Dominique Wilkins Opens Up About Michael Jordan, LeBron James GOAT Debate

During an interview with Kyle Odegard of Esports Insider, Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins opened up about the GOAT debate between Michael Jordan and LeBron James. 

“I don’t believe in the GOAT and all that stuff,” Wilkins said. “How can you say a guy is the greatest of all-time when they haven’t played against some of the guys that were the greatest of their era? Like a Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell.

“But I will say this: Michael Jordan made six Finals and won six championships with the same team. And he won three championships after retiring to play another sport. Nothing like that has ever been done before. MJ did some things that no one will ever do. So if I’m going with the best player to ever play, that’s where my mindset sits. I’m going with Michael. That’s no disrespect to anybody, but I’m looking at what he accomplished in a short period of time.”

Jordan won six championships with the Chicago Bulls in the ’90s while going 6-0 in the NBA Finals. The Bulls three-peated twice during the Jordan era. 

Meanwhile, James is a four-time champion. He won two rings with the Miami Heat, one with the Cleveland Cavaliers and one with the Los Angeles Lakers. The King is 4-6 in the NBA Finals.  

Jordan won five MVPs, 10 scoring titles, one Defensive Player of the Year Award and six Finals MVPs with the Bulls, while James is a four-time MVP and a four-time Finals MVP. 

Jordan is first in NBA history in points per game in the regular season and postseason. He also holds the record for most points scored (63) in a postseason game. The sports icon averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 1,072 games with the Bulls and Washington Wizards. 

James, who grew up idolizing Jordan, is first in NBA history in points. He’s the only player to rank top five all-time in points and assists. The future Hall of Famer has career averages of 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists with the Cavaliers, Heat and Lakers.