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Lakers Hall of Famer Reveals NBA's GOAT Between Michael Jordan, LeBron James


Everybody wants to know who the NBA GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) is, and it seems like lately that talk has centered two players: LeBron James and Michael Jordan.

At least those two are always at the forefront of the heated debate that has raged on for over a decade. Jordan and James are the two modern pantheons of the game and are legends in every aspect.

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They are the two clear GOAT's in the game, and everyone in league circles has seemed to weigh in on the discussion. The latest to do so was NBA and Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson.

In a recent panel at Dodger Stadium during an All Access event, Johnson answered a series of questions before he was asked who he believes is the NBA GOAT. Johnson went with the Chicago Bulls legend in Jordan.

Los Angeles Lakers legends Ervin Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquile O'Neal share a laugh during the unveiling ceremony of a bronze statue to honor Los Angeles Laker and Hall of Fame player Elgin Baylor... Los Angeles Lakers legends Ervin Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquile O'Neal share a laugh during the unveiling ceremony of a bronze statue to honor Los Angeles Laker and Hall of Fame player Elgin Baylor in Star Plaza at Staples Center on April 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. More Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images

"I would have to say Michael," Johnson said. "We haven't seen anybody do the things that Michael could do. And he was physically so gifted at the same time, smart," said Johnson.

The five-time NBA champion didn't stop there. He went on to include James in the discussion, as well as his former teammate and Hall of Famer, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

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"And then I think that we have two other Lakers following him right after that, and that would be LeBron [James] and Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar]," Johnson said.

"But Michael, I would say, and then you got to throw Bill Russell in there because 11 championships, you can't deny that," Johnson stated. "When a man wins that many World Championship rings, he's got to be in the GOAT conversation. No question about it. So, they go back and forth in today's world about Michael and LeBron, and that's okay."

It's somewhat unsurprising that Johnson chose Jordan, considering he played against him and with him, and the two are close friends.

However, Johnson and James have been compared to one another due to their similar abilities on the court, particularly in their passing skills and their ability to enhance their teammates' performance.

Still, while Johnson chose Jordan, he recognizes James as one of the greatest to ever grace the basketball court.

There is no doubt that Jordan and James are two of the greatest ever, and Johnson is not far behind them with his five titles, three MVPs, 10 All-NBA nods, and a member of the 75th NBA Anniversary Team, which he accomplished in only 13 seasons.

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For all the latest NBA news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.

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