CHICAGO — Out of 112 active or former players polled by one media outlet or another over the past four years, 49 picked LeBron James as the GOAT and 46 picked Michael Jordan, with 17 votes going to other players, according to HoopsHype.
Out of 57 active players polled, 34 picked James (59.60 percent) and 17 picked Jordan (29.80 percent).
Meanwhile, among 55 retired players, 29 picked Jordan (52.70 percent) and 15 picked James (27.30 percent).
The GOAT debate between Jordan and James is among the most discussed topics in basketball discourse. It often gets ugly because Jordan fans bash James to uplift MJ and James fans rip Jordan to praise LeBron.
During a wide-ranging conversation with Dave McMenamin of ESPN during the 2025-26 season, James opened up like never before about the GOAT debate between him and Jordan.
“I think it’s a very tiring conversation,” James said. “It’s barbershop talk. You can look at both of us and say that you love both of us without trying to s— on the other person. And usually, it’s s—ting on me. But I know for sure that I’ve done my part in this journey and more than anything I hope — I don’t know — but I hope I made him proud at least, wearing that No. 23.”
Jordan averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 0.8 blocks per game with the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards during his NBA career. He won five MVPs, one Defensive Player of the Year award, six championships, six Finals MVPs, three steals titles and 10 scoring titles with the Bulls.
Meanwhile, James holds career averages of 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks per game with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers. He’s a four-time MVP, four-time champion, four-time Finals MVP, one-time scoring champion and one-time assists champion.
Jordan is first in NBA history in points per game in the regular season and playoffs. He holds the NBA record for most points (63) scored in a playoff game. Jordan went 6-0 in the NBA Finals and three-peated twice with the Bulls in the ’90s.
James, who grew up idolizing Jordan, is 4-6 in the NBA Finals. He spoke about his losing Finals record with McMenamin and how people use it against him in the GOAT debate with Jordan.
“When I was younger, I used to have the notion of like, people were getting on me for losing in the Finals, and when I was younger, I used to listen to it,” James said. “Like, people will really rather you not make the playoffs or lose in the first round than to lose in the Finals, which is crazy to me. And I almost feel like, is it because it’s me? Everybody has to say something about my career: ‘Oh, well, he made eight straight Finals, but he was only able to win three.’ ‘He’s the leading scorer in NBA history, but he’s played 23 years.'”
James is first in NBA history in points, field goals, games and minutes. He’s the only player to rank top five all-time in points and assists, the only player to win three Finals MVPs with three teams, the only player with 40,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 10,000 career assists and the only player to score 50,000 points combining the regular season and playoffs.
Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009, while James will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer once he retires from the NBA.
“There are a lot of things that MJ did better than I do,” James said. “And I think there are some things that I do better than him. That’s just how the game goes. There’s a lot of things that I can say in particular. You already know how this conversation is going to be [misinterpreted] by people, man.
“I think I am 1 of 1. I think the way I play the game, I am a 1-of-1 player. And MJ, as well. A f—ing unbelievable basketball player. I think his midrange jump shot was unbelievable. He did so many things great. I grew up f—ing analyzing everything that he did. How he could get to his spot and rise up above everybody. Obviously, his post game was elite. His will to win. I think that is a trait that we all know and that we all wanted to be like. His determination to win.
“I never have compared myself to MJ because our games are totally different. I have been a point-forward/forward-point my whole life. I have always looked for the pass. MJ kind of looked for the shot. Not kind of, he did. He looked for the shot. There are a lot of things where I would say my game is a lot different and a little better than his, but s—, he was f—ing great. We’re both great. We’re both great basketball players.”
James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers this summer. He turns 42 in December.
