The NBAs never-ending GOAT debate found fresh fuel this week, and it came from one of the most unlikely voices in basketball history, Isiah Thomas.
I know we talk about Jordan, but he leads in no statistical basketball category. But yet theres an argument about him being the best, Thomas said appearing on FanDuel TVs Run It Back. But then you look at Kareem and you look at LeBron, those guys lead in several statistical categories. But yet we say somebody else is better and Im just giving you the evidence
This is what I dont understand about your era. You guys are playing with arguably the greatest player to ever play, and excuse me when I say this, but yall treat him like hes nothing, Thomas said. Instead of pumping your era up, yall go back and say our era was the greatest. You know, Michael Jordan was the greatest, nobody could ever be greater than Michael Jordan, right? Ok, and then you turn around, and in your era, LeBron James is sitting there holding every single basketball record. I mean, every single one of them, he said. And, youre looking at a Kevin Durant and youre looking at a Steph Curry, but then when yall talk about the greatest, yall talk about the guy that gave you some shoes.
Isiah Thomas doesnt understand why Michael Jordan is still in GOAT convos with LeBron
Yall treat LeBron like he aint notingwhen yall talk about the greatest, yall talk about the guy that gave you some shoes.@MichelleDBeadle | @boogiecousins | @ChandlerParsons pic.twitter.com/tcaFT0lGJc
Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) January 8, 2026
The comment quickly made waves, especially given Thomas complicated history with Michael Jordan.
That history matters. Jordan never lost in the NBA Finals, but he also did not reach one until Detroits dominance faded.
Meanwhile, LeBron James has carried multiple rosters to the leagues biggest stage, often with less help, while climbing to the top of nearly every major statistical category.
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