Former NBA point guard Avery Johnson weighs in on the GOAT debate, choosing Michael Jordan over LeBron James.

The NBA GOAT debate continues, with one-time NBA coach of the year Avery Johnson recently stating his opinion.

Many have Michael Jordan as the GOAT, whereas others have LeBron James. Johnson believes Michael Jordan’s legacy remains unmatched, as he referenced his impressive career averages and numerous accolades.

Michael Jordan’s career statistics, which include 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, are unparalleled in league history.

Furthermore, his six championships, five MVPs, and ten scoring titles make a strong case for his status as the GOAT. As such, coach Avery Johnson doesn’t believe anyone comes close to Jordan.

We can really peel back all of the numbers. You can even go with the eye test, but everybody else is a distant second behind Mike. And there's no disrespect to it.

Avery Johnson via The Mark Jackson Show

LeBron James, often considered Jordan’s closest rival, equally has an impressive resume but falls short in several key categories. Johnson argues that Jordan’s dominance on the court, combined with his ruthless attack and seamless mastery of the mid-range, makes him the more convincing GOAT candidate.

Ultimately, the GOAT debate will likely remain unresolved, with opinions divided between Jordan and James. However, for Johnson and many others, Jordan’s greatness is undeniable. The legacy of the six-time champion will be hard to beat, even by the great LeBron James.

LeBron James is more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan, says veteran

Former NBA superstar Shawn Kemp believes that LeBron James and Michael Jordan shouldn’t be compared in the same conversation. While both are considered among the greatest of all time, Kemp argues that James’s playing style reminds him of Magic Johnson.

I don't think LeBron James should be compared with Michael Jordan either. I think LeBron should be compared with Magic Johnson. Whoever started that sh*t up got it totally wrong. LeBron is not no damn Michael Jordan, Kobe is more Michael Jordan.

Shawn Kemp via Showtime

Furthermore, like Magic Johnson, James uses his intelligence and vision to dominate the game, setting up shots and making plays for himself and his teammates.

Kemp also points out that King James’ career averages demonstrate his versatility and ability to excel at every position.

In contrast, Kemp believes that the late Kobe Bryant is the player most similar to Michael Jordan. Bryant had a dominant and physical playing style that intimidated opponents.

The analysis from Kemp remains a rather unique one. No one has ever made such comparisons. As such, it will likely spark more debates in the NBA community.