LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan is one of the NBA’s most debated topics, but Dennis Rodman wants no part of it.
Appearing on ESPN First Take, the Hall of Famer and longtime Bulls forward was asked how LeBron compares to his legendary former teammate. His answer? Direct, personal, and vintage Rodman.
Rodman: “Michael Is the Greatest Player Ever”
When host Molly Qerim asked Rodman to weigh in on the GOAT debate, he didn’t hesitate.
“That’s been a big debate for a while now,” he said. “But if we look at Michael, the body of work he’s done over the years, and then look at LeBron, the body of work he’s done… Michael is the greatest player ever.”
Rodman pointed out that Jordan’s durability and old-school mentality set him apart.
“He only got injured once. He never asked to sit out. He never asked for anything. He only asked for respect and money.”
Underrated and Underpaid?
Rodman also highlighted how underappreciated, and underpaid, Jordan was during much of his prime.
“People don’t realize, when Michael was playing, I’d say for the first eight or nine years, he was barely making three million dollars. Compared to these guys today making 40 million per year. No one even knew that.”
He went on to reference Jordan’s salary negotiations during the Bulls’ second three-peat run.
“When he asked for like 30 million from Chicago, I mean the fourth championship, he got that. Then 35 the second year… I think he wanted 50 the next year when we were going for four [in a row], but a lot of things went on.”
MJ in Today’s NBA? “He’d Average 50”
Rodman didn’t hold back when imagining how Jordan would perform in the modern era.
“If Michael played in this era,” he said, “he’d average 50 points.”
As for LeBron?
“LeBron is a great talent, no doubt,” Rodman admitted. But he quickly pivoted back to his GOAT stance, citing other legends before even getting back to Jordan.
“Why Do You Even Discuss the GOAT?”
Rodman wrapped up his answer not with frustration, but with disbelief.
“I don’t know why you guys even discuss the GOAT. Why do you discuss the GOAT? Why? Why?”
For Rodman, the debate isn’t controversial. It’s obvious. Michael Jordan is, and always was, the greatest of all time.
