A pretty staple debate in all of sports, especially in the NBA, revolves around deciding the greatest player of all-time. The conversation, especially in the NBA, has gone on for decades. But in recent years, especially after LeBron James’ 4th ring, the conversation has only intensified. The media indulges in so much Michael Jordan or LeBron conversation, it’s frankly gotten a little tedious.
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The running joke is that broadcasters often revert to the GOAT discussion to fill the air time on a lazy news day. But apart from the joke, there is seemingly nothing entertaining about this. The fans hate it, current players avoid it, and it seems the legends dislike this discussion too.
Charles Barkley, while talking to Ernie Johnson on their Steam Room podcast, also confessed how tired he is of the media continuously debating MJ vs Bron.
Barkley and Ernie Johnson got on to the topic after speaking about the recent retirement of WNBA legend Diana Taurasi. While both men gave Taurasi her flowers for an incredible 20-year career, they were very irritated by the exhausting “GOAT conversation” surrounding her retirement.
Ernie pleaded with listeners to “just appreciate” the game and the legends who have graced the court of the NBA. Chuck took it one step further.
The 11-time All-Star claimed that the only reason the debate keeps popping up is because of the multitude of podcasters and radio show hosts who need “clicks” to survive.
“Guys on television and radio who have no talent. They wanna get clicks from these fools on the internet and call-in radio shows. It’s just stupid. I said that about the Michael/LeBron thing. People who have no talent argue that. The public, they’re stupid [to listen to it],” Barkley passionately stated.
This isn’t the first time that Chuck has ranted about his dislike for the GOAT conversation. He has constantly held a stance that the conversation is “weak journalism,” and that the NBA has evolved so much since Jordan’s era that it’s a waste of time to keep arguing the matter.
The “guys on television and radio with no talent” are never specifically named, but those could be shots at Stephen A. Smith or now retired FS1 host Skip Bayless. That being said, Chuck did indulge in the debate at least once.
Barkley once broke down some important stats between Michael Jordan and LeBron James
Barkley did more than just shake his head at the Jordan vs. LeBron GOAT talk. In a December 2024 episode of the Steam Room, he broke down a key stat between the two “faces of the league,” one that he believes shows some favorability toward MJ.
“Michael Jordan’s the best basketball player I ever played against,” Barkley began. “I was caught off-guard last week when Ernie said [James was just a few games behind Jordan in 30-point scoring games], and I was like, ‘And he’s played, like, seven more years?’ That’s an astonishing stat.”
“As great as LeBron is, he’s still behind Michael Jordan in 30-point games, and he’s played seven more seasons. That is astonishing. Even if you think LeBron is the GOAT, you wouldn’t have known that. And I’m never gonna say anything bad about LeBron, ’cause he’s an amazing man and a hell of a player.'”
