LeBron James vs Michael Jordan GOAT debate heads into new direction, courtesy Stephen A. Smith

The GOAT debate between LeBron James vs Michael Jordan has dominated basketball shows for more than a decade.

LeBron James vs Michael Jordan GOAT debate heads into new direction, courtesy Stephen A. Smith

Stephen A. Smith feels LeBron James vs Michael Jordan GOAT debate has to stop

Over the past decade or so, the most debated topic in basketball has been about the LeBron James vs Michael Jordan GOAT conversation. In all this time, fans were split as one side claimed the Chicago Bulls great was the undisputed great, whereas there were many who believed that tag has shifted.

Both sides do have valid points as James has not matched Jordan on many counts. Most important of them are his NBA Finals to titles count and his lack of defensive accolades. On the flip side, many argue that the Los Angeles Lakers star has faced tougher competition.

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Those arguments have seen television shows go off the rails as analysts justify their logics. On ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith has always held down Michael Jordan’s side whereas Shannon Sharpe presented James’ case. In their latest episode, Smith said this about the Lakers superstar.

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There’s nobody who has been as good for as long, meaning longevity, a sustained level of pristine excellence. LeBron James is the GOAT, in that category. Jordan at his best is the greatest that I have ever seen. But Jordan wasn’t that good for that long.

Stephen A. Smith said

He did say that LeBron James at his best has not been as good as Michael Jordan when he was at his best. But the Bulls legend could not be consistently good for this long. The Lakers superstar has redefined what continuous excellence is and that is why he is Smith’s GOAT in that category.

Stephen A. Smith wants LeBron James vs Michael Jordan GOAT debate to stop

Stephen A. Smith is essentially placing LeBron James and Michael Jordan in two separate GOAT categories. He believes they should have their own spaces so that fans can appreciate the two instead of maligning one other.

Knowing how I feel about Jordan, and I think anybody that knows basketball agrees with me. I actually think it’s time to not even have the debate anymore. Because that’s how great LeBron James has been for as long as he has been that great.

Stephen A. Smith said

The longtime analyst added that the Los Angeles Lakers superstar is the model of consistency that players need to follow. Even at age 40 and in season 22, Smith marveled at the fact that James is better conditioned than 98% of the league.

In his memory, there hasn’t been a second player who has had this level of dedication to the game. Kobe Bryant was close, but he could not do what James did. Therefore, Smith believes LeBron James is a GOAT of basketball, but with his own special category.