A former NBA star made his debut before Michael Jordan’s second three-peat and retired before LeBron James lifted his first trophy. Yet, it was enough for the veteran to make his mark in the GOAT debate. But the decision is not only based on the 49-year-old being a teammate but also because of an influence from Magic Johnson.

Joe Smith appeared on Dwight Howard’s podcast and said, “That’s tough.” He continued on ‘Above the Rim with DH 12′, “I ain’t grew up a Jordan fan. I grew up a Magic fan, so for me the closest thing to Magic (is) Bron. Obviously can’t take nothing away from Jordan. You got the most points in history, top five in assists, and the numbers don’t lie so it’s close.”

Whenever the first-overall pick of the 1995 NBA draft had the chance in his career, he wore number 32. The number that Magic Johnson wore during his career. But even though Joe Smith called it tough and chose LeBron James, his idol Magic Johnson sided with Michael Jordan in the GOAT debate.

Appearing on the Dan Patrick Show, last year, the Lakers legend chose MJ, simply because of more rings. Yes, Johnson felt LeBron was special, but Jordan would remain his number-one pick probably till the end. Although Joe Smith had a different point of view, he still explained what it was to see Michael Jordan during his new beginnings in the NBA.

Michael Jordan and Co. mesmerized Joe Smith

In the 1995 draft, Smith had Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace in the same draft class. With the number 1 pick, the Golden State Warriors decided to trust the Maryland Alum, and he averaged 17.1 points in his two-and-a-half-year spell. During that time, he faced Michael Jordan and the Bulls, though he doesn’t remember the game but clearly remembers the situation in the DH12 podcast.

Being ahead in the first half by close to 20 points, the team from the Bay Area was confident. However, Smith described a change in demeanor from the Chicago team, as if somebody had turned the switch on. Something that Jordan surprised his opponents with more often than not. Within five minutes of the third quarter, the Bulls’ deficit was just down to 6 or 7 points.

Explaining more about it in the Vlad interview, the former NBA journeyman said he will never forget the experience. Stating that it helped him understand that no lead was ever safe and not every obstacle was difficult to concur on the court. But because of LeBron James‘ better individual numbers in more than one category, (points, assists, and rebounds) for Joe Smith, Michael Jordan might come in close second.