The Oklahoma City Thunder play the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday inside the Paycom Center.
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 38 points in Thursday’s Game 1 but could not prevent Indiana’s comeback, which culminated in a 111-110 loss.
Gilgeous-Alexander, 26, spoke to reporters during a press conference on Saturday and issued a bold statement when asked to name his Greatest (Player) Of All Time (GOAT). He said he has LeBron James and Kobe Bryant in the top two but put Michael Jordan, who many consider the greatest ever to play, in the third spot.
Furthermore, this season's regular season MVP explained that Bryant is one of his favorite players because he influenced young players like himself to develop a strong work ethic. However, his belief landed him in hot water with one of Jordan’s former teammates.
“He never played against (Michael Jordan) for sure,” former Chicago Bulls guard Ron Harper wrote on X in response to Gilgeous-Alexander’s remarks. “I played with both of them.”
Harper, 61, is a five-time NBA champion, winning three championships in Chicago from 1996-98 and two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2000-01. His comment comes after playing alongside Jordan with the Bulls as their starting point guard and then playing with Bryant in Los Angeles.
But before playing with Jordan, Harper faced him when he started his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 1986-90. During his stint in Cleveland, Harper played against Jordan’s Bulls during the 1988 and 1989 Eastern Conference first rounds, and Chicago won both series 3-2.
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
In Game 5 of the 1989 series, Harper’s 22 points were not enough to overcome Jordan’s 44, which ultimately lifted the Bulls to a 101-100 win.
Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder will play the Pacers on Sunday at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.