Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant might be Metta Sandiford-Artest’s favorite players, but that didn’t stop him from calling LeBron James the GOAT, and he has his reasons.

Taking to Twitter, the former Lakers star wrote that James was No. 1 as he knew what he had to do.

“Stats say @KingJames is number 1. Even if I’m an MJ 23 and Kobe guy, and I can make arguments for MJ being he retired twice, King James did what he had to do. He used his IQ and got it done. Wilt, Cap, Shaq, MJ, LBJ, Kobe, Bird, Russel, etc. In no order, but number 1 is Akron.”

Lonzo Ball Is Not Expected To Return From Injury NextSeasonRead More

Metta’s fondness and respect for both Jordan and Kobe have been well-documented. Be it the time he broke MJ’s ribs during a pickup game, or winning a championship with Kobe and the Lakers. But he’s followed enough of James to know what it took for the Akron man to get where he is now in the advanced stage of his career.

To add, Metta also lined up some of the yesteryear stars who he grew up watching, but in his mind, James and his accomplishments made him the GOAT.

Can LeBron James Win His Fifth Championship?

The 2023-24 season marks LeBron James’ 21st year in the NBA, and for the crushing lows, he’s also seen maximal highs in his decorated career. But what will truly put him in the pantheon of the greats is winning another championship. And the 38-year-old has made it clear that he’s indeed playing to win championships.

Much of that depends on what the Los Angeles Lakers can put around him. Whether it’s signing Chris Paul or Kyrie Irving or even pulling the trigger on their roster and surrounding him and Anthony Davis with the right pieces, the Lakers will have some work in the summer.

There have been murmurs of James even leaving the Lakers, especially after being linked to the Dallas Mavericks, but that’s unlikely, given how things are shaping up in LA. As far as winning his fifth title goes, the Lakers will need to make an all-or-nothing break for it this season.