he played for the Lakers.

[@Nephromancer3]

The only time Kobe got into the finals and i felt he might not win was the first bout with the celtics when Ariza and Bynum were injured. they're both healthy, the lakers would've taken that chip as well. If Kobe had a team with just one other willing Allstar, not superstar, not multiple allstar, i would bet on him even going against Durant, steph and the Warriors. When he was on the court and had some help from role players, you just felt he would find a way to win. IDGAF what anyone thinks, IDGAF about the stats, i remember what i was watching.

[@MoonIronTR]

Kobe made 7th seed with prime dwight+pau+steve nash+metta world peace

[@Terrynsons]

Your smoking crack that was not prime Dwight or prime Ron

[@gmailgmail6234]

He lost 2004 finals with shaq how old are you

[@TheNegrodamus89]

@@MoonIronTRand how many games did they all play together collectively

[@rojeliocastro9733]

You'd take him over the KD Warriors?

[@Londonguy1987_]

There’s something about MJ that just feels different to any other nba player. He has an aura that nobody else has. And like Stephen A said, he came INTO the league with the mentality of a goat. Lebron has never "felt" like MJ. He's right next to him. Absolutely. But he's not MJ. That dude is 1/1.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

And that's a good thing. LBJ is LBJ and MJ is MJ. They played a lot differently and interacted wit their teammates differently. Most players probably would like better to play with LBJ, IMO. Look, MJ was tops. But so is LBJ in different ways.

[@thewintersoldier383]

21 years, cried for the best teams money can buy, and 3 rings.

[@drew957]

Kobe the only player in league history gets penalized for being on a team with another superstar whether it’s the media hating on him in mvp voting for years or when it comes to debate shows it’s funny when you think about how much the goal post is moved with him…

[@sakshamdwivedi4273]

man the difference is he played with a top 10 player of all time while himself obviously being top 10 so makes it unfair

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

​@@sakshamdwivedi4273magic and kareem both top ten all time played with each others and shaq isn't top 10 all time

[@titancheat]

Bron fans always bring up [voted] mvps cause they cant win the rings [won] argument anymore. Not 5, not 6, not 7 lmao

[@cky7765]

Yup! Lmao regurgitating the same old sht

[@fuarkk3611]

LeMickey fans are too young and dumb and have never even watched a full MJ game or series

[@saanyofficial6154]

If it’s an argument based on rings…Jordan doesn’t even win that debate. The real argument is individual accomplishments & accolades. Both Bron & MJ have arguments in terms of that.

[@titancheat]

​@saanyofficial6154 that would be true if it was an individual sport like tennis. It's always about championship. Was Bron talking about mvps when he said 5, 6, 7?

[@luminousrxk7288]

jordan has more finals mvps, mvps, scoring titles, DPOYs, all defensive teamsn and steals titles while playing 7 fewer healthy seasons.@@saanyofficial6154

[@jonrussell739]

GOAT is a two-person race with MJ beating Lebron. Most dominant is a two-person race with Shaq beating Wilt. Greatest shooter is no debate. Steph is in a league of his own. That efficiency and volume while winning? No debate.

[@GS-mh6ub]

1. Jordan 2. Kobe 3. Lebron That's my order however, Kobe is my favorite player ever.

[@dton6708]

Kobe has to get more credit, because I remember when folks was saying he wouldn’t win another ring after Shaq left, and he went on to win 2 more rings without Shaq!

[@dannyboi068012]

It's not the rings... its the loses ...LBJ fans really don't get it 😂😂😂

[@KtonV]

“Us jorbozos would rather our guy lose in the rounds before the finals rather than him reach the finals because we’re r3tarded.”

[@chickhearn4ever779]

@@KtonV Nah, if that was the Case, lebron would make the playoffs every year instead of missing the playoffs for 20 percent of his entire career. He was swept 3 times in 4 game series and gentleman swept another 3 times. Thats 3-24 , and 20 percent never making the playoffs. Add to that, the embarrassment of a double bronze

[@fuckallthat6090]

​@@KtonV You seriously comparing the teams Jordan had to face in the East playoffs to the ones Lebron faced? Ironic you call someone "r3tarded," look in the mirror

[@CordellWallers]

Who did he lose against again? Can you name the teams he lost too and the teams Jordan beat…and can we compare them? Jordan literally beat Charles Barkley and nobody else🤣 I guess a 40 year old Stockton and Malone combo but seriously this convo needs more context

[@CordellWallers]

But I get it bro you Jordashians really don’t like context when it comes down to it…it’s just caveman talk “6-0” even though he played trash teams

[@djdoncruse1952]

I have Kobe over LeBron! MJ is the G.O.A.T

[@bbostic]

💯💯💯

[@lordextravagant420]

Yup. Jordan is 1. Kobe is 2. LeBron is 3 💯

[@jerryfrenchy4152]

The Kobe disrespect crazy asf

[@tharcisseofficial]

They're gonna drop at least 5 more GOAT debate videos before the season ends.

[@SquallRanger]

Michael Jordan is the GOAT 🐐 🙌 👌

[@lukepaschall3592]

To disregard Kobe's first 3 championships because he played with Shaq is ridiculous. MJ had Pippen for every championship and always had the most dominant team. Kobe almost 3 peated with his second best player being Pau. The thing a lot of people don't even consider when talking Goats is the defensive side of the ball. Kobe was twice the defender that Lebron was. To act like Kobe shouldn't be in the Goat debate is pure ignorance from people who solely look at accolades.

[@MyronZhao]

Casual fans assume a great "all around" player is a player that guys points/rebounds/assists. Not exactly, when defense is 50% of the game. Only Kobe and MJ have both the offensive and defensive achievements. I forget what it was, something like scoring champs and 9x all defensive 1st teams (tied for 1st all time).

[@tonyboots2958]

I loved Kobe as a player and he was easily one of my favorite players all time. But unfortunately for him, the reason why he quickly gets brushed off as the GOAT is pretty much by default for the reason that he was so similar to MJ in so many ways and when you compare them 2, MJ wins that debate so he kind of automatically gets eliminated because MJ was a better version of Kobe. Not saying MJ was better in every way but when you look at everything combined overall, MJ has him. So that’s why a lot of people quickly disqualify him from the GOAT standard.

[@NairVetGaming]

They do that because Kobe was the number 2 player for three of those rings. That would be like Jordan being the number two guy and Scotty being the number one guy but then still calling Jordan the goat.

[@brucew3050]

Shaq was mvp player not pippen, Shaq required double teams, pippen didn’t. It’s not ridiculous…

[@joeasuncion2891]

If we're talking peak for peak, I'm taking LeBron defensively over Kobe all day (slightly depends on team composition though). Miami LeBron was a jack of all trades on defense that only really had a problem with the fastest/best guards like Tony Parker and D Rose. Calling out the opponents plays, being a leader on defense, being able to play defense on the perimeter and in the paint is unmatched. There aren't many defenders like Miami LeBron, and the only one I can really think of as someone being an all around great defender is Dray.

[@LilMarv]

I like to judge by who dominated their era , and you can’t ignore Jordan ….. you wanna talk about #1 in scoring ? Well Jordan had 10 scoring titles and more 35 + point games

[@Th3MambaBry4nt]

ofc he would have more, his main job was to score and not facilitate and got other guys involved. Another fact is MJ is 2nd all in most shots attempts per game in his whole career. He took 23 shots per game for his whole career.

[@jinkybaby1005]

Ion know why they hate to tell the truth. Kobe is the greatest of all time

[@dannyhantx]

How can Kobe even be in the GOAT conversation when he's not even the best at his own position?

[@BoskoShabazz]

Tim Duncan honestly needs to be mentioned more.

[@LazyCrazyGuy]

If Kobe doesn't belong in the GOAT debate (and I'm a huge Kobe fan) there's no way Tim Duncan is going over Kobe in the GOAT debate. I also have mad respect and love for Timmy but naw bro. MJ is the undisputed GOAT 🐐 and nothing will change that. His resume is to clinical and he took the NBA to new peaks and created a global brand. His shoes are the most sought after even 25 years after his Bulls retirement.

[@BoskoShabazz]

@@LazyCrazyGuy I personally have Tim one spot above Kobe but there’s an argument for Kobe over Tim. All personal preference but I prefer Tim

[@Chillez69]

I agree! Duncan deserves more respect

[@yourHoliness]

You do not automatically disqualify Kobe for being to close to Jordan who everyone calls the goat? So Kobe being to close to the goat would make him in the conversation because he is the closest thing to Jordan. LeBron can't be in the question because of his FINALS record 22-33 that is TERRIBLE. Kobe record is 23-14 and Jordan is 24-11. Disqualified LeBron. To be the goat you have to have at least a 3 peat because that means you were without a doubt the best payer at that time that you dominant 3 years in a row. For LeBron to be in the convo he needs that 3 peat that he never got so how is that the greatest to ever play. 3 peats are rare and that makes you a goat. And LeBron has had the team's to do it. No reason the heat shouldn't have gotten it done LeBron I his prime on a team we have never seen before until the KD warriors which would have 3 peated if KD stayed another year

[@yourHoliness]

Lastly. Kobe played in 37 finals, games. LeBron played in 55 finals games in a best of 7. That's almost 20 more gamess. kobe has more wins than LeBron and more rings than LeBron in way less attempts. Lebron hasnt even won more times in the finals series with way more chances too. Kobe almost got two 3 peats, which the Boston team split with Kobe or he would have got a 3peat without Shaq let's be honest. It's Jordan Kobe LeBron because LeBron came up short and the media won't ever tell you that

[@yourHoliness]

You can make to many arguments for Kobe he did it without superstars. Everyone always wants to say Shaq, who only played in about 50 games a season. Missing about 30 games a year Kobe had to keep the team alive. Shaq fouls out in the 4th even in playoffs vs pacers. Kobe has had to carry that team a good amount and he still won 2 in a row without Shaq and went to 3 in a row without Shaq... I didn't see Shaq do that without Kobe if he is the only reason they won. Talking about he had Shaq. You could also argue that Kobe did more with less because he is that great aka the goat. He famously chased away stars and did not want them to join him. Ran Shaq put the building ran Howard out the building, didn't call major stars to come there. If that is not the definition of a goat then I don't understand the criteria because he also passed Jordan in points. Has the highest scoring game in recorded history because wilts was not on tape. Had the streak of 50 point games and 40 point games and played in a more physical Era today he would drop 100 points and be more scary than KD because he's more dog than KD.

[@yourHoliness]

It's a harder case to say Kobe is not the goat than to say that he is the goat. But it is even harder to say that about LeBron. Did I mention 20 years with one team.. and still accomplish all of that. There was no Miami and playing with 5 hall of fame players only to get 2 rings out of 4 tries and the only time LeBron has won back to back. Kobe did that twice with and without Shaq. I'll drop the mic here

[@Fash0da]

The downfall of modern media can be traced directly back to nonsensical topics and so-called debates like this. Nuance is dead. Actual analysis is discouraged. Clicks and views generated by outrage are all that matter.

[@MyronZhao]

Kobe having Shaq is a weak take. He had Shaq for 3 of his rings, then won 2 when he left. MJ had Scottie and Dennis. Kareem had Magic and Worthy. Nobody ever takes away Kareem and Magic's accomplishments. Plus Worthy won a Finals MVP over both of them one year. Lebron had DWade, AD, Kyrie, Bosh, Love, DRose, Shaq, Russ, Ray Allen, Big Z, Dwight Howard, etc. How much help do you need bro? Plus he won the least amount of rings out of Kobe, MJ, Kareem.

[@BasketballJones48021]

Is this what ESPN has to offer? Smh… Even wasting having Tim Legler there with this BS, the best analyst there is and the best thing about them!

[@black24mambakobe]

Man really went to bball reference and seen "22 seasons" just cause they count some seasons as two if you have been traded mid season and said "22 years in the nba"... How tf did no one challenge him on Ariza being 22 years in the nba???

[@atlien1988]

They don't actually count them as separate seasons. It shows the teams played for in a specific calendar year & list it as TOTAL, followed by the teams played on in that particular season. These folks be running to look up stats, but hardly ever know how to read them properly.

[@yvesbailey]

Weird I don't have LeBron in my top 5 😮

[@AbdulDean448]

Lebron fans can't accept that people who played with him don't see him as the GOAT. They have seen what he is not able to do. Even his former teammates in the Heat, despite winning a title together, don't see him as the GOAT. That says a lot.

[@yohanceburnett]

Dont trust Trevor Ariza, who played with/against Lebron & Kobe. But we should trust a former NFL player and Sports Analyst. Both who have never coached/played basketball at a high level nor professionally. I understand it’s for ratings but don’t go insulting your viewers. Most importantly Trevor Ariza for his thoughts. If Shannon Sharpe was so confused, why didn’t he ask for clarification during the interview???

[@nbaexpert4730]

Stephen A Smith does not know basketball… This guy will come on national TV and hold Shaq against Kobe but won’t do the same to Kareem who had Magic for 5/6 of his rings. The disrespect to Kobe and criteria moving needs to stop. The media has made it its narrative to absolutely destroy the legacy of Kobe Bryant but will go and say Bill Russell. Tim Legler, shame on you, its documented MANY have mentioned KOBE in the goat convos. Shannon Sharpe, theres videos of you religiously riding for Kobe but you turned bronsexual Stephen A Smith just straight up gas CTE as he gets older

[@macenblu6]

omg! what an original and groundbreaking discussion! and here i was, so enthralled by the in season tournament, cuz it's super exciting...cuz espn tells me so! the last thing i could hope for is two super smart poc's debating such a fresh, new topic

[@KemperFi13]

MJ all day, all night

[@13thSerpent]

Make no mistake about it. Stephen A is MJ's Frat Brother Shannon is a Bronsexual That much is obvious just so we understand why nobody is ever allowed to personally pick Kobe over MJ or Lebron. And Tim Leger's take doesn't matter because he's up there guessing. "Never heard ANYBODY say Kobe" 🤔get him outta here!

[@basketball798]

The disrespect towards the great Kobe is unbearable! Freaking clowns

[@alfredooliva5175]

Kobe's in the GOAT conversation? I always thought that 5 was better than 4 !!!

[@Melooooo1507]

Brons first ring.. Shortened season ,, his 2nd ring.. Thanks to Ray Allen.. 3rd ring,, thanks to Drays suspension and the last one the bubble ring.. Y'all need to wake up.. Those are all questionable rings! Giannis' lone ring screams louder than those 4.. Queen James will be the GOAT among Kardashians😅😅😅

[@yct2.0]

Cry

[@rjluna7839]

Even Dirk’s ring is more meaningful than Lebron’s rings.

[@taylorcullimore]

Don’t forget about letting Kyrie close the game for him on ring three.

[@JuwanTaylor-jz5zr]

​@@yct2.0kobe is the goat 🐐

[@TheTlewis3074]

Tim Duncan is the G.O.A.T He didn't care about individual stats he just beat everybody he played against and never had a losing season in 19 years. That's all.

[@juliuscaesar6994]

Yeah but LeBron dropped 30 points at 38 years old.. 😂😂😂

[@johnnier.o.d4746]

2 of the most impressive about duncan's resume are .... he prevented the kobe/shaq from going 4peat & going history... & he prevented the fake 🐐, d/wade & bosh from going 3peat ..... imagine, if the lakers won 4peat, no team in the nba after the boston in the 60's won 4 straight titles ....

[@juliuscaesar6994]

@@johnnier.o.d4746 I have Tim over Bron all time because of this

[@TheTlewis3074]

@@juliuscaesar6994 Again, individual stat. But he couldn't beat Timmy. Duncan was more dominant against Lebron than Lebron against him. And twice the defender.

[@juliuscaesar6994]

@@TheTlewis3074 I was being sarcastic with my first comment..

[@Prob1017]

Yay another GOAT debate. Can’t wait

[@BeWaterMyFriend-pp8ze]

For the Gen Z and Haters it's like this. IF YOU ARE HAVING A SURGERY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO CHOOSE THE DOCTOR WHO ONLY HAS A SUCCESS RATE 66.67% (4-6 LBJ) OR DO YOU WANT A DOCTOR WHO HAS A SUCCESS RATE OF 100% (6-0 MJ). STOP DENYING PLEASE YOU KNOW WHICH ONE YOU WILL CHOOSE

[@YR-cr9db]

1.MJ 2.KOBE 3.Kareem ALL Time!!!

[@carlosmurray1528]

It's not merely the ring. It's being the best player and the finals mvp with the rings. It's the elite offense coupled with elite defense. It's the 10 scoring titles. Also the eye test. People got their money's when they went to a Jordan. The man was available. I don't want to take away from any great players that contributed to a championship team, but in a SERIOUS GOAT conversation we have to be more critical.

[@evaburnz]

Exactly. To be considered the GOAT, you first have to be the leader of your team. Obviously, when we lok at the greatest leaders of their teams, we're looking at whether or not they led their team to the promised land, and how often they did so whilst consistently being the greatest on heir team while doing so. Jordan did it with TWO 3PEATS. SIX in EIGHT SEASONS. THEY NEVER MENTION THE 3PEATS FFS

[@Th3MambaBry4nt]

i forgot his career is only 8 seasons@@evaburnz

[@fearlesskingdom4051]

MJ had a better championship run. 6-0 with 6 FMVPs. But LBJ is a better all around basketball player with a greater all around body of work.

[@luisdanielvega99]

@@fearlesskingdom4051 huh? not really, dont get me wrong lebron resume is insane and stacked. Mj resume doesnt fall short to lebrons, considering the time he played, he without any doubt was a better defender than lebron.

[@Mt554.]

​​@@luisdanielvega99 lebron is the better blocker and rebounder, and can guard all positions unlike mj, mj might be better against guards, but lebron is more versatile, and to some teams thats more valuable

[@alias1000]

Kobe

[@frewtlewps1152]

I don’t think LeBron belongs in the GOAT debate, but he is one of the players that has come closest to Jordan. I believe the four players that come closest to Jordan, in no particular order, are: 1. LeBron James - due to his total number of accolades and his ability to put several teams of varying overall quality in contention for titles 2. Magic Johnson - the most versatile basketball player ever, whose 12 year prime created the highest win percentage ever (73.95%) 3. Kobe Bryant - he was by far the best scorer of his era, achieving the greatest scoring feats in NBA history between 2003-2007. He was able to three peat with Shaq, and then win back to back without another Top 75 player against the most 50+ win teams in history 4. Bill Russell - he is the most revolutionary defensive player and leader of his time, and was the center piece of the greatest dynasty in sports history. He is one of three team sport athletes to win championships in the double digits. These four players are a tier below Jordan, but that’s not a bad thing to say. All five of these guys belong on basketball’s Mount Rushmore.

[@mikeeslominski7617]

Michael - Kobe. two best ever. nobody else needs to be in this conversation

[@mcolvinis1]

They both are in their own seasons...how bout that

[@sedaw3261]

The simplest reason why MJ is the GOAT is because, as Stephen A. says, he was an assassin from the moment he got into the league, and as soon as he got actual help from his teammates, once Scottie became an All-Star, Jordan never again didn't win a championship after playing a full season. Basically, he couldn't win it all by himself, which no one can, and once he got actual help he never again didn't win it all, and he never even allowed game 7. That's crazy. Mind you, if his father didn't get murdered, it's possible Bulls would've won 8 STRAIGHT CHAMPIONSHIPS! Couple that with 10 scoring championships, 5 MVPs, 6 Finals MVPs, 9-time first team all-defense, playing 80+ games almost every season, etc. It's MJ, he's the GOAT. Period

[@FlyAwayChi]

And Scottie wasn't even an all star in 1991 (THE FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP).......

[@__RonnieHouston__]

Preach! 👏🏽

[@gmailgmail6234]

He lost in a 1995

[@FlyAwayChi]

@@gmailgmail6234 So goofy?? Do you not hear how ridiculous you sound? Yeah he lost in May of '95 after coming back in March of '95... LeBron had the biggest meltdown chokejob that we have ever seen from a superstar on the biggest stage which is the Finals, in his PRIME .... Also with Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade on the floor with him which should have made it easier smh LeBron even being mentioned in the same breathe as MJ is pure comedy

[@dangelobrown87]

Since Kobe passed the media been tarnashing his legacy if he was still alive media will be saying he is better than Lebron

[@Mysterion907]

Nothing but fax

[@shanfun8919]

Lebron wasn't scared in his year going up to his first title. he performed really well as a rookie and carried his cavs team to the finals in 07

[@vulcanraven9701]

Well he did play terrible in 2007 championship

[@cyberbron2024]

@@vulcanraven9701 he didn't play terrible. He had 22 7 and 7. His efficiency and turnovers were bad but that's because he went up against 4 hall of famers in only his 4th year and had no other right hand man to attract the spurs defense to take heat off him.

[@Mt554.]

​@@vulcanraven9701 jordan choked against shaq in 95, kobe choked against the pistons, it happens

[@vulcanraven9701]

​@@Mt554. Jordan avg 31ppg in that series and Kobe/Lebron avg 22ppg with subpar shooting in their series..those series are not comparable imo

[@YR-cr9db]

lebron average 17 ppg his 1st finals and got swept then totally disappeared in his 2nd finals against Dallas and he had a Superteam how tf is that Goat Status make it make sense

[@SpaceCityGamer]

So for Stephen A what sets them apart is how they were different when they weren't winning...

[@Snaaaakey]

I've seen both Jordan and LeBron play. I can excuse the youngsters who didn't see Jordan play who say MJ isn't the goat. In fact I feel sorry for them. They missed something special. But the old heads. Shame on you! He would tear everyone and everything to pieces to win. Was great on and off the ball. Great on offense and defense. Was the definition of CLUTCH. he's the greatest athlete of any sport of all time let alone basketball.

[@LazyCrazyGuy]

Again? Why are we beating a dead horse? It's undisputably MJ. Lebron leads the NBA with most bricked shots, most turnovers, etc. You can't be the GOAT with stats like that on the resume.

[@crowowlraven9971]

Kobe got rings without Shaq. How many did Jordan get without Pippen?

[@docholiday1463]

Wilt Chamberlain has more in common with lebron than Jordon . Both will retire the all time leading scorer both was phenoms before they played on nba court and both loss a lot of big important basketball games Jordon once he got to the top he stayed on top and had not 1 but 2 3 peats

[@cedmc6711]

#1 Jordan #2 bill Russell #3 kobe bryant #4 Kareem #5 everybody else!!!!!!! F.o.o.h

[@hcf797]

Here’s an analogy: Two guys are competing to see who can get more 🐱 in a month. The first is able to get seven numbers and smash 5 of em. The second gets ten numbers, but only smashes 4. Here’s another: You have two sales reps competing to be the best sales rep of the year. The first rep has 7 deals in the closing stages, and manages to close 5 deals. The second rep, has 10 deals in the closing stage, and closes 4. In both scenarios, who is better: 1 or 2?

[@grift5120]

😂😂😂😂 I’ll go with 1

[@frankylito3030]

The fact that lebron has scored so many points and only resulted in 4 championships with all the super teams he has put together for himself shows MJs greatness even more. Meaningless vs meaningful points.

[@elostatik]

Or could show the talent levels in the competition of the eras they played in.

[@Monaco377]

Not to mention he only has 1 or 2 scoring titles, while MJ has 10. MJ was far more efficient overall in what he did on the court.

[@bbostic]

💯💯💯🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽