LeBron James, often hailed as one of the greatest players in NBA history, found himself ranked outside the top two by former NBA player Will Barton. During a recent appearance on the Ball Don’t Stop podcast, Barton shared his perspective on the greatest players of all time, placing Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant above the league’s all-time leading scorer.
“I feel like it’s Mike and Kobe, and then everyone else,” Barton stated. “And I feel like Kobe is a little better than Mike.” Despite acknowledging LeBron’s greatness, Barton’s preference reflects the ongoing debate about the greatest of all time (GOAT) in basketball.
Image via Aaron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post
As a former NBA player with an 11-year career, Barton brings a unique viewpoint to the conversation. Drafted in 2012 by the Portland Trail Blazers, he went on to play for the Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, and Toronto Raptors before his last appearance in 2023. Throughout his career, Barton faced both Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, giving him firsthand experience against two of the most dominant players in NBA history.
Despite his respect for LeBron’s all-around skills, Barton’s admiration for Jordan and Bryant stems from their scoring-first mentality. “The biggest knock I see sometimes on Mike and Kobe when it comes to LeBron is LeBron is just a better overall basketball player,” Barton said. “I tell people all the time, Kobe and Mike were gifted passers.”
LeBron James’ passing ability at the forward position is often cited as a key argument in his favor. His career numbers underscore this, as he has averaged eight or more assists in seven different seasons, with a peak of 10.2 assists per game during his assist-title-winning 2020 season. By contrast, Michael Jordan’s best season for assists was 1988-89, where he averaged 8.0 per game.
While Barton recognizes LeBron’s superior facilitation, he believes Jordan and Bryant’s focus on scoring gives them the edge. “The most important thing in the game is the score, no matter how you slice it. And they understood that,” Barton explained.
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At its core, the GOAT debate remains subjective, driven by individual preferences and values. Whether one prioritizes scoring, passing, or overall skill set, players like Jordan, Bryant, and James represent unparalleled greatness in their unique ways.
As Barton emphasized, “I feel like it’s Mike and Kobe, and then everyone else.” For fans and analysts, the rankings may differ, but the impact of these three legends on the game of basketball is undeniable.
This latest perspective adds another chapter to the ongoing conversation, reminding fans that the GOAT debate is as much about personal values as it is about statistics and accolades.
