Doc Rivers gave his reasoning as to why he believes LeBron James is the GOAT over Michael Jordan in a recently unearthed interview.
Advertisement
A 13-year NBA veteran in the 80s and 90s, Doc is one of those people who’ve seen MJ and LeBron both in their full glory from up close. Rivers was on the losing side against MJ and his Bulls in the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals. He knows just how powerless team felt against His Airness.
Rivers has also been a coach in the NBA from before the time LeBron James was drafted. The 59-year-old first coached Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill with the Magic. He then was hired by the Boston Celtics in 2004, a team whom he coached for 9 seasons.
Rivers has lost to LeBron in the playoffs twice, while also having beaten him twice as a coach. He knows what it takes to get past the GOAT candidate.
Doc Rivers says LeBron James had the burden of Michael Jordan since Day 1
Doc Rivers simplified LeBron James and Michael Jordan debates. “Look at Michael,” said Rivers.
“It took him 7 years to win an NBA title. It’s because he didn’t trust the system, he wanted to dominate it himself. He didn’t get the importance of using his teammates and using everyone else but, no one criticized Michael back then.”
“The difference between Michael and LeBron – when Michael came in the league, he surprised everybody on how great he was. When LeBron came in the league they expected him to be great so it was already on him. Michael in some ways, we allowed him to grow into greatness.”
“We didn’t allow LeBron that and he STILL overachieved. LeBron is BETTER than anyone would’ve thought which is amazing. He rarely gets hurt, he always shows up, he’s had some of the BIGGEST clutch games in NBA history yet, no one knows it. It’s incredible.”
