With a combined 15 NBA championships, 52 All-Star appearances, 10 MVPs, and 13 scoring titles, Michael Jordan , Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James are undoubtedly three of the greatest players in NBA history. The debate about who is the greatest of all time among them is constant, with fans and analysts often pondering how these legends would fare playing together or against each other.
Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas found himself in a tough position when he was asked to choose who he would start, bench, and cut among these iconic figures—a decision that's anything but easy.
“I’ma start LeBron, bench Jordan, cut Kobe,” Arenas said on “The OGs.” “Kobe is my favorite player of all time, but I can’t have Jordan and Kobe on the same team cause obviously if Jordan starts and Kobe’s coming off the bench, Jordan ain’t coming out for him.”
Tough choice
A team with the option of pairing up any two of Jordan, James, and Bryant would have an epic and exhilarating matchup that would keep fans on the edge of their seats.
MJ was a basketball assassin, balancing an aggressive offense with a stifling defense. He knew how to pressure opponents, leading to turnovers and forced errors. Then there's Kobe, who came closest to emulating Jordan’s killer instinct. However, the Black Mamba’s tendency to attempt difficult shots affected his shooting accuracy; his career field-goal percentage stood at 44.7 percent. That is lower than Jordan, who sank 49.7% of his shots, and LeBron, who boasts a career field-goal percentage of 50.6%.
Speaking of James, his physical presence on the court is formidable, but he's not considered the better ball handler or defender compared to MJ and Kobe. According to Arenas, Bron might not have the same “assassin” mentality as Jordan or Kobe, but he’s a solid choice to kick off a game, while Mike is the better pick in crunch time.
“Right, so if I start Kobe, he ain’t subbing out [for] Jordan,” Arenas continued. “So I'm gonna go with the safe pick as a coach. I’m gonna start LeBron, Jordan off the bench, Bron will come out the game… you switch it up and have Jordan in; Bron ain’t never getting in the game, I can tell you that for sure.”
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Three of the best there are
When we talk about NBA royalty, these are the three names that inevitably come to mind. Each of these legends not only carved out their unique paths to greatness but also reshaped the landscape of basketball in ways that continue to influence the game today.
LeBron entered the NBA straight out of high school in 2003, dubbed "The Chosen One." He didn’t just live up to the hype—he exceeded it. Over a career spanning more than two decades, Bron has amassed four NBA championships, four MVP awards, and 20 All-Star selections.
MJ, who is often hailed as the greatest of all time, was a scoring machine and defensive powerhouse. With six NBA championships, five MVP awards, and 14 All-Star appearances, his career is the stuff of legends. The Chicago icon’s scoring prowess is highlighted by his 10 scoring titles, and his defensive acumen is showcased by his nine All-Defensive First Team selections. Jordan’s career average of 30.1 points per game remains the highest in NBA history.
But the Black Mamba was the epitome of work ethic and dedication. With five NBA championships and 18 All-Star selections, Kobe’s career was marked by his relentless pursuit of greatness, and he is probably the closest anyone has come to being the next Jordan. Scoring 60 points in his final NBA game was the perfect reflection of how he approached every game in his career.
The G.O.A.T. debate will always be a timeless one. As generations and players evolve, the conversation will inevitably change but never settle. While many narrow the debate down to LBJ and MJ, players of today and the past don’t let us forget about the sheer greatness of Kobe.
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