The debate rages on between who the basketball GOAT is between Michael Jordan and LeBron James. There are arguments to both sides and with the Los Angeles Lakers superstar still playing, his statistics are continuing to add on. Charles Barkley has played against Jordan and witnessed first-hand James’ rise to the GOAT debate.
LeBron James is in his 22nd season and has been racking up triple doubles quite often. Even when he is not, his playmaking has brought out a different game-manager role. But he can still turn the knob up and go on a rampage when his team needs it.
Those statistics are moving the goal posts further for other players. Before the Lakers game against the Phoenix Suns on Nov 26th, host Ernie Johnson informed his Inside the NBA panel that James was four games away from surpassing Jordan in the list of 30-point games. Hearing this, Charles Barkley opined on the same.
That’s an amazing stat. So, Lebron has played how many more seasons than Michael Jordan and he’s still behind him, that’s crazy. I love LeBron. But for him to be far behind MJ and play probably eight more seasons? Y’all need to stop this.
Charles Barkley on Inside the NBA
Charles Barkley on Lebron being called the GOAT over MJ:
Ernie: “Lebron is 2nd in 30pt games with 559, MJ has 562”
Charles: “Lebron has played how many more seasons than MJ and hes still behind him thats crazy, yall need to stop this”
Lebron is nothing but a stat padding… pic.twitter.com/WWHCaFo2CE
— Thetruth (@Thetruth8240) November 27, 2024
The Hall of Famer usually stays away from the GOAT debate. Considering his nature of work, he usually avoids the argument. But this stat seemed to have ticked him off as it clearly showed him that James was actually far behind Jordan at least in that category despite being on the verge of overtaking him.
Charles Barkley has maintained his GOAT pick
Charles Barkley was once the best friend of Michael Jordan, but now they haven’t spoken to each other in more than a decade. Usually, such beef results in the player changing their opinion. Even Chicago Bulls teammate Scottie Pippen suggested several times that Jordan was not that great.
But many understood that those words came after his ex-wife entered into a relationship with Jordan’s son. But unlike Pippen, Barkley has always maintained that his former close friend was the best player ever.
Time and again he has given LeBron James his flowers for the amazing career he has had so far. But even then, Barkley still thinks Jordan is a cut above James in the GOAT debate. His battles against the Chicago Bulls great gave him a clear understanding of the competitor Jordan was.
On the other hand, the Round Mound of Rebound has also covered the Los Angeles Lakers superstar’s career as an analyst. Based on that knowledge, he has kept his selection intact, even if the 39-year-old keeps toppling stat sheets.
