Who do you think the GOAT of the NBA is? To be honest, there’s only one right answer. And that’s not to compare either – just enjoy them both. But of course, it’s far from an ideal world. LeBron James and Michael Jordan fans are always at each other’s throats like it’s World War III. It’s not just the fans – even analysts and former players have taken their sides. But Jordan’s biggest public supporter has been Stephen A. Smith. And that support has gone so far that it’s pretty much tarnished any semblance of friendship he and Bron could’ve had.

SAS’s bouts with James and his camp are well known. It’s gone to the point where Smith even publicly berated James’ son Bronny – a topic that the pair have gone punch-for-punch on in the media. But the biggest boiling point in their heated history is Smith’s belief that Michael Jordan is the undisputed GOAT. Could this be blind belief? Maybe.

There’s no real wrong answer- it’s all just a matter of perspective. But LeBron James’ camp, particularly Rich Paul, doesn’t seem to see it that way. And SAS seems to have reached his tipping point.

“The thing that we have to understand that’s important about this conversation is when we debate the GOAT, the negativity of it comes from LeBron and his camp, nobody else. When we say he’s number two all time, we’re appreciating the fact that of the thousands upon thousands of players that have played in the NBA since 1950, 1947, 1950 rather, okay? LeBron James- there’s only one player we look at and we say definitively we think was better. And that was Michael Jordan. What did I say to Rich Paul one day? You act like that’s an insult. Rich Paul’s response, it is an insult. Because that is how they have acted when it comes to the GOAT conversation,” said SAS on First Take.

What makes Jordan fans feel this way is that he’s won two more rings than the King. In fact, he has a perfect 6-0 record in the NBA Finals, and has 5 MVP awards compared to James’ 4. But on James’ side, his longevity, all-time scoring record, and success with multiple teams could tip the scales in his favor.

It’s not just Paul’s response to this, but the whole rigamarole of the need for acknowledgment that doesn’t sit well with Stephen A. Smith. None of Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, or even Stephen Curry directly called themselves the “GOAT”. Neither did their camps. So why should James and Co. get the privilege?

Rich Paul weighs in on why LeBron James is the undisputed GOAT

Paul has been a part of James‘ camp since the King stepped foot on the NBA hardwood for the first time. And unlike the NBA GOAT debate, there’s no denying that Paul is arguably the best agent the Association has ever seen. But well, bias is bias. There’s no right or wrong, but Paul’s comments on why Jordan isn’t the greatest don’t hold any water in SAS’s books. And it wasn’t just the Jordan comments. It was more so to do with Paul claiming ESPN made quick bucks off criticizing the King.

“Michael never had to leave. Michael’s never been the underdog in any finals. Not one time. Michael never had a 24 hour, 365 news cycle. He never had shows built strictly to criticize him. People made millions of dollars criticizing LeBron James. That was their entire job. And when you talk about the difficulty of it all, Michael played for Dean Smith, Michael played for Phil Jackson, and Michael had Jerry Krause,” said Paul on the Dan Patrick Show.

To be honest, this debate will never rest. But one thing’s for certain – everyone, including Jordan fans, will miss LeBron James when he retires. And that includes SAS. As for who actually is the GOAT, Rich Paul says it best: “I’m more so focused on less about who’s the goat and why I can’t be at a dinner with those two guys having a great conversation.”