Michael Irvin offered an interesting take on the NBA GOAT debate during his recent appearance on the "All the Smoke Podcast" with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson .
When Barnes asked Irvin to rank Michael Jordan , LeBron James and Kobe Bryant , the former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver and three-time Super Bowl winner gave a thought-provoking take.
"I think Jordan is a phenomenal, phenomenal player. And certainly all that he's gotten, he deserves. But when you look at LeBron and what LeBron has done, even Kobe and Kobe is a great player, phenomenal, but when you look at LeBron, and what he's done, LeBron has changed a lot of things in a big way. All Michael Jordan has accomplished, and all he's done and all he did, he couldn't get his own owner to extend them another year. Like dude, come on man, what are you doing here? What is that?" said Irvin. "
Jordan was the most recognizable athlete on the planet during his peak in the 1990s. However, despite winning six championships from 1991 to 1998, he was unable to convince Chicago Bulls team owner Jerry Reinsdorf to bring the team back together for at least one more title run in 1999.
"LeBron came in a different way and has done a different thing. And now LeBron has some control. He changed the business of basketball. It's not just dribbling. His business acumen…" he added.
Irvin also talked about Bryant going at James during the 2013 All-Star Game. But the latter wanted no part of it because he did not want to vanquish his rivals; he wanted to join forces with them for a bigger goal.
"That wasn't his game plan," explained Irvin. "He's like, 'I don't have to show up and take over.' I really want to take over. So instead of beating down the top alpha male, he was like, 'No, I'm trying to partner with these guys so we could do bigger and better things. We can have more control.' LeBron got way more control than Michael Jordan ever had, over this whole thing."
While Irvin applauded James from the business side of things, he admitted that, as far as on-court performance is concerned, Jordan obviously gets the edge due to his immaculate 6-0 NBA Finals record and the fact he won almost every individual award that could be won in the NBA.
"On the court, you can say that Michael Jordan was the GOAT. Off the court, you're gonna say LeBron James is the GOAT. It's on the court and off the court. Because what he's done in basketball, he's the GOAT. But playing? I'll give it to Michael," Irvin concluded.
Basketball's GOAT debate has often revolved around titles won, individual accolades and awards, and even shoes sold. If that's the criterion, most people still choose Jordan over James.
But when it comes to off-the-court stuff, many argue the current Los Angeles Lakers superstar has done enough to overshadow the Bulls legend. Along with his unprecedented longevity, that's the best case LeBron can present for the title of the greatest player ever. Is it enough? That's on everyone to decide for themselves.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 9, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
