The eternal debate about the NBA’s GOAT has found a new argument for those who crown LeBron James as the best basketball player of all time over Michael Jordan and the late Kobe Bryant.

In the last two decades, the legendary Michael Jordan headed that honour in the preferences of a majority of fans and analysts because of his breakthrough in the NBA on a media level, his undisputed talent for doing things that until then had not been seen on the court, his impact on world basketball and, of course, his six championships won with the Chicago Bulls.

Of course, in terms of achievements, we should also include the legendary Bill Russell, who won 11 NBA championship rings with the Boston Celtics in 13 years. And also another monster of world basketball, Wilt Chamberlain, who still holds the record for the most points scored in a game (100 points) and dozens of records that will never be broken. Those were different times.

The legacy of the late Kobe Bryant

Also among the candidates is Kobe Bryant, winner of five championship rings and possibly the player most similar in his game to Michael Jordan. His tragic loss in a helicopter crash in 2020 added to the legendary aura of a unique player.

However, this season many have once again highlighted the rivalry between two giants such as Michael Jordan and LeBron James, the second or third in discord depending on how you look at it. The Akron colossus has won four championship rings, is the leading scorer in NBA history (40,446 points) and has achieved countless accomplishments, but perhaps the one that is currently pushing him most towards the podium is his longevity.

King James is in his 21st season in the NBA. And at 39 years old, at an age that the few athletes who reach that age in active sports are already in their twilight years, if not dragging, the Lakers star continues to offer a superlative performance.

LeBron has better averages than Jordan at 39 years of age

It is at this point where, objectively, he surpasses his greatest competitor, Michael Jordan. In the regular season that has just ended, James has averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists with more than remarkable percentages (54% from the field, 41% in three-pointers and 75% in free throws).

At his age, 39 years old, Michael Jordan averaged just under 20 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists with the Washington Wizards, with percentages of 45% ct, 29% t3 and 82% tl).

LeBron’s decline, if it can be called that, is statistically more splendid than that of ‘Air’ Jordan. A light that, by his statements and his intention to be able to share at least one year team and locker room with his son Bronny James, seems far from going out for now, fueling a debate that a born competitor like him is reluctant to lose.