Stephen A. Smith has once again stepped into the NBA’s endless GOAT debate, and this time his stance could not be clearer. The ESPN analyst crowned Michael Jordan as the greatest player in basketball history while explaining why he does not place LeBron James at the top of that list.
Speaking on his podcast, The Stephen A. Smith Show, Smith addressed the debate head-on and made it clear he believes Jordan still holds the crown. According to him, the Chicago Bulls legend stands alone in the conversation, even though he still holds immense respect for LeBron’s career.
“Now, he’s not going to tell you he’s the GOAT. I’m going to tell you he is. I’m going to tell you it damn sure ain’t LeBron, but I’m also going to tell you that’s not a disrespect to LeBron,” Smith said on his show. Smith’s comment instantly reignited a debate that has followed basketball for years.
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Smith Means No Disrespect To LeBron James
In his view, simply appearing in the GOAT conversation already places a player among the sport’s most elite figures. That status alone proves the level of respect commanded by LeBron James. Smith emphasized that recognizing Jordan as the greatest does not diminish the achievements of the Los Angeles Lakers superstar.
Instead, it reflects the reality that only a small group of players ever reach the level where their legacy is measured against the very best in history. “So we have to remember that LeBron is one of the top,” Smith said. “I got LeBron as number two all-time in the history of basketball. I got KD top 10 all-time in the history of basketball. He’s that great.”
Smith also extended that praise to several other modern legends. He placed Kevin Durant firmly within the top 10 players ever and called Stephen Curry “the greatest shooter God has ever created.” His argument centered on the idea that greatness in basketball can be celebrated without requiring every fan to agree on the same No. 1.
Debates like these, Smith argued, are part of what keeps basketball exciting. Removing them entirely would strip away the conversation and passion that drive fan engagement. Imagine a television host appearing on air and simply declaring both Jordan and LeBron as equally great without discussion. The show would essentially end in seconds because there would be nothing left to analyze. The intrigue that fuels sports media and fan debates would disappear instantly.
Those discussions, Smith suggested, keep the sport alive beyond the court. While Smith remains firm in his belief that Michael Jordan deserves the title of the greatest player ever, Jordan himself has taken a far more relaxed approach to the debate.
Published: Mar 11, 2026 12:15 pm