Allen Iverson Weighs In on NBA G.O.A.T Debate With a Perfect Answer

• Allen Iverson gave a thoughtful answer on the basketball GOAT debate
• The Philadelphia 76ers icon faced LeBron James and Michael Jordan
• Both Jordan and James fans have argued for years on who the GOAT is

Since LeBron James became NBA's all-time leading scorer, the GOAT debate - pitting him against Michael Jordan - has raged.

Some felt 'the Scoring King' had surpassed 'His Airness', while others felt the new milestone wasn't as groundbreaking.

Allen Iverson faced both James and Jordan and would be well-placed to give an opinion, recently giving a thoughtful answer to the debate.

By acclamation, Jordan is the greatest player ever to touch a basketball. His six NBA titles in the 1990s are a testament to his dominance. He went 6-0 in the finals with the Chicago Bulls, a record that may never be matched.

Chelsea’s transfer news: How much money did Chelsea spend this transfer window?

Football

Meanwhile, James is playing in his 20th NBA season and is playing at an incredible level. He is averaging 30 points, but the Lakers are struggling this season.

The 38-year-old last won an NBA title in 2020 and missed the playoffs last season. He is still looking for his fifth NBA title. Still, his influence in the last two decades cannot be ignored.

Iverson on GOAT debate

It is difficult to find players who have faced both Jordan and James. The Philadelphia 76ers legend faced Jordan as a rookie in 1996 and came up against James in the 2000s.

He was recently asked about the GOAT debate and gave a great answer. However, he doesn't like answering that question, according to AndScape.

“LeBron, I think, to me is the best overall basketball player that we’ll ever see. If you look in the dictionary and look up basketball player, there’ll be a picture of LeBron... But LeBron is just everything that you want in a basketball player. He’s a total package. He’s God’s gift to the basketball world.”

Joe Mazzulla named Boston Celtics' permanent manager

NBA

Iverson has acknowledged multiple times that Jordan is his idol.

"For me, it’s so different because Mike was everything to me. He gave me the vision. He made me want to play basketball. He’s my everything. I wanted to actually be like him, like the commercial, ‘Be like Mike,’ I really wanted to be him. I’m still starstruck every time I see him. I’m still nervous every time. Because he’s Mike to me. He’s my guy. So there’ll never be no one at the top of my list besides Mike."

This debate will continue for years to come. Both James and Jordan were in the top two in the Athletic's top 75 NBA players of all time.

James declares himself GOAT

Sports Brief also reported on James declaring himself the best player ever as he closed in on breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's long-standing record.

What if Michael Jordan did not retire during the Chicago Bulls’ reign in the 1990s?

NBA

He has been the best NBA player of the last decade and some believe he therefore has a right to say he is the greatest to touch the ball.

“That’s just my confidence, that’s just what I bring to the table, what I possess. But as far as if the scoring record gets me to another level, I don’t know.”