How do you define GOAT? No clear answers, right? The list of legends is long, and the debate in basketball has been ongoing for decades, with names like Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Kobe Bryant, Shaq, and now players like LeBron James entering the conversation. While fans and analysts argue endlessly about who deserves the title, the debate remains ever-ongoing. And with all due respect, everyone has proved themselves to fit into the debate. But is it just a fan thing or do players too claim themselves to be the greatest of all time?

There was a time when guys like Jordan and Russell would just ball out and let their trophies do the talking. But now, with social media blowing up, everyone’s got a mic, and athletes are more into promoting themselves. Fair enough, you get to juice out from everything that’s on your platter. So, when LeBron talks about being the GOAT, it gets way more attention than if Jordan had said the same thing back in the day.

Recently, a post surfaced on social media that reignited the debate by sharing a video that compared Jordan and LeBron’s comments on being the GOAT. So, what was the video about? It picked instances from LeBron calling himself the greatest, stating, “G-O-A-T. What are you talking about? Stop playing with me.” Meanwhile, Jordan is seen deflecting the label, saying, “Start comparing who’s the best of all time—I never can accept that role.” 

But whom do you side with? Jordan’s humility and LeBron’s confidence? Well, both can be considered great, but their statements reveal their personalities. While they have their loyal bases, it is Jordan’s humility that allowed fans to speak on his behalf. “One of them is secure enough in his greatness that he doesn’t need to convince anyone, he simply is. The other keeps saying it, hoping that if he repeats it enough, others will believe what he himself doubts,” added a fan. But what does this indicate?

This sentiment aligns with a broader perspective that Jordan, by letting his game and legacy speak for themselves, demonstrated a quiet confidence, whereas LeBron’s repeated self-affirmation suggests he feels the need to solidify his place in history verbally. However, the thread does raise a question: Were the claims true, or is it just picking out clips to fit a certain narrative? Wait till you find an answer here.

Keep aside Jordan-James for a second. Do you think the Celtics legend, Bill Russell, has claimed something similar? The answer might be no. His focus was primarily on team success (yes, like every other player). There’s limited evidence that he explicitly declared himself the greatest. His humility suggests he wouldn’t make such claims. However, his not participating in the debate should not mean that he is not a candidate for it. After all, the man proved his abilities by leading the Boston Celtics to secure 11 NBA championships. Guess in how many years? 11 in a 13-year career! Insane, right? But what about others?

The GOAT debate: allegations and truth, but basketball triumphs

For every allegation, there’s a counter. Interestingly, many pointed out that only LeBron has claimed the “GOAT” title, but there was a section that highlighted otherwise. Figures like Michael Jordan, Russell, Chamberlain, and Bryant, too, have asserted their greatness.

What’s interesting is that it’s true that Jordan has made such claims previously. When did the 6-time NBA champion say so? Well, the answer is that, during an old interview, Jordan talked about going 1vs1 against OJ Mayo at his camp. In the interview, MJ revealed that he told Mayo, “You may be the best high school player, but I’m the best player in the world.”

Even Mayo confirmed Michael Jordan’s exact words at the time! However, this is not the only proof! In another interview, Jordan stated, “When I leave this game, I [would] like to think that I was the best ever.” He answered this because the interviewer had told him to give his thoughts without any “false modesty.” Importantly, in the shared clips, Jordan isn’t disputing his GOAT status! He is simply not trying to disrespect anyone by publicly making such a statement. But was he alone on the list?

Wilt Chamberlain, in contrast, was known for his confidence and often proclaimed his superiority in basketball. He openly declared himself the greatest basketball player people have ever seen. He even once told Jordan, “Until they start changing the game because you are so great, then I don’t think you should be giving yourself such accolades”.

Kobe Bryant, celebrated for his “Mamba Mentality,” had immense confidence in his abilities. However, he did not publicly label himself as the greatest. In a 2015 interview, Bryant stated he would not include himself in an all-time starting five, instead naming players like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Jerry West. This reflects his deep respect for the game’s history and its legends.

Everything aside, let the debate on GOAT continue because till the time fans are entertained and engaged, the game will live, no matter who claims the crown.