In the year 2025, the GOAT debate is essentially moot.
You’re either a Michael Jordan fan or a LeBron James fan.
And that’s who your perceived ‘GOAT’ is.
There’s no point in trying to convince the other side that one guy is better than the other.
It’s a wasted exercise.
Either side can twist and poke their arguments in favor of His Airness or The King in whichever way they choose.
There are only two majority sides of the GOAT argument (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won’t ever be disregarded).
However, years from now there may be a third member that rivals Jordan and James.
Insert Victor Wembanyama.
Before his season-ending injury, the once in a generational talent was well on his way to winning Defensive Player of the Year.
For all of James’ accolades and accomplishments, that is one award he never won.
Wembanyama will almost assuredly win at least one DPOY, and the odds would be that he wins quite a few.
That is one objective fact that favors Jordan over James.
The Chicago Bulls legend is the only player in NBA history to win regular-season MVP, Finals MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year.
James has won 3/4.
And while he has raised his defensive intensity as of late, in his 22nd season in the league, the 40-year-old’s chances of ever winning DPOY are long behind him.
Wembanyama won Rookie of the Year last season and will have a decade-plus to win the other three awards.
And join Jordan as the only two players to ever win all four.
However, James may be able to close the championship gap between Jordan’s six and James’ four.
Since trading for superstar Luka Doncic, the Los Angeles Lakers have transformed into one of the best teams in the entire Association.
They have vaulted up the Western Conference standings and look like a legitimate title contender led by James.
The biggest knock on James when compared to Jordan is ring count, whether that’s fair or not.
Jordan is famously 6-0 in the NBA Finals, while James is 4-6.
Capturing a fifth ring could put the exclamation point on James’ GOAT case, given everything else he has achieved in the last 22 years.
And who knows, by the time Wembanyama hangs it up, five, or even six rings may not be enough.
