Knicks Legend Makes Controversial LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan Statement

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The LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan debate is one that has been ongoing for several years. As the 39-year-old James continues to add to his historic list of accomplishments, his case for the greatest basketball player of all-time strengthens.
While there are some who believe James cannot do anything in the remainder of his career to match Jordan's greatness, others believe he surpassed the Chicago Bulls legend years ago.
Winning MVP at the 2024 Paris Olympics en route to a gold medal for Team USA, James added another achievement that some have been using for his GOAT case. If there is one thing the Los Angeles Lakers star has over every player in basketball history, it is longevity.
An award fit for a King. 👑#Paris2024 #Basketball MVP @KingJames
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 10, 2024
🇺🇸 #USABMNT pic.twitter.com/x9KMhxeQSC
At age 39, James continues to show he is far from slowing down. Does this longevity strengthen his GOAT case? New York Knicks legend Stephon Marbury does not believe so.
In a post on X, the three-time NBA All-Star wrote that James, "Shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same breath as MJ."
Shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same breath as MJ. https://t.co/Dxk5wGHADS
— I AM PEACE STAR (@StarburyMarbury) August 13, 2024
Jordan played 15 NBA seasons, winning six championships and Finals MVP awards. All of these came with the Bulls, which is another argument Jordan supporters use for his GOAT case.
This debate is one that has persisted for years and will likely persist forever. What makes the debate so interesting, is that many people feel it is not close one way or another, as Marbury made clear with his post.
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Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.