Legendary boxer Mike Tyson has weighed in on the ongoing debate regarding the NBA’s greatest player of all time: Michael Jordan or LeBron James?
During his appearance on “The Big Podcast with Shaq,” Tyson was asked to pick between James and Jordan.
“I’m a Jordan guy,” he said without hesitation.
When asked about the G.O.A.T. of boxing, Tyson said, “Me.”
The 59-year-old justified his reasoning.
“I’m not being egotistical, okay? They said they know if you put up the statistics or something. Ask the world,” Tyson declared.
MJ versus LeBron Debate
The never-ending debate intensified in the 2016 NBA Finals when James helped the Cleveland Cavaliers overcome a 3-1 series deficit against the Golden State Warriors, securing his hometown franchise its first major sports title in 52 years. Four years later, James added another tremendous accolade to his resume by becoming the first player to win Finals MVP with three different teams when he guided the Los Angeles Lakers to the championship in the Orlando Bubble, bringing them their 17th franchise title.
Yet, the Jordan loyalists have continued to make a case for the retired Chicago Bulls star as the greatest pro basketball player in history. Phil Jackson, who coached Jordan to six NBA titles, is among those who oppose the idea of James as the G.O.A.T.
“Better is only about championships, I think that’s the only measurement that’s left for LeBron that’ll say he was a better ball player than Michael,” Jackson said back in 2013 when asked about the James versus Jordan debate. “And people are going to argue it is the number of championships you win and that’s proof of the pudding right there.”
Michael Jordan Voted G.O.A.T
Popular sports website Bleacher Report also ranked Jordan above James in their top-100 players of all-time list published on July 14, 2025. However, the website noted that many of its staff members voted for James, and that the final voting tally was close.
“From a cultural standpoint, nobody ever meant more to basketball than MJ. From his signature shoe, to becoming the sport’s most elite competitor, Jordan established a blueprint for the NBA superstars who followed him.
“Virtually every alpha in the modern era pulled something from Jordan. Kobe Bryant cribbed MJ’s work ethic and on-court demeanor. LeBron James borrowed the image cultivation and marketing savvy.
“As for B/R’s No. 1 all-time spot, there’s an argument for James and his superior scoring efficiency, passing and longevity. After all, LeBron nearly grabbed the top spot in our rankings. But MJ never lost on the biggest stage, and he felt pretty close to god-like in his prime.”
Many analysts believe James can close the gap on Jordan if he can secure his fifth NBA championship. The Los Angeles Lakers star will get another opportunity to do so in the 2025-26 season, when he pairs up with Luka Doncic, Marcus Smart, Austin Reaves, DeAndre Ayton, and Co., on a loaded roster full of veterans and proven players.
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