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3X Super Bowl Champion Makes Massive In-Season Tournament Claim for LeBron James-Michael Jordan ‘Goat’ Debate

Published 12/08/2023, 4:08 PM EST

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Good news for the Lakers, as they advance to the In-Season Tournament finals after destroying the Pelicans with a whopping 133-89 victory. The final game will go down on Saturday between the Purple and Gold and the Pacers, who defeated the Bucks. While LeBron is prepping for the D-Day, the ‘GOAT’ debate around the LeBron-Jordan duo has kicked off once again.

In a recent episode of the Undisputed Show, host Skip Bayless remains adamant that Bron can in no shape or form match up to the greatness of MJ. In his words, Bron could do all the damage he can do in bubbles or ISTs, but it will never measure up to what MJ has achieved throughout his career. But fret not, as former NFL superstar and 3X Super Bowl Champion Michael Irvin comes to the King’s rescue.

LeBron’s contributions will count

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This debate will most definitely never be settled as long as the game exists, and the newly introduced In-Season Tournament adds to the difference in scales. However, King James’ contributions have been crucial in bringing the Lakers this far in the tournament, and Irvin asserts, “We don’t see it because we haven’t seen it…but it’s going to grow and grow and grow especially if LeBron with it.”

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There is no denying the fact that both LeBron and MJ have accumulated all the titles there are to win in the NBA, but the IST is something that MJ has never had the opportunity to participate in. Despite this, Irvin says that Bron’s contributions in the tournament will surely count as something for Bron’s record and legacy down the road.

LeBron James Trivializes Chance at In-Season Tournament Glory for Bigger Picture: “It’s Still December”

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No signs of slowing down

At 38, LeBron is pushing the boundaries of athletic longevity and it looks like he has more to offer to the game of basketball. In the IST semifinals against the Pelicans, the veteran emerged as the star of the show, sinking 30 points surpassing everyone, and contributing 5 rebounds and 8 assists across 23 minutes.

This season, Bron has been 100 percent reliable, and being the oldest player in the league currently, he continues to lead the Lakers’ charts in points (25), assists (6.6), and steals (1.5). While the IST final match is a highly anticipated one, the Pacers are young, tough, fast, and hungry, and the Lakers will have to put up a strong fight to emerge victorious.

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What are your thoughts on this match-up? Who do you think has the upper hand in this game? Share your thoughts!

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Written by:

Tsuktibenla T Jamir

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Tsuktibenla T Jamir is an NBA author at EssentiallySports. Armed with a Masters in Journalism from the prestigious Delhi School of Journalism, this Nagaland native combines her academic prowess with her passion for the game to craft compelling narratives that bring the NBA to life. She finds immense joy in dissecting the journeys of the athletes who make the game larger than life.
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Edited by:

Anuj Jacob