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Did Stephen A. Smith just settle the LeBron-MJ NBA GOAT debate? 😯
#LeBron #MJ #MichaelJordan #Lakers ☑️ Subscribe to ESPN+: 📱Get the ESPN App: 🏀 Subscribe to NBA on ESPN on YouTube: ☑️Subscribe to ESPN on YouTube: ☑️Watch ESPN on YouTube TV:
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On First Take, Stephen A. Smith reacts to the Chicago Bulls waiving Jaden Ivey following his anti-gay comments. ✔️ Subscribe to ESPN Unlimited: #ESPN
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On First Take, Stephen A. Smith and Kendrick Perkins join Shae Cornette to decide between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama to win NBA MVP. 0:00 SGA’s MVP thoughts 1:52 Big Perk’s decision 3:16 Stephen A. weighs in 7:33 Joe Mazzulla’s comments 9:28 Agree or disagree? ✔️ Subscribe to ESPN Unlimited: #ESPN #NBA #FirstTake
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@m10n010Bacac
March 5, 2025 at 11:37 am
Relationship advice: never underestimate the power of a well-timed pun✨
@triggatrey2112
March 5, 2025 at 11:40 am
Jordan had the better prime but Lebron had the longer lasting career at that level.
@mikewho1085
March 5, 2025 at 11:44 am
Agree
@LeSteeler
March 5, 2025 at 11:52 am
LeBron had the better peak, prime, and longevity
@LeSteeler
March 5, 2025 at 11:52 am
@@mikewho1085 LeBron had the better peak, prime, and longevity
@timothy2c
March 5, 2025 at 12:08 pm
Wrong. LeBron had the longevity, but MJ had the better peak. Straight bang on ya thang cuz!!
@meh9045
March 5, 2025 at 2:43 pm
Cap Bron’s peak was better
@allfamyankee85
March 5, 2025 at 11:43 am
My definition of the GOAT has shifted after seeing what LeBron has done! No knock to Michael, he sure was great but he is child in front of LeBron longevity and scoring career!
@eduardos1402
March 5, 2025 at 2:50 pm
😂😂😂😂 lebron has played 7 more seasons. Who has te best ppg?
@mikewho1085
March 5, 2025 at 5:37 pm
@@allfamyankee85 agree to a certain extent remember LeBron came in the league @ 18 Jordan was 21 and he left basketball for a yr
@alkebulanlion6198
March 5, 2025 at 10:09 pm
@@mikewho1085bro all polls got mj the goat fam
@ZeydrianDisney
March 5, 2025 at 11:49 am
LeBron James this prime abut him is his greatest
@LeSteeler
March 5, 2025 at 11:52 am
LeBron had the better peak, prime, and longevity than Jordan
@jonathanj.faltot2772
March 5, 2025 at 8:28 pm
What you smoking? Better PEAK?
@CountryRaised
March 5, 2025 at 11:54 am
No one likes to bring up championships. Defend with his longevity. Don’t bring up championships though lol cuz those don’t matter right? 😂
@Geevinch
March 5, 2025 at 12:01 pm
That’s a team accolade, has nothing to do with how good or bad one player is. Tell me Jordan the goat without saying six rings thats the only argument you have. If rings are the case Bill Russell is the goat buddy. Jordan couldnt even go left or use his left hand get off his meat don’t be his left hand 😭
@CountryRaised
March 5, 2025 at 12:23 pm
@ cry much? Lol 😂 get off ur knees. LeSucker
@triggatrey2112
March 5, 2025 at 1:36 pm
@@CountryRaisedI agree that’s why Bill Russel is the GOAT 🤝🏾
@rackball5858
March 5, 2025 at 1:38 pm
@@GeevinchI can make an argument that Jordan is the goat with 0 rings.
@MichaelJ-ci1tm
March 5, 2025 at 3:58 pm
6 finals mvps
What are you talking about
@dsmoove5456
March 5, 2025 at 11:58 am
Jordan spent time being the greatest, but also enjoyed life a little bit more than LeBron has. When you spend your time enjoying life and not taking care of your body, you’re not going to last as long as LeBron. There are so many stories where they talked about Michael Jordan playing golf and having a six pack and then turning around to play a playoff game. And in that playoff game scoring 45. I’m in the camp that believes when you are at your peak that’s how good you are. Lebron James never had a killer instinct thats needed to consider him the greatest.
@S1MONPHOEN1X
March 5, 2025 at 11:58 am
Its an easy debate..LeBron will go down as the best overall Basketball Player of all-time. Jordan was the greatest to ever play. Simple
@studentofthesaviors.o.s
March 5, 2025 at 12:24 pm
Is it possible to have two GOATS? Because I feel as though there will be no one that will hit a peak like Michael Jordan and there’s nobody that will have a sustained peak like LeBron James they are literally the definition of X axis Y axis by what you measure other people
@DoloresVillagomez-x4m
March 5, 2025 at 12:51 pm
I’ll slap that mustache off
@ryanmorrissey6960
March 5, 2025 at 1:28 pm
Lebron needs to peds
@strasburgpoker
March 5, 2025 at 1:40 pm
11 full seasons of being the best vs 20 seasons of being 2nd best. 20 is way more impressive. Plus titles with 3 different franchises.
@michaelvincent7115
March 5, 2025 at 2:36 pm
jordan didn’t choke in the finals like lebron did against Dirk
@strasburgpoker
March 5, 2025 at 3:09 pm
@michaelvincent7115 true. There’s many things that go into this debate, have to take them all into consideration. To some
, 6 for 6 is the end all. But if that’s true, Russell is best with 11.
@jordanc9282
March 5, 2025 at 4:22 pm
You realise basketball is a team game right? A finals series doesnt come down to one player. That Bulls team collectively was one of the best teams of all time.@michaelvincent7115
@jordanc9282
March 5, 2025 at 4:23 pm
It was also a different era in basketball which cant be compared to the current era. Skill and athleticism will always evolve
@darionsmith4108
March 5, 2025 at 1:56 pm
Who cares who the goat is. But we know 1 person who’s not.Goat for sure is you Stephen A Smith
@nossenkanter
March 5, 2025 at 2:18 pm
Nobody said this for Kareem it’s recency bias 🤡 just sucking up to LeBron for future opportunities
@michaelvincent7115
March 5, 2025 at 2:37 pm
Lebron lost to a good but not great Dallas team in the finals. Just sayin
@cloverherreign2825
March 5, 2025 at 5:17 pm
Yeah tht not so Great Dallas team stop Kobe Lakers from three peating foh
@solemagus4761
March 5, 2025 at 5:55 pm
💣 *COPY AND PASTE ME* *FOR BRONSEXUAL USE ONLY*
MJ Vs Lebron Finals Comp Truth* – From BasketballReference 🧾
2014 Spurs
Record: 62-20, Finished 1st in NBA Southwest Division
Coach: Gregg Popovich (62-20)
Executive: R.C. Buford
PTS/G: 105.4 (6th of 30) Opp PTS/G: 97.6 (6th of 30)
SRS: 8.00 (1st of 30) Pace: 95.0 (10th of 30)
Off Rtg: 110.5 (7th of 30) Def Rtg: 102.4 (3rd of 30) Net Rtg: +8.1 (1st of 30)
Expected W-L: 61-21 (1st of 30)
1996 Sonics
Record 64-18, Finished 1st in NBA Pacific Division
Coach: George Karl (64-18)
Executive: Wally Walker
PTS/G: 104.5 (2nd of 29) Opp PTS/G: 96.7 (8th of 29)
SRS: 7.40 (2nd of 29) Pace: 93.8 (3rd of 29)
Off Rtg: 110.3 (8th of 29) Def Rtg: 102.1 (2nd of 29) Net Rtg: +8.2 (2nd of 29)
*Better net rating than Spurs*
Lebron Cramp in 5 Cleveland return
Jordan W in 6
2018 Warriors
PTS/G: 113.5 (1st of 30) Opp PTS/G: 107.5 (18th of 30)
SRS: 5.79 (3rd of 30) Pace: 99.6 (5th of 30)
Off Rtg: 113.6 (3rd of 30) Def Rtg: 107.6 (11th of 30) Net Rtg: +6.0 (3rd of 30)
1993 Suns
62-20, Finished 1st in NBA Pacific Division
Coach: Paul Westphal (62-20)
PTS/G: 113.4 (1st of 27) Opp PTS/G: 106.7 (18th of 27)
SRS: 6.27 (3rd of 27) Pace: 99.8 (4th of 27)
Off Rtg: 113.3 (1st of 27) Def Rtg: 106.7 (9th of 27) Net Rtg: +6.7 (4th of 27)
Pace in 2018 97.3ppg Pace in 1993 96.8ppg
Lebron 🧹 in 4 MJ W in 6 averaging 41ppg
*Suns had higher net rating*
2011 Mavericks
57-25, Finished 2nd in NBA Southwest Division
Coach: Rick Carlisle (57-25)
Executive: Donn Nelson
PTS/G: 100.2 (11th of 30) Opp PTS/G: 96.0 (10th of 30)
SRS: 4.41 (8th of 30) Pace: 91.3 (17th of 30)
Off Rtg: 109.7 (8th of 30) Def Rtg: 105.0 (8th of 30) Net Rtg: +4.6 (8th of 30)
1991 Lakers
58-24, Finished 2nd in NBA Pacific Division
Coach: Mike Dunleavy (58-24)
Executive: Jerry West
PTS/G: 106.3 (13th of 27) Opp PTS/G: 99.6 (2nd of 27)
SRS: 6.73 (3rd of 27) Pace: 94.1 (25th of 27)
Off Rtg: 112.1 (5th of 27) Def Rtg: 105.0 (5th of 27) Net Rtg: +7.1 (3rd of 27)
Pace in 2011 92.1ppg Pace in 91 97.8ppg
Lebron L in 6 – outplayed by Jason Terry
MJ W in 5 avaraging 32 11 and 6
2007 spurs
58-24, Finished 2nd in NBA Southwest Division
Coach: Gregg Popovich (58-24)
Executive: R.C. Buford
PTS/G: 98.5 (14th of 30) Opp PTS/G: 90.1 (1st of 30)
SRS: 8.35 (1st of 30) Pace: 89.8 (27th of 30)
Off Rtg: 109.2 (5th of 30) Def Rtg: 99.9 (2nd of 30) Net Rtg: +9.3 (1st of 30)
1992 Blazers
57-25, Finished 1st in NBA Pacific Division
Coach: Rick Adelman (57-25)
Executive: Bucky Buckwalter
PTS/G: 111.4 (4th of 27) Opp PTS/G: 104.1 (12th of 27)
SRS: 6.94 (2nd of 27) Pace: 99.0 (6th of 27)
Off Rtg: 111.4 (7th of 27) Def Rtg: 104.2 (3rd of 27) Net Rtg: +7.3 (2nd of 27)
Lebron 🧹 shooting .35 .69 and .27 for FG% Free throw and 3pt
Jordan W in 6
1997 and 1998 Jazz
64-18, Finished 1st in NBA Midwest Division
Coach: Jerry Sloan (64-18)
Executive: Scott Layden
PTS/G: 103.1 (2nd of 29) Opp PTS/G: 94.3 (8th of 29)
SRS: 7.97 (2nd of 29) Pace: 90.0 (17th of 29)
Off Rtg: 113.6 (2nd of 29) Def Rtg: 104.0 (9th of 29) Net Rtg: +9.7 (2nd of 29)
62-20, Finished 1st in NBA Midwest Division
Coach: Jerry Sloan (62-20)
Executive: Scott Layden
PTS/G: 101.0 (3rd of 29) Opp PTS/G: 94.4 (13th of 29)
SRS: 5.73 (5th of 29) Pace: 89.2 (21st of 29)
Off Rtg: 112.7 (1st of 29) Def Rtg: 105.4 (17th of 29) Net Rtg: +7.3 (4th of 29)
Miami heat 2020
44-29, Finished 5th in NBA Eastern Conference
Coach: Erik Spoelstra (44-29)
Executive: Pat Riley
PTS/G: 112.0 (15th of 30) Opp PTS/G: 109.1 (10th of 30)
SRS: 2.59 (8th of 30) Pace: 98.3 (27th of 30)
Off Rtg: 112.5 (7th of 30) Def Rtg: 109.5 (11th of 30) Net Rtg: +3.0 (7th of 30)
Jordan back to back W Last Shots – Iconic!!
Lebron Mickey Bubble – hasn’t won since!!
Wilt to 30K 940 games
Jordan 961 games*
Lebron 1107 games to 30K ( 147 more games )
( MJ’s WIZARDS WON THAT GAME WHILE LEBEYONCE HAD A GIMME LOVE CONCERT AND SAT OUT @kobebryant would have finished the game.. )
Jordan playoff Winners 3 Lebron 5
Playoff Games for MJ 179, Lebron 266 ( 86 more games )
Awards and accolades between Lebron and MJ
1 mvp 2 fmvp, 2 rings, 9x scoring titles, 3x steals leader while leading in ppg, 4x1st team all defense ; this difference, would make a top 12 player better than KD
Lebron vs Mj in thePlayoffs;
Total points: 1st MJ: 5th
Ppg 5th Mj 1st
Playoff ppg 6th Mj1st
Scoring titles 6th Mj 1st
Finals mvps 2nd Mj 1st
Defensive first team 5th Mj 1st
PER 3rd Mj 1st
Playoff per 3rd MJ 1st
Winshares 48 min 8th Mj 1st
Playoff win shares 48 3rd Mj 1st
Playoff bpm 3rd Mj 1st
Offensive bpm 2nd Mj 1st
Playoff offensive bpm 2nd Mj 1st
Game score 14th Mj 1st
More Lebron Playoff totals;
Finals loses 1st
Missed shots 1st
Missed 3’s 1st
Turnovers 1st
Finals sweeps: 1st
Finals turnovers 1st
Missed ft’s 3rd
Missed final shots 2nd
Missed finals 3’s 3rd
Missed free throws finals 4th
Most finals series lost 3rd
Worst plus minus finals 6th
Playoff losses 5th
1200 less field goals than Mj Narrative Exposed!!*
FG/FGA Attempts when MJ and Lebron led in made field goals:
Lebron 05’ MP 3388 FG 795 FGA 1684 .472% 80 games
Jordan 87’ MP 3281 FG 1098 FGA 2279 .482 82 games ( 303 More field goals for MJ )
Lebron 08’ MP 3027 FG 794 FGA 1642 .484 75 games
Jordan 88 MP 3311 FG 1069 FGA 1998 . 535 82 games ( 275 more field goals for Mj )
Lebron 11’ MP 3063 FG 758 FGA 1485 .510 79 games
Jordan 89’ MP 3255 FG 966 FGA 1795 .538 81 games ( 208 more field goals for MJ )
Lebron 13’ MP 2877 FG 765 FGA 1354 .565 76 games
Jordan 90’ MP 3197 FG 1034 FGA 1964 .526 82 games ( 269 more field goals for Mj )
Lebron 18’ MP 3036 FG 857 FGA 1580 .542 82 Games
Jordan 91’ MP 3034 FG 990 FGA 1837 .539 82 games ( 133 more field goals for MJ )
Wizards Jordan 03’ MP 3031 FG 679 FGA 1527 .445% 82 games
Laker Lebron 22’ MP 2084 FG 640 FGA 1221 .524 56 games le Load management
Jordan continued leading league in Fg makes;
Jordan 92’ MP 3102 FG 943 FGA 1818 .519 80 games
Jordan 93’ MP 3067 FG 992 FGA 2003 .495 78games
Jordan 96’ MP 3090 FG 916 FGA 1850 .495
Jordan 97’ MP 3106 FG 920 FGA 1892 .486
Jordan 98’ MP 3181 FG 881 FGA 1893 .465
All 82 games
But Yes Bronsexuals LeBrOn Is ThE GrEaTeST
💀💀💀💀😭😭😭😭😭
Lebron’s Greatest Hits; 💽🎥▶️
*6x finals loses
* 22-33 record in finals games
Most finals L’s ever
* Swept 2 NBA Finals
* Shot under 40% in 4 playoff series
* Shot 40% fg in 2 finals series
* Shot for 22ppg, .395fg, .200 3pt, .69 FT% and commited 23 of the Cavs 44 turnovers in 07 Finals while Media and Bronsexuals blamed teammates
* Outscored by Jason Terry in 11 Finals ( Terry Averaged 10 less min of playtime )
* Locked down by JJ Barrea In Iso in 11 Finals
* Averaged 5 Turnovers per game in 2 playoffs series
* Can’t win titles without a super team
* 2 rings in Miami after 9 was Promised
* 0 rings in first 7 Cleveland seasons
* No playoffs 2 years until Mike Brown and Larry Hughes came
* Beat only 1 50 win team from 04-10
* Lost to 36 year old Duncan in 14
* Lost to Magic as the favorite with help from the NBA, Nike and the Refs in 09 with a 60 win team vs a 50 win team
*Lost again as the favorite 60-50 win team vs celtics after being up 2-1 with help from Nike, Refs and NBA never met Kobe cuz he failed
* Combined Averages in game 4, 5, and 6 semis vs Boston in 2010; 18/53 fg .339% 2/13 3pt .153 % 26/35 ft .74 19 turnovers
* Averaged 17 ppg in 11 Finals
* Had scoreless 4th quarters in east finals/ playoffs 2017, 2011, 2021, 2020
* 0-6 game tying or winners in finals
* 1 title in 11 seasons in cleveland
* Shot 4-12 after playoff mode in 2021
* 2022 Lakers had worse record than 01,02 Wizards
* 1st round bounce with number one defense in 21’
* 3-4 vs 60 win teams 10-9 vs 50 win teams
* 3-8 Finals vs Dirk, Duncan KD and Steph
* 6tovers in 07 finals. .356 Fg% .200 3pt
* 8pts game 4 11 finals
* Saved by Ray allen and Kyrie
* 78-196 .397fg% in 15 finals after saying he was the best player in the world
* 113 misses 3rd most in finals history
* 3-17 in final 5 minutes when scores within 5 points
All time Turnover 🐐 Regular Season and Playoffs while having 1 82 game season
* 1st all time missed field goals playoffs
* Back to back Bronze medals in International comp 04 and 06
* Stripped in clutch in back to back western semis, And than Choked in game four with a brick and a block and swept in same series
*Breaking Records, Racking L’s
*” My son Better than NBA Players!! “ ( Sometime Later )…….
“ Leave Bronny aLone now, let him be a kid he’s just a boi from Akron and Clevelumnd.. “
* 2x Broom Back to Back Invitational play in champion
But Lebron’s the Greatest 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Lebron lost as the favorite with 60 win team vs a 50 win team in 09
Cavs 09 Playoffs: LBJ 35ppg M Williams 16ppg
D ( Daddy ) West 13.8ppg Ilguaskas 11ppg
Total ppg of players in double figures: 75.8ppg
Lakers 09 playoffs – Kobe 30ppg Gasol 18ppg Odom 12ppg Ariza 11ppg
Total ppg of Players in double figures; 71ppg
09 Results: cavs lose as the favorite, Lakers Beat Orlando in 5 and claim title
Cavs 10’ LBJ 29ppg, Jamison 15.3ppg, Mo Will 14.4ppg Shaq 11.5
Total ppg of players in double figures 70.2
Lakers 10’ Kobe 29ppg Gasol 19.6ppg Artest 11.2ppg Fisher 10.3ppg
Total ppg of playets in Double figures 70.1
Results;
Lakers again score less as a team than Lebrons Cleveland squads
Lebrons combined averages Vs Boston while he was up 2-1, his averages for game 3 4 and 5;
18/53 .339 FG 🧱, 2/13 3pts .153🧱, – 🤮🤢
(Key missed free throws in clutch situations)
And 19 Turnovers
Lost again as the Favorite while Lakers Beat this Boston team in 7
There was also heavy incentive by Nike, the League and the refs to have a finals with Kobe 2 years in a row and Lebron was the only one that could not hold his end.
This Brickfest “ Way Off the Mark “ – traveler
Was not better than Kobe and you guys wanna compare him to Mike 😅😅
@solemagus4761
March 5, 2025 at 5:55 pm
Lakers are 4th in free throws and 26th in drive attempts😂😂 Lebron is Kia Player of the Month while having a plus over minus of -26 😂😂😂😂 in other news.. Bronny James is getting more coverage than Jokic, Giannis, SGA and Donovan Mitchell 😂😂😂😂
THE NBA IS IN TROUBLE
@mywaygarage
March 5, 2025 at 6:23 pm
Okay SAS, you’re starting to get it, appreciate the fact that you’re even trying. I’ll give that to you. Start giving LeBron his credit and fans will embrace you more 👍
@AnUpgradedYou
March 5, 2025 at 6:28 pm
MJ – 1A.
Lebron -1B
@Andfourtweezy
March 5, 2025 at 7:01 pm
I wanna wear Jordan’s better
@joka5345
March 5, 2025 at 8:49 pm
Shaq best at his prime
@wendellcharles2329
March 5, 2025 at 10:00 pm
MJ is the 🐐
And is only 1 GOAT