“Who dares challenge the GOAT?” is a question basketball fans often ask when a bold claim arises. Over the years, many players have compared themselves to Michael Jordan, the undisputed basketball icon. From Allen Iverson claiming he was unguardable to Kobe Bryant drawing parallels to Jordan’s relentless competitiveness, players have challenged or aligned themselves with His Airness. Recently, another player, an LA Lakers legend, reignited the age-old debate.

In an episode of Byron Scott’s Fast Break podcast, Lakers Hall of Famer James Worthy threw his hat into this treacherous ring and declared he was better than the Windy City standout. “I was with Michael. He was a freshman in my Junior year. We only had four or five months together. But you know the story, I tell about Michael, man I was better than him, for about three weeks. And I enjoyed those three weeks, cause I saw something in that boy, that he didn’t have it quite yet. He was still learning,” said Worthy during the podcast.

Worthy’s assertion stems from his years at the University of North Carolina, where he and Jordan were teammates under legendary coach Dean Smith. He, a 6’9” forward with unparalleled versatility, was the centerpiece of the Tar Heels. In his junior year in 1982, he led the Heels team to win the NCAA Championship, where he scored 28 points and 4 rebounds, earning the Final Four Most Outstanding Player award.

On the other hand, Jordan was just a freshman during Worthy’s final collegiate season. While still developing his game, Jordan quickly demonstrated his potential. In the same NCAA game, he scored 16 points and 9 rebounds, which was the second-best performance from the team. Worthy’s claim that he was “better” than Jordan for three weeks could refer to when his polished game overshadowed the freshman’s raw talent.

“He would seek out the best in everything—chess, backgammon, you name it. If he lost, he’d get so mad, like he’d just lost a Game 7. We’d practice for two and a half hours, running sprints until we were exhausted. Afterward, you just wanted to leave, but here comes Michael, pushing me and saying, ‘Where you going, young fella? You scared?’ He always wanted to play a little one-on-one. So we’d play, and he was just a bad boy,” said Worthy about Jordan during the podcast.

However, Jordan’s collegiate career didn’t stop there. Over three seasons, he averaged 17.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, winning the Naismith College Player of the Year award in 1984. His athleticism, scoring prowess, and defensive capabilities were already hallmarks of his future dominance.

While Worthy had an impressive professional career, including seven All-Star appearances, three NBA Championships, and a Finals MVP award in 1988, his achievements pale compared to Jordan’s transcendent legacy.

Jordan, who won six NBA wings, 14 All-Stars, and five MVP awards, rewrote the rules of his sport with career averages of 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. Statistically and in terms of impact, Jordan outran Worthy in almost every category.

Worthy’s statement isn’t entirely baseless—it highlights the nuances of basketball development. In college, players like Worthy, who were older and more seasoned, often outshone younger stars like Jordan. However, Jordan’s rapid evolution and sustained dominance set him apart from his contemporaries and predecessors. However, like the Lakers legend said that was able to outdo Jordan, the 63-year-old even had a plan for it.

James Worthy’s strategy to outdo Jordan

When he signed to the NBA in 1984, he was an electrifying rookie from the University of North Carolina. MJ instantly set the league on fire with his high-flying dunks and unmatched scoring ability. Although he was still a rookie, Jordan had a huge impact on this season, averaging 28.2 points per game and winning the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

However, every great player has a vulnerable point, and Worthy, who has claimed to be ‘better’ than Jordan, knew it. In an appearance on the ‘Dan Patrick Show,’ the Lakers champ revealed that the best thing a player could do was to dismiss him with words. “You gotta be verbal with Michael. You gotta talk trash. You know you can’t get in his head but you got to make it fun. I don’t know if I would’ve stopped him, but I would’ve given him a few hard fouls,” said Worthy on a Dan Patrick Show.

Still, even after having such a great strategy, he averaged 20.7 points and 4.6 rebounds against him. Jordan himself used this strategy to stop his opponents from performing. Worthy’s insight underscores just how dominant Jordan was—his only weakness was a challenge that might backfire.