It’s 2025, and the GOAT debate between Michael Jordan and LeBron James is still ongoing. I mean, did it ever stop? This time, MJ’s former running mate, the Robin to his Batman, is speaking on the subject. Scottie Pippen, y’all!
Interestingly, Pippen previously switched his GOAT between the two. This time, however, he gave an edge to his former teammate. This has been a point of discussion, and former players turned analysts reluctantly agreed to what the 7x NBA All-Star had stated.
“Me and Lou both think LeBron’s the greatest player of all time. But in this era, I think MJ would score more points; I think he would get to FT line more, but it’s not a fair argument,” Chandler Parsons said, but not before he first clarified about his GOAT being LeBron James.
He, however, detailed how ‘His Airness’ would benefit in today’s era. His co-analyst, Lou Williams, another former player who considers the Lakers superstar to be better, agreed with Parsons. “When MJ played, you literally couldn’t double in the post. That’s a big rule change.”
Parsons once again opined in favor of the 4x NBA Champion. “LeBron is also physical and strong enough to be just as good back in that era,” he pointed out before stating outright, “This is a trap!”
But he ended his argument on a very dicey note. “How about this? You switch them in eras. They are still one and two.” The latest debate on RunItBack happened because of Pippen’s previous comments.
Scottie (Scotty) Pippen Sr. says Michael Jordan would be better than LeBron if they switched eras
“In this era, I think MJ would score more points…but it’s not a fair argument.” – @ChandlerParsons
“When MJ played, you literally couldn’t double in the post.” – @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/FPpWrpyCgk
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) January 22, 2025
During the appearance of the PBD podcast, the 6x NBA Champion answered a question about whether MJ would have fared better compared to current stars. “LeBron in your era, or Michael in LeBron’s era, who does better?” Pippen answered, “Probably Michael.”
He later provided a reason as well on why he crowned Micahel Jordan over LeBron James. “Because remember, in Michael’s era, early on, it was physical, 85-90 point games. In today’s games, we’re looking at some games that will get to 130-140 points. So I think that Michael would have thrived off of being free, open, and not having the physicality that he had to play with night in and night out.”
The physicality of the game has always been a point of contention when it comes to the GOAT debate.
Michael Jordan loyalists slam Scottie Pippen
During the interview with Patrick Bet-David, Scottie Pippen also reiterated a previous claim. In 2021, he infamously said he wanted to be remembered as the greatest basketball player in an interview with Good Morning America. In the recent PBD interview, he did not change his opinion.
“When you play the game the way I played it – you play on both ends. Why can’t I say that? And say it and mean it.” Stephen A. Smith, who would support Michael Jordan in any debate, did the same. “There were several times when you floated that he (LeBron) was better than Michael Jordan. You know that was blasphemy. But you were never that offensive player, Scottie.”
The ESPN analyst also suggested to dr-g test Pippen over his claims. LeBron is in his 22nd season and has many stats and accolades in his favor. Similarly, the 6 rings currently put Michael Jordan on another pedestal. So the GOAT debate would continue for some more time until a new player comes and takes that mantle.
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The post Agreeing With Scottie Pippen, Ex-NBA Star Ranks Michael Jordan Ahead of LeBron James in Current Era appeared first on EssentiallySports.
