Marv Albert picks his GOAT: "It's a very tight race between the two"

The GOAT debate, featuring Michael Jordan and LeBron James, has dominated basketball discourse over the last few years. Naturally, most people in NBA media have offered their two cents on the topic, with Marv Albert , a long-time commentator who covered both players consistently throughout their careers, being the last to do it.

"Obviously LeBron is in the discussion without any question, but I'll stay with Michael. It's a very tight race between the two," Albert said on The Mark Jackson Show.

The GOAT debate is close

Bron and Michael have accomplished everything in the NBA. Both are multi-time champions with multiple MVPs and Finals MVPs to their names. They are also cultural phenomenons and the most prominent faces of basketball.

The primary argument for Jordan is his success with the Chicago Bulls, as he spearheaded the team to six championships in six trips to the NBA Finals.

LeBron's case, meanwhile, is based on his unprecedented longevity and consistency. And even though the Los Angeles Lakers superstar won four championships, his losing record in the Finals is an issue for some, which is why most still see MJ as the greatest player ever.

That said, the GOAT case can be made for both Michael and LeBron. But at the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference, which is why people like Carmelo Anthony have grown tired of this discussion .

Albert's opinion matters

Marv, who started working in basketball circles in the 1960s, has been part of the broadcasts during some of the NBA's most exciting eras, including the Magic vs. Bird days in the 1980s, the Bulls' dominance in the 1990s, Kobe Bryant's run in the 2000s, and the entirety of LeBron's career.

Having seen it all firsthand, Marv might be one of the most competent people to answer the question of who the greatest player is. However, James still isn't done, and based on how he played last season, he still has at least two more seasons of elite basketball in him. So, until both guys are done with their careers, it might be pointless to spend so much deciding who's better.

Related: "Go put salt in your shoes and pray" - What Deloris Jordan told her son, 5-foot-10 Michael Jordan when he wished he was taller