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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

You should be ashamed. That is nonsense.” A few weeks ago, Stephen A. Smith quickly rushed in support of his GOAT, against his First Take co-host Shannon Sharpe. At that time, LeBron James was going through one of the worst slumps of his entire career, yet the NFL legend questioned Michael Jordan’s run with the Wizards. Similarly, recently Smith got into a debate with another ESPN employee, over another stat.

LeBron had 31 and 10, Steph Curry had 38 points and look at this most 30-point career games LeBron James just one shy of tying your goat.” Malika Andrews on NBA Countdown shared that the Lakers superstar has scored 30 points in 561 games. Just one away from Michael Jordan’s record of 562 games. Naturally, that infuriated Stephen A. Smith. “Stop! LeBron James is phenomenal.”

“He’s great, he’s on Mount Rushmore of basketball. He’s not Michael Jordan. LeBron James in his 22nd season Michael Jordan played 15.” However, Andrews tried to explain to him how “It’s just one stat recognizing greatness.” But there was no stopping Smith, once his GOAT was challenged. “The other day I brought up the buzzer-beaters look, Michael Jordan outscored him nine to seven in buzzer-beating game-winners, but guess what LeBron has played seven more years? Can we stop?

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Once again, the host, Andrews, tried to cool things down. “It’s just a stat, it wasn’t meant to attack you personally.” Yet, Smith understood the banter and replied, “You’re not attacking me, you’re attacking Michael Jordan.” For the 57-year-old media veteran, it doesn’t matter if he is challenging his fellow ESPN colleague’s beliefs. Because he has done that in the past too.

Smith backing Michael Jordan despite scatting allegations from NFL veteran

Just a few weeks ago, the Akron Hammer would score over 20 points just once. In fact, his scoring efficiency was also less than 50, and against the Wolves in the early December game, LeBron would only score 10 points. In that period of his last four games, he’s missed all 19 of his attempts from beyond the arc. Shannon Sharpe defended the Lakers superstar suggesting he had seen a certain someone’s slump last for two years.

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via Imago

The 3x Super Bowl champion was talking about Michael Jordan and his spell with the Wizards. That’s why Stephen A. Smith had to remind people of the real truth behind the move. “The point is the only reason he came out of retirement to go to Washington was for ownership. That’s what happened.”

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Is LeBron's longevity enough to dethrone MJ as the ultimate basketball GOAT?

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As per reports, Abe Pollin (Wizards owner at the time) had plans for the front office role for MJ. That’s why His Airness donned the jersey for the Washington franchise, but later the plans changed as we know now.

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Eventually, LeBron James would overtake Michael Jordan in the most games with a 30-point stat. But that still won’t make him the #1 player in Stephen A. Smith’s eyes. That spot will forever be reserved for MJ.

 

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Is LeBron's longevity enough to dethrone MJ as the ultimate basketball GOAT?