Maxx Crosby has added yet more fuel to the NBA GOAT debate.
The Las Vegas Raiders star recently appeared on The OGs Show, featuring former Miami Heat players Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller as hosts, where he discussed Michael Jordan vs Kobe Bryant vs LeBron James.
The Raiders defensive end is taking Kobe and MJ over LeBronCredit: Getty
“On my GOAT list, I’m taking Kobe over LeBron,” Crosby said, who has a tattoo of Jordan and Kobe on his torso.
“I think LeBron, like, I respect his greatness. He’s top three, no question, but if it really comes down to it, in my opinion, you got Game 7 on the line. I’m taking MJ, and I’m taking Kobe if I want to win the title.”
This isn’t the first time defensive beast Crosby has slighted The King.
The superstar defensive end drew another comparison to MJ, Kobe and LeBron when discussing free agency and his decision to stay with the Raiders.
“The guys who inspire me are the Kobes (Bryant) and the (Michael) Jordans; the guys that stayed at the same place and won in the same place.
“No offense to the guys like LeBron and those dudes — I won’t give them some heat, but they took the easier road traveled, and that’s not the way I look at it.”
Fans caught wind of Crosby’s recent comments and shared their thoughts on social media.
“He don’t know ball,” said one fan.
“This is why you can’t take these Kobe stans seriously,” added another “They don’t care about facts. Just straight narrative and vibes. Kobe was a terrible game 7 player. LeBron is the greatest game 7 player ever.”
To be fair to Crosby, there’s no right or wrong answer here.
Jordan was undefeated in the NBA FinalsCredit: Getty
4Bryant won five championships with the LakersCredit: Getty
LeBron has four chips and most of the longevity recordsCredit: Getty
All three players are easily in the top 10 all-time and it’s just a matter of preference where you rank them.
For many, Jordan is the consensus greatest ever. The Chicago Bulls legend was a certified 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁er on the court and was a perfect 6-0 in NBA Finals with six Finals MVPs.
He averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.3 steals in 1,072 regular-season games, and holds the NBA records for career regular season scoring average (30.1 points per game) and career playoff scoring average (33.4 points per game).
Bryant was cut from the same cloth as His Airness and won five titles during his 20-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
‘Bean’ had career averages of 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.4 steals per contest.
Then there’s LeBron, who is still playing at the age of 39 and holds most of the NBA’s longevity records.
King James has won four NBA Championships with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat (twice) and Lakers, and has posted career averages of 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.3 steals per contest.
Not only is he is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, he also ranks fourth in career assists, speaking to his role as a facilitator compared to MJ and Bryant who were scorers first and foremost.
The GOAT debate is horses for courses at the end of the day.
The only correct answer is that all three players should be celebrated equally and given their flowers accordingly.
“My GOAT list, I’m taking Kobe over LeBron… You got game seven on the line, I’m taking MJ and I’m taking Kobe.”Maxx Crosby says he is taking Kobe Bryant over LeBron James all time 👀(via @theOGsShow)pic.twitter.com/nt5Aqc6NUj
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 25, 2024
