THE NBA GOAT debate is settled, at least according to one publication.
Bleacher Report has officially decided whether LeBron James or Michael Jordan is the GOAT, and fans are up in arms over the list.
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Bleacher Report polled their NBA experts, writers, and editors to make a top 100 ranking of all-time NBA players.
Using those rankings, Bleacher Report made a consensus list of the top 100 players, and Jordan and James are of course at the top of the list.
According to Bleacher Report, Jordan is the greatest player in NBA history.
The lowest Jordan was ranked by any of the polled staffers was No. 2.
Meanwhile, James came in at No. 2 on the list of greatest NBA players of all time.
The lowest he was ranked by any of the polled staffers was No. 3.
Bleacher Reports top 10 list was filled out as follows:
- Michael Jordan
- LeBron James
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Magic Johnson
- Bill Russell
- Shaquille O’Neal
- Tim Duncan
- Larry Bird
- Wilt Chamberlain
- Steph Curry
Notably, Kobe Bryant was not included in the top 10 of the list.
He sat at No. 11 on the list, with his highest ranking being No. 4 and his lowest being all the way down at No. 18.
Many fans weren’t busy debating Jordan versus LeBron, and were instead focused on complaining over the rest of the list on social media.
“Kobe at 11 is criminal,” Shaquille O’Neal himself posted.
“Steph listed before Kobe is WRONG,” a fan said.
“KG and Dirk over Giannis lol,” another fan said.
“I don’t care what y’all say Hakeem is a greater player all time than Wilt,” a third fan said.
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“Russell over Steph???” a fourth fan said.
While many fans were focused on trashing the list, LeBron fans weren’t shy about him being listed at No. 2.
“It’s 2025. Why Are We Still Putting MJ Over LeBron?” one fan said.
“2025 and we still doing the Mike over LeBron gimmick,” another fan said.
“LeBron should be 1,” a third fan said.
