College Football Hall of Fame quarterback Michael Vick believes that the NBA GOAT debate between six-time champion Chicago Bulls shooting guard Michael Jordan and four-time champion Los Angeles Lakers power forward LeBron James deserves to be opened up to a third Hall of Fame superstar.
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In a conversation with longtime league insider Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson, the four-time Pro Bowl signal caller suggested that 18-time All-Star and five-time champion Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant should be elevated into the conversation.
“I just hate the fact that—and this where it’ll never get old—because you gotta add Kobe into that mix,” Vick said. “So it should be: Kobe, LeBron and MJ. So it’ll never be old because you’re looking at two of the greatest players of all time.”
Unpacking the all-time NBA greats
Vick, both an elite running and passing quarterback in his day, explained why the debate about James, Jordan, and perhaps Bryant never gets old for him.
"I enjoy that topic on so many levels,” Vick stated. “Whether I’m arguing with a 15-year old kid or I’m watching two 15-year olds argue or if watching two 26-year olds argue about this topic.”
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Jordan is one of the few players to ever be named an MVP (his first of five) and a Defensive Player of the Year in the same season (1987-88), and led the Bulls to one of the most dominant runs in NBA history, winning three straight titles twice between the 1990-91 and 1997-98 seasons. He's still, even now, the most prolific scorer — by average — ever.
James, meanwhile, is the longest-lasting NBA player yet. The four-time league MVP has led his teams to 10 NBA Finals, including eight straight, and stands as one of the most dominant forces in the history of the league. Jordan may have enjoyed the higher peak, but James might just have the best career ever.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Russell are often floated as the other two top candidates for all-time GOAT status, although stars like Bryant, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Tim Duncan, Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O'Neal, and Oscar Robertson number among the other generally-agreed upon historic elites.
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