The Michael Jordan versus LeBron James debate has become basketball’s version of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object. Jordan’s 6-0 Finals record stands as a testament to his unmatched competitive drive, while James’ sustained excellence across two decades with ten NBA Final appearances and four championships with three different franchises showcased his unparalleled longevity and adaptability. However, a recent comment by a New York Knicks power forward has resulted in ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith and the fans going into a fiery mode.

In the latest episode of the ‘Stephen A. Smith Show’, the analyst went vented out on a recent comment made by the newest member of the New York Knicks, Karl Anthony Towns. According to Smith, Shannon Sharpe, who is the host of the podcast in which Towns was the guest, had somehow influenced Towns’ opinion, turning what should have been a personal perspective into a controversial media spectacle. “You know I mean that damn Shay Shay, he instigating stuff. I see what you trying to do Shay Shay, it ain’t going to work, it ain’t gonna work Shannon Sharpe, you can try that nonsense all you want to. You can line up call everytime. Go get one of my members, one of my New York Knicks all right, one of my New York Knicks who you hate on,” said Smith during his podcast. But what did Towns really say?

The 56-year-old, former NFL champion is often considered to be a LeBron advocate. He had brought up the same GOAT debate regarding Jordan and James numerous times during previous segments of his podcast and had also lauded the Los Angeles Lakers standout for hyping up his son to join the team. In the recent episode of the ‘Club Shay Shay’ podcast, Sharpe asked Towns, which player, according to him was the GOAT, to which the young power-forward was quick to answer. “I‘m only gonna speak what I see with my own two eyes. I can’t speak for everything, I wouldn’t be able to but man LeBron different… Bron’s the best player that we have ever seen, talentwise, I think he’s the best player,” said Towns during the podcast.

After analysts and stars, fans choose their NBA GOAT

As mentioned earlier, the eternal question of who is the greatest player of all time Michael Jordan or LeBron James, has been a topic of fervent debate for years. While experts and analysts have weighed in with their opinions, this time the fans have taken the freedom to declare the GOAT once and for all, with one fan saying, “of course MJ is the goat,” and another commenting, “MJ won the championships on one team. He didn’t need to join the other stars.”

Stephen A. Smith, during this particular segment of his show, made it clear that he loves Karl Anthony Towns as much he loves the New York Knicks team as a “New York all day every day,” but also mentioned that the 28-year-old should know his place. According to SAS, by the time he was born, Jordan already had three championship rings. Fans were quick to point it out with one follower saying, “1995 MJ had 3 rings gunning for ring no.4.”

It has been evident and said by many young players that most of the time they don’t choose Jordan as their GOAT because they have never seen him play live. The only resource they have is recordings of his past gameplay and this similar problem was brought up in the comment section.

“The reason this generation feels they cant acknowledge a player from another era is the GOAT is they feel by doing so they are somehow diminishing their own talent or accomplishments. Not true. Lebron is a pantheon one of the greatest players ever. He has broken records and done things that will NEVER be repeated. So has Jordan. And he is the GOAT. That doesn’t and should not diminish anyone else,” commented one fan while another one wrote, “These kids never saw Jordan play they just say LeBron the flopper play. Sorry, kids, Jordan is and will always be the GOAT,”

While others were busy commenting about why Michael Jordan was the ultimate GOAT, one fan took his time to acknowledge the NBA analyst’s efforts by saying, “Gotta love Steven a smith needed that laugh.” Finally, the NBA world has made its choice clear in the Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James GOAT debate, and it’s Jordan who reigns supreme. This recent controversy regarding Towns’ comments just solidified MJ’s status.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.