Former NBA All-Star favors Michael Jordan over LeBron James in the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) debate.
Kenny Anderson commented that LeBron James frequently switched teams, implying inconsistency. He noted that James has often played with top-tier teammates, but Anderson believes James doesn’t match up to Michael Jordan, who, in Anderson’s view, primarily played alongside Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, without many other notable teammates.
Former point guard Kenny Anderson considers Michael Jordan the greatest NBA player of all time, stating that it’s not even close.
Anderson ranks LeBron James third, behind Jordan and the late Kobe Bryant.
“Michael Jordan, period,” Anderson told Mark Jackson on Night Mode. “He was the greatest.”
Jackson concurred.
“We were in uniforms and had no answers,” Jackson remarked. “And we were with some loaded teams.”
When asked about LeBron James, Anderson replied, “I’m not criticizing LeBron; he’s one of the greatest to ever play the game. But hopping around teams, playing with this guy, playing with that guy. Mike never did that. He stayed and got Scottie Pippen, but aside from that, they were good players… But LeBron James?”
When asked about who comes closest to Jordan, Anderson named Bryant as the second in line.
Anderson emphasized that Bryant deserves more recognition for remaining loyal to the Los Angeles Lakers throughout his entire career, unlike James who has moved between teams to compete for championships.
“Kobe stayed with the Lakers for 20 years,” Anderson pointed out. “LeBron, he’s been moving around, playing with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, winning championships, then with Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love.”
James secured two championships with the Miami Heat alongside Bosh and Wade, adding the 2016 NBA title with Irving and Love, and another in the COVID-shortened 2020 season with the Lakers.
