Top NBA draft pick weighs in on the GOAT debate, siding with LeBron James over Michael Jordan in a take that’s sure to spark controversy.

James, 40, went with his childhood idol, Chicago Bulls and NBA icon Michael Jordan. "When you're talking about inspiration, there was nobody more inspiring to me than Michael Jordan," James said.

LeBron James and Michael Jordan on the court during halftime of the 2022 NBA All-Star Game. / David Richard-Imagn Images The NBA GOAT debate is among the most heated of any prominent worldwide sport.

Related: “We are too old for this right now” - Magic Johnson pleads with Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas to talk out their beef michael-jordan-and-lebron-james-on-nba-75 ...

Michael Jordan Voted G.O.A.T Popular sports website Bleacher Report also ranked Jordan above James in their top-100 players of all-time list published on July 14, 2025.

Michael Jordan's Nike contract was a game-changer. LeBron James has weighed in on social issues. Who was a bigger influencer off the court?