With countless greats available to choose from, the NBA GOAT debate is a never-ending spiral. While some prefer current stars like LeBron James, some choose from retired icons like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. More often than not, Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan always ends up as a part of the conversation.

Having said that, everyone looks for a different quality or skill while choosing their GOAT.

During a recent interview, Los Angeles Lakers legend Michael Cooper revealed his own greatest of all time. While the answer was not surprising, many have often opted for different players in the past.

Why did Michael Cooper opt for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar over Michael Jordan?

Copper recently spoke with Justine Termine and Eddie A Johnson, where the NBA GOAT was a topic of discussion. To Cooper, the logical choice was Abdul-Jabbar. It all boiled down to a few plays on the court, which landed him a spot over Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

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“The GOAT for me of all time is Kareem Abdul Jabbar. And why I say him? In order to stop Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, you double triple-team them,” Cooper explained. He even mentioned the late Kobe Bryant in the discussion, adding how one only needs to make him pass the ball and deny him.

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Abdul-Jabbar, however, was different. “Kareem didn’t care if you double triple-team him,” Cooper stated.

Based on that, the 65-year-old was sure that if he had a choice of any player who ever played basketball, Abdul-Jabbar would be his first pick.

Moreover, Cooper, the six-time NBA Champion, was also more of a team player. “You couldn’t foul him but he could make free throws,” Cooper said, adding that if he was double-teamed while there was a player open, Abdul-Jabbar made sure the ball would reach them.

How many titles did Cooper win with Abdul-Jabbar?

Interestingly, all five of Cooper’s titles come while playing with Abdul-Jabbar – 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988. While Jordan was drafted in 1984, it would be a few years before he claimed complete dominance on the court. His first NBA title was in 1991, three years after Abdul-Jabbar and Cooper won theirs in 1988.

Though Jordan’s game changed significantly over the years, the way he scored was different.

Having said that, both Cooper and Abdul-Jabbar retired when Jordan was in his prime. Abdul-Jabbar walked away in 1989, while Cooper retired in 1991 – the same year His Airness won his first NBA title. Jordan went on to win six championships in total, the same as Abdul-Jabbar.

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Do you agree with Cooper’s choices? Who is your NBA GOAT?