Stephen A. Smith is one of the most notable NBA analysts with an experience of over 25 years. Smith is famous for his takes and backing them with facts. One of the things that the ESPN’s First Take host has been religiously adamant about is his GOAT pick. Despite multiple analysts coming to the show and challenging Smith, he has said that he will always pick Michael Jordan over LeBron James. After the Los Angeles Lakers were swept by the Denver Nuggets last season, Smith couldn’t find a better opportunity to prove his point.
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The GOAT debate is a never-ending tale of the sports world. Fans and sports analysts, from one generation to another have been involved in this circle for as long as the sport has existed. When it comes to NBA, LeBron vs. Jordan has been a debate, which attracts everyone’s attention. Every offseason, when NBA games end, the debate of GOAT starts. Smith, after LeBron’s season ended gave a headstart to the debate once again. Among the various points he brought up against James was the sweep by the Nuggets.
Stephen Smith weights on LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan GOAT debate
Throwing pebbles in the still water, Smith started to put points in Jordan’s favor with the stat sheet and personal achievements. Facts like Michael won 10 scoring titles against LeBron’s 1, nine-time All-NBA Defense Team against LeBron’s five. He also brought up the point that MJ won a Defensive Player of the Year award, which LBJ has never won.
Again, one of the factors that MJ’s supporters usually bring is undefeated Finals appearances. He is 6-0 in the Finals against LeBron’s 4-6. Here is what Smith said;
“During the LeBron James era, there were debates as to whether or not he was the best in the world…when Michael Jordan was playing there was never a debate ever as to who was the best in the world…even with Larry Bird or Magic Johnson winning the championship, it was clear that Michael Jordan was the best player in the world. Larry Bird called him(Michael Jordan) God.”
The GOAT debate might never end, and just the players involved in the debate change over time. With time, the style of plays change, the teams develop, and so did the point of view as well. Both LeBron and Jordan played in two different eras of the NBA, so we will not be able to find what would have happened if they faced together.
Smith might think he has put the final nail in the coffin, but he should also consider that LeBron is still playing and continues to write history.
Jordan vs. LeBron total postseason sweep comparison
Michael has never been swept in a seven-game series in his entire career. However, he has been swept twice in a five-game series, and that too in back-to-back seasons. From 1983 until 2003, the first round of the playoffs used to be best of five until they changed to best of seven.
LeBron, on the other hand, has been swept three times in the postseason. The first two times he was swept were in the 2007 and 2018 NBA Finals by the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors, respectively. In 2023, in the WCF, it was the third time the King was swept in a playoff series. However, unlike Jordan, the Lakers star is still writing the pages of his legacy.
