Lakers Icon Magic Johnson Names Michael Jordan NBA GOAT over LeBron James in New Video

Magic Johnson has consistently maintained that Michael Jordan is the greatest player in NBA history, a position he reaffirmed at the Invest Fest in Atlanta. He emphasized that Jordan's unique abilities set him apart, stating "there's nobody alive" who could match what Jordan accomplished on the court.

Despite LeBron James joining the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, Johnson's loyalty to the team has not influenced his historical ranking. During a 2023 appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, he suggested James might need to win "a couple more championships" to potentially surpass Jordan, though he also acknowledged James' exceptional career and individual greatness.

Johnson's perspective is informed by his firsthand experience competing against Jordan, including the 1991 NBA Finals where Jordan's Bulls defeated Johnson's Lakers. Jordan's statistical dominance in that series—averaging 31.2 points, 11.4 assists, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.8 steals—underscored his impact. The debate between Jordan and James remains subjective, with Jordan's peak dominance (10 All-NBA First Team selections, 9 scoring titles, 6 championships, 5 MVPs) contrasting with James' unprecedented longevity (22 consecutive All-NBA selections and historic production into his late 30s and early 40s).