The results of a new poll conducted anonymously among active NBA players show that Michael Jordan is still regarded as the greatest player in the sports history — no doubt a byproduct of his six championship wins with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s, as well as his five MVP awards and career scoring average north of 30 points per game. However, as Jordan’s playing career fades further from memory for a new generation of players and fans, a new contender for “GOAT” status is emerging.
LeBron James has polled just behind Jordan in The Athletic’s survey of more than 100 current players, and the margin to MJ is getting smaller and smaller as general recognition of James’ accomplishments grows — especially as the King’s pro career does not have very many years left in it.
Is LeBron’s legacy secured?
The Athletic polled 133 NBA players for a new, wide-ranging feature, wherein 46 percent of respondents identified Jordan as the Association’s GOATed player. But James has steadily gained on Jordan in this particular poll — and at 42.1 percent, the gap between the King and His Airness could be reduced even further the next time that players are asked about their GOAT preference.
James last season surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and is the only player in league history to score at least 40,000 points in the regular season. He is a four-time NBA champion and continues to perform at a high level even in his age-39 season — his 21st campaign since entering the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003. He has been an elite player for so long, and done so much for the NBA, that it would not be a surprise at all to see James top this poll next time.
Of course, James would love nothing more than to add another championship to his collection and end all debate about his legacy, but his Los Angeles Lakers are facing an uphill battle in the Western Conference playoffs. The Lakers are behind 1-0 to the Denver Nuggets in their best-of-seven first round series, with James expressing frustration with his teammates following Saturday’s 114-103 loss at Ball Arena. However, seeing as James is the active leader in playoff scoring, a rally Monday night cannot be ruled out as Los Angeles seeks to send the series back to southern California knotted up at a game apiece.
