The players who are on the record saying LeBron James is the GOAT
The NBA GOAT debate is one that is ever-raging with no sign of slowing down anytime soon, barring LeBron James maybe shutting it down by winning another championship or two before calling it quits.
Just like fans have the players they back in the debate, be it James, Michael Jordan or even Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who quietly has a solid case in his own right, so do current or former NBA players.
Below, check out all of the players who are on the record as saying LeBron James is the NBA’s greatest player of all time or GOAT. The list is led off by the obviously extremely unbiased Isiah Thomas.
Isiah Thomas
The best and most “complete” player I have seen in my lifetime is @KingJames on and off the floor. He passed the eye test and the numbers confirm what my eyes have seen in every statistical category. #Goat let it be known! pic.twitter.com/wb2iuLoQ4M
— Isiah Thomas (@IsiahThomas) October 8, 2020
Jason Kidd
Big statement from Kidd, when asked if @KingJames is the greatest NBA player ever: “In my book, he’s going to go down as the best to ever do it.”
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) March 29, 2022
Anthony Davis
October 12, 2020
Allen Iverson
“As much as I love Jordan, LeBron James is the ONE”
-Allen Iverson on the GOAT debate
— Masked 🎭 (@MaskedInLA) September 2, 2022
Paul Pierce
Honor to say I had a chance to match up with The GaoT I’ve alway never acknowledged u as King but u Truly the King #lRespect no player in NBA History had the pressure coming in the league to exceed expectations not only have u live up to it but u have surpassed it #allhailtheKing
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) February 8, 2023
Draymond Green
I think LeBron yields a lot of power. As he should, I think arguably the greatest player of all time. If you look at his resume, it’s flawless.
June 23, 2020
Ja Morant
Greatest of All Time 👑
💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) February 8, 2023
Trae Young
MY TOP 5…
1. LBJ
2. Jordan
3. Kobe
4. KD
5. Steve NashDon’t @ me https://t.co/abT5FeumYC
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) March 24, 2020
Gilbert Arenas
Gilbert Arenas on why LeBron James is the GOAT:
“If you give Jordan and Kobe those Cavs teams, they wouldn’t have made the playoffs.”
(via @WhistleSports) pic.twitter.com/sI5zsdqRHV
— Hoopsview (@hoopsview) January 15, 2021
Jaylen Brown
The greatest !! congrats to @KingJames
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) February 8, 2023
Kendrick Perkins
I don’t wanna hear shit! I’m not debating a damn thing when it comes to the GOAT. Old heads, haters, trolls… sit this one out! I always believed but now it’s concrete and nothing left to discuss… Carry. The. Hell. ON!
Congratulations my brother @KingJames
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) February 8, 2023
Justin Anderson
1. Bron
2. MJ
3. Kobe
4. Shaq
5. Dirk— Justin Anderson (@JusAnderson1) March 26, 2020
Bill Laimbeer
"I firmly believe that [LeBron James] is the best basketball player in the history of the game."
Former "Bad Boy" Piston, and Michael Jordan opponent, Bill Laimbeer. pic.twitter.com/9aTQgnW3n4
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 14, 2020
Jason Williams
https://www.instagram.com/p/CALsXEgH35G/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=b9191471-ccb0-42a3-8ffa-848b56b8d7bf
Channing Frye
Not gonna lie, I wasn’t a Jordan fan. I’m from Phoenix [Arizona]. I’m a [Charles] Barkley guy, a Kevin Johnson guy, I’m a ‘Thunder Dan’ [Dan Majerle] guy. So, as much as everyone is shocked, I never had Jordan on my top player of all time anyways… I have LeBron above Michael all time.
November 15, 2020
Cedric Maxwell
LeBron James is the GOAT now. He’s the GOAT because, not only on the basketball side, but social issues: He’s been involved in every social issue that we look at.
June 3, 2020
Larry Nance Jr
For me the greatest player is LeBron. The best I’ve seen with my two eyes.
July 30, 2020
Mike Miller
Most Ever. Best Ever.
162 and counting @KingJames 👑 pic.twitter.com/6KtVaclhT1
— Mike Miller (@MikeMiller_13) September 9, 2020
Cedi Osman
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) September 11, 2020
Eddie Johnson
I can imagine a legion of haters throwing things at their TV watching @KingJames showcasing his GOAT Status! #LakersNuggets
— Eddie A Johnson (@Jumpshot8) September 27, 2020
Wade Baldwin
I know I know the dramatics I’m going to hear!! I knowwwwwww. Lebron is just across the board better than Jordan. I knowwwww it hurts the soul I know.
— Wade Baldwin IV (@The_Fourth_Wade) September 27, 2020
Terrence Ross
Try to convince me pic.twitter.com/jBKNr9NEx0
— Terrence Ross (@TerrenceRoss) October 12, 2020
Wesley Matthews
Wesley Matthews on playing with LeBron James: "It's LeBron. Arguably the best player to ever play this game."
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) November 24, 2020
Tristan Thompson
Lol @RedsArmy_John prefaces a question to Thompson with “You’ve obviously played with one the greatest players ever.”
“THE greatest player ever,” Thompson interjects.
— Tom Westerholm (@Tom_NBA) December 3, 2020
Ryan Hollins
LeBron does not have the dominance of Michael Jordan. Six rings. Six championships. Has not lost in his era. We don’t even think of any other stars in his era. He owned an entire decade of basketball. So when I say that LeBron is the greatest player that ever played, I believe that is something that he grew into. I believe he got to a point where he surpassed Michael because of the way the NBA is played.
February 16, 2021
Cade Cunningham
It’s hard for me to put somebody ahead of LeBron cause LeBron is the best player I’ve seen with my eyes. Trust me I’ve seen all the Michael Jordan stuff, dude is different. I can’t argue with the fact that you think he is the GOAT but in my eyes I say LeBron.
August 17, 2021
Malik Monk
That’s what he does. That’s why he the GOAT, man. I’ve been watching him my whole life. He’s like our Jordan. Our generation. I’m just blessed to be out there with him every day.
November 24, 2021
Shane Battier
In my mind, he’s the greatest player of all time. I’m biased, I know that, but I’m allowed to be. And I know we said this with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, we said this with Wilt Chamberlain, we said this with Michael Jordan, but I don’t think we’ll see someone like LeBron James ever again.
February 8, 2023
Kevin Huerter
Greatest to ever do it @KingJames 💐
— Kevin Huerter (@KevinHuerter) February 8, 2023
Josh Richardson
Wow. Real life GOAT in front of us
— Josuélito (@J_Rich1) February 8, 2023
Darvin Ham
“I think (passing Kareem) puts him at the top of the list. Just his durability, his longevity, what he’s done, what he’s meant to the league on and off the court… I don’t mind at all calling him the greatest.”
February 8, 2023