Michael Jordan and LeBron James have always ruled the NBA GOAT debate. NFL legend Deion Sanders made his choice between the two icons. While Jordan won six championships for the Chicago Bulls, James has led the Los Angeles Lakers to four NBA titles. They have multiple franchise and league records on their name.
Let’s look at who the two-time Super Bowl champion thinks is the greatest of all time to step on an NBA court.
Deion Sanders Picks His NBA GOAT ft. Michael Jordan and LeBron James
Sanders appeared on the Dan Patrick Show on Friday and revealed the star he thinks sits at the top in the NBA. Upon arrival on the show, discussing Sanders’ outfit led to the Colorado Buffaloes coach discussing the two NBA legends.
But it doesn’t mean Sanders has no respect for King James. Dan Patrick asked him if there was nothing LeBron could do to surpass the former Bulls star.
“I’m not going to put another brother down by lifting another. I’m not doing that. We don’t do that. Both of these guys are black excellence to me. Both of these guys are on different mountains and reached their pinnacles differently. But, certainly, they have reached. We could compare everybody to them but not them against one another. I’m not doing that,” Sanders said.
Jordan was the third overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft, while James was the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. Jordan played in the league for 15 years and won six rings. He was named the NBA MVP five times and earned an All-Star honor 14 times. The NBA MVP trophy was named after him in 2022. He also has won two Olympic Gold Medals for Team USA.
James is currently playing his 22nd season in the NBA. He clinched two NBA titles with the Miami Heat and one-a-piece with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the LA Lakers. The Ohio native is a four-time NBA Finals and NBA MVP. He has been named an NBA All-Star 21 times. He has won three gold medals and one bronze medal as a member of Team USA at the Olympic games.
The Lakers legend continues to surpass multiple records set by Jordan at 40. His longevity and consistency are continuously challenging Jordan for the throne. Fans can argue all they want, but these two generational athletes have taken basketball to a different level.