LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
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LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 24, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
When it comes to the question of who is the greatest basketball player of all time, or GOAT if you will, Los Angeles Lakers star forward LeBron James has frequently been mentioned alongside Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan and several other of the game’s greats.
During a recent interview with Time magazine, James was asked to weigh in on the debate himself, and he provided an expected answer.
LeBron James is Taking Himself in the GOAT Debate
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GettyLeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to making a shot during the first half of Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
Unsurprisingly, James selected himself as the game’s GOAT, though he contended that any other elite competitor in the same position would also pick themselves, which is probably true. After all, it’s tough to imagine Jordan admitting that anyone was truly better than him.
“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,” James said.
“I don’t think none of us are going to take somebody else. If there’s a general manager and he’s eyeballing all of us on a baseline, with the No. 1 pick, it’s gonna be hard not to take me, champ.”
James is obviously entitled to his opinion, and there would be millions of others out there who would agree with him. Given the success that he’s enjoyed combined with the impact that he’s had on the game, he absolutely has a case as the greatest of all time.
This story will be updated.