Michael Jordan was 22 in 1984 when he debuted in the NBA. The 3rd overall draft pick of that year turned out to be one of the greatest hoopers to ever grace the stage. But in the same year, two months after MJ’s debut, a child was born in the James household: LeBron James. Growing up, sitting before the television, little Bron watched his hero fly up to the baskets. Insane dunks, maddening defense, and six rings. He, too, dreamed of walking the same path.

But the year LeBron debuted in the league at 19, Air Jordan retired, which was in 2003. However, his lasting impact on the little boy from Akron never faded away. Thus, while talking about inspirations, James Sr. cannot bypass Michael Jordan’s name. Meanwhile, Steve Nash was curious know about the origin’s of Luka Doncic’s love for basketball in the Mind The Game podcast.

So he said that he was the ball-boy at the EuroLeague because his dad was playing for Olympia. And before the game, during halftime, and after the game, he was only shooting. Now, when the question turned towards LeBron, Nash asked him, “What was the first moment when basketball came into your life and you were like, ‘I love this?'” The 40-year-old Los Angeles Lakers superstar said, “I don’t know the exact moment. I think I was able to watch it. When I got to see some of the greatest that played the game, I was inspired by them. I was inspired by MJ, inspired by Anfernee Penny Hardaway, and Grant Hill.”

However, it wasn’t just the games that these legends played that threw the young LeBron James in awe. “Their sneakers inspired me. The commercials they used to do back then inspired me,” he confessed. “Just being outside, I was always a kid who just wanted to play, whatever it was.” No matter what his neighborhood kids played, Bron was always up for anything: basketball, kickball, football, or baseball. “Just running around and exerting as much energy as possible till the lights in the street came on and it was time to get in the house. I just wanted to do whatever,” he further confessed.

But it wasn’t until youth leagues that the Akron Hammer truly found his calling in the game. He noted, “That’s where I started to be competitive. I actually loved the competitive nature of basketball. Being out there five on five, and we’re playing for something.” Their target was simple back then: play and see who could score more points and win a game. “Ultimately, it got to, like, ‘Oh, if we win the majority of games, we can win something.’ We wanted to have a banquet and have medals and little trophies. That stuff inspired me.”

Simply put, Bron found his inspiration for basketball from the likes of Michael Jordan and Penny Hardaway. Playing on the streets until the streetlights illuminated turned into a full-time call of passion for the 40-year-old. And the rest has been an uphill ride etched on the golden sands of the NBA. Now, while speaking of MJ and James, there is something– a particular conversation, to be precise, that keeps coming back. Yes, the GOAT debate, well, it hasn’t left the scene, instead, another legend of the sport has revived it.

NBA Hall of Famer brings back the GOAT debate between LeBron James and Michael Jordan

In a chat with Kyle Odegard of Esports Insider, Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins brought the GOAT debate crashing back to Earth with flair and logic. And this time, he didn’t hold back. “I don’t believe in the GOAT and all that stuff,” Wilkins declared, brushing off the endless back-and-forth between Michael Jordan and LeBron James fans. Then he drove the point home. “How can you say a guy is the greatest of all-time when they haven’t played against some of the guys that were the greatest of their era? Like a Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell.”

With that, he reminded everyone that greatness isn’t a one-size-fits-all crown—it’s a tale shaped by eras, not just highlight reels. However, Wilkins set the records straight. “But I will say this: Michael Jordan made six Finals and won six championships with the same team. And he won three championships after retiring to play another sport,” he said. “Nothing like that has ever been done before. MJ did some things that no one will ever do. So if I’m going with the best player to ever play, that’s where my mindset sits. I’m going with Michael. That’s no disrespect to anybody, but I’m looking at what he accomplished in a short period of time.”

Michael Jordan went a perfect 6 and 0 in the Finals, bagged six titles, two three-peats, five MVPs, ten scoring crowns, and one Defensive Player of the Year. He owns the highest points per game average in NBA history and once dropped 63 in a playoff game. LeBron James, the King, holds four titles, four MVPs, and the all-time scoring crown. He’s also top five in both points and assists, rewriting history his way.

Greatness does not wear just one jersey, and it never plays by one era’s rules. Jordan soared with perfection, while LeBron rewrote the script with power and purpose. One ruled the ’90s with flawless dominance, the other stretched brilliance across decades. Even legends like Wilkins know—this debate is not about a winner. It is about wonder, legacy, and the magic two icons continue to leave behind every time the ball hits the hardwood.