Top 5 NBA players who picked LeBron James over Michael Jordan in the GOAT debate

It's always intriguing for fans to know what other NBA players think about the LeBron James-Michael Jordan GOAT debate.

Both players have different styles and have dominated their opponents in their own ways. With LeBron James heading towards the end of his illustrious career, the debate has only heated up.

But for some NBA players, there is no debate. They have picked their GOAT and have their reasons as well. Many of these players have claimed LeBron James is the greatest ever despite him still playing in the league.

On that note, let's take a look at five NBA players who have picked LeBron James over Michael Jordan as the GOAT of basketball.

#5 Kendrick Perkins

Kendrick Perkins, a former teammate of LeBron James, is another former player who hasn't been shy about claiming that James is the GOAT. ESPN released a list of the top 74 players of all time, in which James was ranked second behind Michael Jordan.

Perkins did not agree to the list and made his argument for the same on ESPN's "Get Up" show. Here's what he said:

"Michael Jordan was a killer. I am not knocking that. But when we talk about LeBron James he is the best all-around basketball player I ever laid my eyes on and that's why I got him as the GOAT."

Just like many others, Perkins also pressed on the fact that LeBron James is the better all-around player. In other interviews, Perkins has also mentioned statistics that would elevate James' status as the GOAT of basketball.

James is on course to break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record of being the all-time leading scorer in NBA history. He is also close to amassing 10,000 career assists and rebounds, which Perkins believes to be some of the major aspects that make LeBron the GOAT.

#4 Gilbert Arenas

Washington Wizards v Cleveland Cavaliers, Game 2

Gilbert Arenas is one of the few players to have played against Michael Jordan and LeBron James. The former Washington Wizards player has expressed his opinion on James being the better player on multiple occasions.

Here's what he said on 'Whistle's' YouTube channel in January this year:

"The reason I feel LeBron is the GOAT is because during pressure times he still makes the actual right decision. Versus what us fans and public wants him to do. You know that's what separates him from Jordan and Kobe, where if you give Jordan and Kobe those Cavs teams they wouldn't make the playoffs, they wouldn't have made it to the championship. Because Jordan would have just averaged 60 and said do hell with it."

LeBron James' ability to contribute in more than one way is truly exceptional. Many fans and analysts have referred to this trait to make strong arguments in favor of James being the GOAT.

Also Check Out: Latest NBA News, Rumors and Updates

#3 Isiah Thomas

Portland Trail Blazers v Detroit Pistons

Isiah Thomas was one of Michael Jordan's greatest rivals ever. The two went back and forth in multiple Conference Finals series.

Thomas has always considered a lot of aspects when it comes to calling someone the GOAT. Statistics have been one area that he has preferred to refer to in that regard. Another aspect that he has emphasized is the all-around skills of a player. LeBron James is right up there in both categories.

During the 2020 NBA Finals, Thomas posted a tweet declaring James is the GOAT. Here's the embed of the same:

Expand Tweet

James went on to win the NBA Finals that year, which saw him win his fourth NBA title and fourth NBA Finals MVP award. That convinced several fans and analysts that James is indeed the best of all time.

#2 Allen Iverson

Puerto Rico Senior National Team v USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team

Hall of Famer Allen Iverson is one of the biggest Michael Jordan fans ever. "The Answer" was among the few players that got to play against both Jordan and LeBron James.

During a conversation with rapper Fat Joe on Instagram, Iverson claimed that LeBron James is "the one" despite Jordan being his favorite player. He said:

"As much as I love Michael Jordan, man, LeBron James is the one," Iverson said. "He's the one, man. That motherf----- is the one."

Iverson and James played on several NBA All-Star teams together when the former was still with the Philadelphia 76ers. He also claimed he knew James was going to be special even before he entered the NBA in a separate interview.

#1 Scottie Pippen

Golden State Warriors v Portland Trail Blazers - Game Four

Scottie Pippen was the best teammate Michael Jordan ever had. He was highly important to the Chicago Bulls, winning a hat-trick of championships twice in the 1990s.

Pippen has been asked to weigh in on the LeBron James-Michael Jordan GOAT debate in a plethora of interviews. One such instance was during an episode of ESPN's First Take in 2017.

Surprisingly for many, the Hall of Famer went on to choose James over MJ despite his success playing alongside the latter. Here's what Pippen said when asked how close LeBron is to catching Jordan:

"The numbers don't lie, he is right there. He probably won't catch him in terms of MVP, but in terms of statistics, LeBron is right there and when you look across the board, not just scoring, check his assists, check his rebounds, he is probably ahead of Jordan."

Pippen has applauded LeBron James on many occasions. He even claimed recently that James did not have any help on his Cleveland Cavaliers team that won the historic 2016 NBA title.