Michael Jordan's Rival Isiah Thomas Believes LeBron James is the Undisputed NBA GOAT (2024)

Isiah Thomas reignites the GOAT debate, claiming LeBron James surpasses Michael Jordan in dominance and statistics.

LeBron James and Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan and LeBron James are the two NBA greats who are usually at the heart of the ongoing discussion about who is the true greatest basketball player of all time (GOAT). Both players have major fan bases that believe they are the greatest players to have ever played the game, and their legacies have had a long-lasting effect on the sport.

Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas recently fueled this debate by publicly stating that he believes LeBron James is better than Jordan in mostly positive ways. In an interview with Bleacher Report, Thomas made it clear that his assessment of James’ past is based on data, not personal preferences. James has become a leader in many statistical groups, has broken myths, and has set new standards for excellence.

"I think when you look at it, [LeBron James] touched and leads in almost every statistical category," Thomas said. "He’s passed Kareem in scoring. I think he’s got the most playoff points. Not only that, when you look at the assist column, I know where I stand on the assist record. I think he’s passed me; I think he’s passed Magic [Johnson] on the assist record."

LeBron's rise to the top of the NBA's statistical leaderboards is remarkable, especially considering that he plays more versatile play than just scoring. James is well known for his ability to contribute in almost every aspect of the game, unlike many of the NBA's greats. He is not only a dangerous scorer but also one of the best playmakers in the game thanks to his superb court vision, passing skills, and basketball IQ. According to Thomas, James' versatility and all-around skill set him apart from other NBA greats.

“There’s never been another player like him,” Thomas continued. “Now, everyone has their favorites, but if the numbers don’t lie, the numbers don’t lie. And he definitely passes the eye test. So to me, he’s the best that I’ve ever seen from a team standpoint and also as a basketball player.”

Thomas's declaration that LeBron James is the best player of all time should come as no surprise to those familiar with his illustrious rivalry with Michael Jordan. There has been animosity between Jordan's Chicago Bulls and Thomas' Detroit Pistons, known as the "Bad Boys," for decades, ever since their legendary games in the late 1980s. Given this background, many have questioned if Thomas's support for LeBron James is solely driven by his loathing of Jordan.

The Pistons' refusal to shake hands following their defeat to the Bulls in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals escalated their animosity off the court into a personal conflict between Jordan and Thomas. This egregious display of sportsmanship cemented the thirty-plus-year enmity between the two athletes. Additionally, Thomas still recalls being rejected from the 1992 U.S. Olympic "Dream Team," an exclusion from which Jordan is believed to have had a significant role.

In light of this, some critics argue that Thomas's backing of James may be more an attempt to make peace with Jordan than a judgment on James's merits. However, Thomas was quick to clarify that his respect for James is unrelated to any personal problems. He emphasized that LeBron's accomplishments on the floor speak for themselves.

The real story, Thomas says, isn’t against Jordan, but James redefining what it means to be a great athlete. Because of his longevity and career, he’s been able to play in the majors longer than almost any player in history.

James’ fans often cite his versatility and ability to impact every aspect of the game as a reason to rank him above Jordan. LeBron’s all-around expertise brings a new perspective to the “GOAT” debate, while Michael Jordan is known for his performance, fierce competition, and relentless pursuit of victory. He has the advantage over people who are more efficient and flexible than others because he can do it all, get multiple jobs done, and help out friends.

However, a lot of fans of Jordan contend that he is unique due to his six NBA titles—two of which he won three times—and his undefeated record (6-0) in the Finals. Many fans think that Jordan's dominance in the 1990s, his killer instinct, and his capacity to perform well under duress in pivotal times cannot be surpassed. Jordan's influence on the game went beyond the court as he rose to fame and contributed to the globalization of the sport.

After all, the debates surrounding the Game of the Year remain as deep and nuanced as ever. There’s no doubt that LeBron’s current dominance and Jordan’s past achievements have had a lasting impact on the game. As long as someone like Isiah Thomas is involved, there will be debates about who the greatest basketball player of all time is. That should keep analysts and supporters interested.

Also Read:Michael Jordan Once Admitted That He Comes Second to THIS Player: ‘I’m Number 2, He’s 1’