For decades, the NBA’s ‘Greatest of All Time’ debate has captivated fans, analysts, and players alike. Is it Michael Jordan, the six-time NBA champion and cultural icon, or LeBron James, the unparalleled all-around talent and the four-time NBA champion? This endless argument reignited recently on First Take, where Stephen A. Smith and an NFL legend went head-to-head, delivering a fiery exchange that added more fuel to the GOAT conversation.

The clash was sparked when Stephen A. boldly declared LeBron James as the second-best basketball player of all time—behind none other than Michael Jordan. While giving LeBron his due, Smith made everything clear. “Do you realize that LeBron James right now is a top-five player on the planet at age 40? I mean we say, we talk about the triple-double whatever. The brother is top in the world right now. So nobody’s taking anything away. I’m not one of those dudes that’s going to look at LeBron James and not acknowledge. This brother is Mt. Rushmore, one of the top two all-time. He just ain’t number one, it’s Michael Jordan,” said Smith during his show.

Unsurprisingly, Shannon Sharpe, an unapologetic advocate for LeBron’s legacy, wasn’t having it and emphatically argued Smith’s comment. “He’s number one [while doing a hand gesture], and he ain’t two,” said Sharpe during the show. This made Smith furious, and he gave the reason as to why Jordan is the number 1 player for him. “LeBron James at his best ain’t Michael Jordan at his best, and everybody knows that…6-0, ten-time scoring champion, nine-time All NBA Defensive… LeBron is great, I like what I’m seeing from up, it’s spectacular, if he keeps it up, the Lakers could potentially go to the finals if he keeps it up, but he’s all of that in a bag of chips. But he just ain’t Jordan,” added Smith on his show.

Stephen A. Smith’s skepticism about LeBron James surpassing Michael Jordan lies heavily in the stark contrast between their achievements in critical moments and dominance. Jordan boasts a flawless 6-0 record in NBA Finals appearances, earning Finals MVP every time. LeBron, while having reached the Finals ten times, holds a 4-6 record, with some losses coming in lopsided series. Smith often emphasizes Jordan’s unparalleled scoring dominance, highlighted by his 10 scoring titles compared to LeBron’s one.

Additionally, Jordan’s playoff scoring average of 33.4 points per game remains the highest in NBA history, further solidifying his clutch reputation. While LeBron’s all-time leading scorer title is impressive, Smith argues it stems more from longevity than superior peak dominance. To Smith, these disparities in championship success and scoring prowess underscore why LeBron, as great as he is, remains behind Jordan in the GOAT hierarchy.

Ultimately, the Stephen A. Smith vs. Shannon Sharpe clash is an example of the Jordan vs. LeBron debate that will remain cordial for a long time. But one thing is clear: regardless of whether you’re Team Jordan or Team LeBron, both have impacted NBA history. However, this isn’t the only time Smith has lauded His Airness.

Another time when Stephen A. Smith chose Jordan over LeBron James

Stephen A. Smith has never been too shy to toot Michael Jordan’s horn, calling him the gold standard in basketball greatness. Often he points to Jordan’s legendary performances, such as the 1997 NBA Finals ‘Flu Game,’ as evidence of this guy’s extraordinary resolve.

Just like this recent episode, Smith was asked a simple question a year ago on First Take: Do you view LeBron as the greatest scorer ever? The ESPN analyst didn’t spare a moment to answer that. “No, I do not. The greatest scorer ever was Michael Jordan… When you talk about an assassin or scorer, no, that’s going to be Michael Jordan. It’s been that way, and it’s going to stay that way. And it’s just that simple,” said Smith during the segment.

Over his 15-season career, Jordan averaged 30.1 points per game, a testament to his consistent offensive brilliance Still, Smith also gave LeBron his flowers during the segment. “Very, very worthy of all the adulation, all the celebration. This man has not only been one of the greatest players in NBA history, he has been one of the greatest ambassadors and one of the greatest people,” said Smith. In the end, it can only be said that the GOAT debate will get more intense as time passes.