The NBA has had some incredible players grace their courts over the years, but the GOAT debate has now come down to two men: Michael Jordan and LeBron James . Jordan is the more popular pick, and an argument in his favor is that he won six NBA titles, compared to James' four.
So what happens if James wins a couple more? Well, his former Miami Heat teammate Mario Chalmers still won't call him the greatest. Chalmers recently attended a Got Sole event in Miami, where he once again called Jordan the GOAT.
Interviewer : "If LeBron goes and wins a championship in Philly this year, does he enter that conversation against Mike?"
Mario Chalmers : "What conversation? For the GOAT?"
Interviewer : "For the GOAT."
Chalmers : "No."
Interviewer : "No? If he wins two more?"
Chalmers : "[Shakes head]."
Interviewer : "No way? What could LeBron do to enter the conversation against Mike? Or there's no way?"
Chalmers : "He's his own GOAT."
Interviewer : "But not to beat MJ, though? There's no way? Nothing he can do at this point?"
Chalmers : "Certain people, it cannot be touched. That's just what it is."
Chalmers has spoken about how James will never surpass Jordan in his eyes . The 40-year-old prefers the player who always wanted to take the last shot over the one who always makes the right play.
Jordan being a perfect 6-0 in the NBA Finals is another reason Chalmers thinks he is the GOAT . James is 4-6, but those four additional trips don't impress his former teammate.
Chalmers also believes no one fears James the way Jordan's peers feared him . He has clearly picked his side and isn't budging no matter what.
Now, Jordan's resume is the more impressive one, too. The Chicago Bulls icon won six NBA titles, six Finals MVPs, five MVPs, one DPOY, and 10 scoring titles. The 63-year-old has the highest career scoring average in the regular season (30.1) and the playoffs (33.4) in NBA history.
As for James, he has won four NBA titles, four Finals MVPs, four MVPs, one scoring title, and one assists title. Longevity is what boosts his case, as he is the NBA's all-time leading scorer and is still going strong in his 24th season.
James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in the summer, and calling them a superteam might be an understatement. The 41-year-old joined forces with Jaylen Brown , Joel Embiid , Tyrese Maxey , and VJ Edgecombe in Philadelphia.
The 76ers are one of the title favorites now, and it won't be a surprise if they go on to win it all. That will strengthen the 41-year-old's case in the eyes of many, but not his former teammate Danny Green . Green believes winning a championship as the third or fourth option on the 76ers won't make James the GOAT . He won't give him any extra credit.
As for James, he has called himself the GOAT plenty of times by now . He thinks he became the greatest back in 2016 when he and the Cleveland Cavaliers stormed back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the 73-9 Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.
