Now is a good time to revisit the NBA’s GOAT debate. But for the moment, let’s forget about who the GOAT is and focus on how it should be decided.
There are probably a lot of formulas out there, maybe some involving who starred in the best Space Jam movie. But the latest idea is a sham.
Talking about longevity. Talking about LeBron James. Talking about a potential shift.
James is a wonder at 41. Throwing down reverse windmill dunks. Leading the shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers to a 2-0 lead over the Houston Rockets in their first-round playoff series. And who knows what’s next when James and the Lakers take on the Rockets in Game 3, which tips off at 8 p.m. ET Friday, April 24 in Houston.
It is incredible to see James playing at such a high level in his 23rd season in the NBA. But biblically speaking, would Methuselah have edge in a GOAT debate because he lived to be 969?
Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.A member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team performs during a time out during the second half of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.Cleveland Brows player Myles Garrett riles up the crowd during the first half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.A fan waves a towel during the second half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.Fans arrive to watch warmups before game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena.1 / 5NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energyMoondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.1 / 5NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energyMoondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.2 / 5NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energyA member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team performs during a time out during the second half of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.3 / 5NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energyCleveland Brows player Myles Garrett riles up the crowd during the first half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.4 / 5NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energyA fan waves a towel during the second half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.5 / 5NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energyFans arrive to watch warmups before game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena.Of course not.
Sports wise, Kazuyoshi "Kazu" Miura of Japan is reportedly the older professional soccer player in the world at 56. But does that earn him GOAT status over Messi, Ronaldo or Pele?
Simply put, a GOAT debate should not hinge on longevity.
For those of you who think the NBA’s GOAT is Bill Russell, or Kobe Bryant or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, take your debate elsewhere. For this efficiency exercise, it’s LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan.
Clearly, James is playing better at 41 than Jordan was when was 40 and playing with the Washington Wizards. But back to efficiency.
Jordan played 15 seasons and won six titles. That’s a title for every 2.5 years in the league.
James has played 22 full seasons and won four titles. That’s a title for every 5.5 years the league.
James is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, a function of greatness, but also longevity. Back to efficiency.
Jordan led the league in scoring in 10 of his 15 seasons (once every 1.5 seasons). James led the league in scoring once during his 23 seasons (once every 23 years/.)
Jordan averaged 30.1 points in the regular season and 33.4 points per game in the playoffs.
Without getting muddled by math, James holds the edge in career averages for rebounds and assists. Jordan holds the advantage for steals.
James has been voted to the NBA All-Defensive First Team five times (once for every 4.6 years played.) Jordan was voted to the team nine teams (once for every 1.7 years played.)
James deserves standing ovations for his performance at 41.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron gains edge over Jordan in NBA's GOAT debate for wrong reason