The never-ending debate over who deserves the NBA's "Greatest of All Time" (GOAT) title, Michael Jordan or LeBron James, has resurfaced with new intensity, thanks to Tim Hardaway.
Hardaway's GOAT ranking shakes up NBA fandom
The Golden State Warriors legend recently weighed in on the controversy, igniting a fierce reaction from fans on both sides.
Appearing on The Mark Jackson Show, Hardaway emphatically declared Michael Jordan as his definitive GOAT.
"Michael Jordan is the GOAT no question. He's been there six times and refused to lose six times. He didn't take days off,"Hardaway said.
"Load management? Hahaha. Michael said, 'I'm gon bust your a-s in practice and then I'm gon go out there and bust your a-s in the game.'"
Hardaway, a five-time NBA All-Star known for his time with the "Run TMC" trio, acknowledged LeBron's greatness but stood firm on his stance.
"No disrespect to LeBron and out-of-sight, out-of-mind Kobe Bryant. To me, 1 and 1A-1 is Michael Jordan, 1A is Kobe, point blank."
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Jordan's ers point to his unblemished 6-0 record in the NBA Finals and his relentless drive, which led to six Finals MVPs and ten scoring titles.
His durability over 15 seasons, including eight where he played all 82 games, further cements his legacy.
LeBron fans, however, argue that his versatility, longevity, and statistical dominance make him the superior player.
The four-time NBA champion and all-time leading scorer can play multiple positions and has consistently delivered across 22 seasons.
His 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game are testaments to his all-around excellence.
Critics labeled Jordan's perfectionism "rest-assisted" due to his mid-career breaks, while others defended LeBron's ability to guard all five positions.
Yet, some fans backed Hardaway, agreeing that Jordan's competitive edge remains unmatched.
Whether one stands with Team MJ or Team LeBron, Hardaway's bold take proves one thing: the GOAT debate will remain a hot topic in basketball circles for years to come.