Despite having played in completely different eras, LeBron James and Michael Jordan have been pitted against each other in almost every other conversation. There is no doubt that both athletes have made an immense contribution to the sport in their respective ways and have earned the right to be called one of the best basketball players in the world. However, one question still remains unanswered. Who is the ultimate GOAT? A former NBA All-Star recently shared his thoughts on both players – only to be dismissed by King James’ teammate.

Michael Jordan played for fifteen seasons in the NBA during which he revolutionized the game with his impeccable skills and competitive nature. After winning six championships with the Chicago Bulls, MJ eventually retired for the third and last time from the league in 2o03. It was the same year LeBron James was selected in the NBA Draft as the 1st overall pick.

Lakers-star guard speaks up for LeBron James

In a recent episode of the podcast The Point Forward, Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves sat for an extensive chat with the host and former NBA player Evan Turner. As the duo got immersed in a conversation, Reaves talked about his decision to turn down a deal with the Detroit Pistons for a two-way contract with the Lakers. He shared that going undrafted during the 2021 Draft was the ‘right thing’ to do.

Upon hearing Reaves, Turner asked how he got the confidence to give up a deal with the Pistons and pursue a career with the Lakers by playing ‘alongside the second greatest-player of all time‘. In response, Reaves countered by asking, “Second?” When Turner clarified that he was talking about LeBron James, with Michael Jordan being the GOAT, Reaves replied, “Everybody wants to go off numbers now.”

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Turner then said, “You’re doing your job too. If LeBron was watching this, I would like, ‘Yo! Why didn’t you ask I’m the second?’ So, I respect that man.”

Following that, Reaves said, “One of the biggest factors into all of it was actually LeBron.” He added, “There’s some difficulties but he makes the game so much easier for everybody else if you can, if you think the game like, you understand how he likes to play, what he wants players to do. He’s, whatever you say, second best player in the world for a reason.”

Young NBA star might soon bid goodbye to the Lakers

Back in 2021, Austin Reaves was just a player who went undrafted and entered a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, things have drastically changed for the 24-year-old star guard in the past one and a half years. Reaves is now considered among the best players in the Lakers, having mostly carried the team in LeBron’s absence.

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While the Lakers gradually make the way up the Western Conference rankings, reports of Reaves’ departure began surfacing ahead of his free agency. One doesn’t need to be told what it would mean for the Lakers to lose an asset like Reaves. For now, it is only a matter of waiting and watching to see what Reaves’ decision would be if such an opportunity presents itself.