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Cheryl Miller, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, recently weighed in on the ongoing GOAT debate and placed LeBron James ahead of both Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. During her appearance on the All The Smoke podcast, Miller made her stance clear, citing LeBron’s unparalleled athleticism, longevity, and sustained excellence as the primary reasons for ranking him above Jordan and Bryant. 

“No one knows where I live, that's good... I gotta go MJ, LeBron, and then Kobe. When you look at LeBron, in my opinion, he is the greatest phenomenal specimen of an athlete."

"I don’t know if we’ll ever see a physical marvel of someone of his magnitude… You gotta take that and then longevity… Okay, LeBron, MJ, Kobe… I just got from longevity and he is still ballin’.”

Miller’s argument is reinforced by LeBron James’ remarkable performance in his 22nd NBA season. At age 40, LeBron continues to defy Father Time, averaging 25.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game while shooting 51.7% from the field and 38.4% from three-point range. 

His production is not just impressive for an aging superstar—it’s historic. No player in NBA history has maintained this level of dominance so late into their career. The Los Angeles Lakers currently sit at 40-25, a testament to LeBron’s continued impact and leadership.

Cheryl Miller’s endorsement of LeBron carries weight due to her own legendary status in basketball history. Widely regarded as one of the greatest female players of all time, Miller revolutionized the sport during her playing career. 

As a star at the University of Southern California (USC), she led the Trojans to two NCAA championships (1983, 1984) and was named Most Outstanding Player in both tournaments. She was a four-time All-American and won the Naismith College Player of the Year award three times (1984, 1985, 1986), a feat unmatched in women’s college basketball history.

Beyond her college dominance, Miller holds one of the most jaw-dropping records in basketball history. In 1982, she scored an astonishing 105 points in a single high school game, a mark that still stands as one of the most unbreakable records in basketball. 

Her scoring outburst was so unprecedented that it overshadowed even her younger brother, Reggie Miller, who would go on to become an NBA Hall of Famer. The feat remains one of the greatest single-game performances in basketball history, solidifying her legacy as a generational talent.

Miller’s dominance extended beyond college, as she helped lead Team USA to a gold medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Unfortunately, injuries cut her playing career short, but she transitioned into coaching and broadcasting, further cementing her place in basketball lore. Her influence on the game is undeniable—her impact on women’s basketball is often compared to Michael Jordan’s influence on the NBA.

For Miller to put LeBron above Jordan and Kobe speaks volumes, as she played in an era where Jordan was the gold standard. While she acknowledges Jordan’s greatness, her ranking highlights the importance of LeBron’s longevity and all-around dominance. 

Unlike Jordan and Kobe, who had notable peaks but shorter careers, LeBron has remained elite for over two decades, adapting his game and continuing to excel at the highest level.

The GOAT debate will always be subjective, but when an all-time great like Cheryl Miller speaks, people listen. With LeBron still playing at an MVP level at age 40, her argument is gaining more traction. The King’s reign is far from over, and his case as the greatest of all time continues to grow stronger with each passing season.

This article first appeared on Fadeaway World and was syndicated with permission.

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