LeBron James Makes Strong Case for Why He’s the Greatest Player Ever

The GOAT debate is basketball’s version of a never-ending group chat. No matter how many records fall or championships get counted, we always find our way back to the same question: Michael Jordan or LeBron James? Every generation has an answer. Every fanbase has a defense ready to go.

The funny part is, James has never really needed to campaign for himself. The numbers do all the talking. Yet as the Los Angeles Lakers star continues stacking achievements deep into his 23rd NBA season, the conversation keeps circling back to him. On June 9, a new TIME feature gave James another chance to weigh in on the debate, and he dropped his two cents on where he stands.

While acknowledging legends such as MJ, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Shaquille O’Neal, Wilt Chamberlain, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James said he’d never pick another player over himself. He also argued that a general manager holding the No. 1 overall pick would have a difficult time passing on his combo. 

“I’m not taking nobody over me. There’s no question. But I think Mike will say the same thing. Rest his soul, Kobe will say the same thing. Magic will say the same thing. Bird will say the same thing. Shaq could say the same thing. The late great Wilt. Kareem. I don’t think none of us are going to take somebody else. …”