The debate of who is the greatest player in NBA history rages on, and it is one that won’t be resolved anytime soon. Perhaps there isn’t even a fully objective answer.
Many still believe Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player ever, even 20 years after he retired. But right after Jordan’s retirement, LeBron James entered the league, and he has, in the minds of plenty, been building a strong argument that he is actually the greatest ever.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith seems to be a fan of James, but he strongly believes the four-time MVP isn’t the greatest ever. He has made that opinion clear numerous times on the air, particularly after some of James’ more disappointing performances.
While on Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George’s podcast, Smith recalled the time he told Rich Paul, James’ agent, that James is only the second-greatest of all time behind Jordan. He said Paul didn’t take it well (h/t Lakers Daily).
“I got him as the second-best player in the history of basketball,” Smith said of James. “I got him ahead of Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar]. I got him behind no one but Jordan. … I said, ‘You act like that’s an insult.’ This dude, ‘It is an insult.’ I said, ‘Get the [expletive] out of my face.’”
It appears that James himself believes he’s the greatest player in basketball history. However, due mostly to his poor 4-6 record in the NBA Finals, he will likely have to boost his resume to get the recognition he feels he’s entitled to.
