"I admire him for what he's done" - Michael Jordan gives honest take on LeBron James and the GOAT conversation
Although the NBA revolves around basketball, it cannot be denied that it is a multi-billion-dollar business constantly seeking its next global superstar and cash cow. From Magic Johnson and Larry Bird in the 1980s to Michael Jordan in the '90s to Kobe Bryant in the 2000s, each decade has had its iconic player who captured the hearts and minds of fans worldwide.
The 2010s, though, arguably belonged to LeBron James , who won four NBA championships during that era and countless individual accomplishments and records. In turn, fans and talking heads alike quickly placed him alongside Jordan, pitting the two against each other for the title of "Greatest of All Time" or GOAT.
On the latest episode of "Insights to Excellence," Jordan shared that while he understands the marketing aspect of comparing him to LeBron or any other player, he chooses to stay away from such conversations. Instead, he elects to recognize and praise LeBron for the remarkable career that he has had.
Part of the hype
Part of the reason why the NBA has become so popular is the conversations and narratives that surround it. Fans love to debate and compare players, especially when it comes to the GOAT conversation. This generates buzz and keeps people invested in the league, making it more than just a sport but also entertainment.
"It's part of the marketing, part of the hype, part of the things that tries to elevate one generation above the other, right?" Jordan stated . "I think it creates animosity. I have no animosity against today's players, but you do have certain players that do have animosity because of the forgottenness of what their contribution has been to the game of basketball."
While comparing players from different eras is a fun exercise, Jordan said he would rather praise every great who has pushed the game forward, especially James, who, at 41, remains an elite scorer and playmaker.
"Look, I think LeBron has had an unbelievable career and I admire him for what he's done," MJ added. "And Kobe as well, as KD and all these guys who have played in this era. I think they've elevated the game of basketball tremendously."
Don't diminish an era to elevate another
Jordan said people are free to discuss their thoughts on basketball, but it's important to remember and appreciate every era for what it brought to the game.
"We should always preserve that. We should always reward that they paved the road for a lot of generations after that. And by doing that, you somewhat — I mean, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell had 11 championships," MJ stated.
"How do you just push them in the corner and say, 'Oh, we ain't going to think about you. We forgot about you.' That, to me, is where I get lost," he furthered.
As is often the case, fans and the media often rave about the latest and greatest. While that's all well and good, they often end up diminishing the accomplishments of those who came before. Jordan meant to emphasize that while it's a natural tendency to focus on the present, it's important to give credit where credit is due.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Mar 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
