Michael Jordan is widely considered the greatest to ever do it. His achievements of completing two 3-peats with the Chicago Bulls between 1991-98 is an achievement that was never done before, and most likely won’t be repeated in the foreseeable future. MJ’s greatness was not just limited to the game, the 6x NBA champion inspired the following generations to come, from Kobe Bryant and LeBron James to Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry.
In fact, KD feels so inspired by MJ that spoke at length to explain why MJ is the GOAT.
Kevin Durant schools an American rapper
In a recent interview on the podcast ‘Earn Your Leisure‘, Symba, an American rapper, shared his experience visiting Kevin Durant‘s house in Phoenix after game 4 against the Nuggets. He mentioned that Durant taught him a lot about Michael Jordan, saying, “He literally put me through Michael Jordan School, right from the beginning.”
USA Today via Reuters
Symba further explained Durant’s lessons about MJ while imitating KD’s voice, saying, “You’ve gotta understand they wouldn’t even pick guards in the top five in the drafts. There was no stop-and-pop, no fade away. I’m able to dribble and cross people over because MJ went to the front office and said people can’t keep playing this aggressively.”
Clearly, the Slim Reaper credits a lot of his game, and some NBA rule changes, to His Airness.
The rapper expressed surprise as the Phoenix Suns forward taught him about Michael Jordan, He eventually came to acknowledge that MJ is the GOAT thanks to Durant’s lecture. But for the rest of us who are yet to hear Durant’s side from his mouth, the debate is still open.
The biggest question, Michael Jordan or LeBron James?
LeBron James, like any other NBA star, drew inspiration from MJ initially. But it was his commitment to surpass his idol that set him apart. And his 20-year career easily surpasses that of any active player in the game. His longevity is unmatched and will likely never be replicated.
Michael Jordan achieved NBA dominance by winning six championships. Moreover, the unstoppable Chicago Bulls defied the notion of a Big-man’s league. Every generation and every person will have their way of choosing who the real GOAT is.
Dwyane Wade is best friends with James, and he appreciates him for his resilience and gameplay but prefers MJ as his GOAT. Every person can have a different opinion on the never-ending GOAT debate. However, both Michael Jordan and LeBron James are generational talents that come around just once in a lifetime.
Source: essentiallysports.com