Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk is known for wading into politics. But this time, it was the GOAT debate that got him fired up.
In a viral moment during a public Q&A, an audience member asked Kirk if he still believed Michael Jordan was the greatest of all time, or if heโd changed his stance in light of LeBron Jamesโ scoring dominance.
Kirk didnโt hesitate and what followed was part sports rant, part cultural commentary.
โWe Gonna Take That With an Asterisk, Right?โ
โDo you think itโs easier to score points in 2025 or in 1995 in the NBA?โ Kirk asked.
When the audience member admitted it’s easier to score today, Kirk jumped in:
โSo therefore, when we look at point totals of LeBron, we gonna take that with an asterisk, right?โ
He then pivoted to the NBAโs popularity:
โWhen was the NBA more popular โ the โ90s or today?โ
Jordan Built the League, LeBron Broke It?
Kirk argued that Jordan elevated the league, while LeBron presided over its decline:
โJordan made the NBA more popular. LeBron made the NBA a joke.โ
He went on to slam the modern league as a โ3-point contest with no defense,โ claiming crowd attendance is down, cable interest is waning, and arenas are giving away free food and beer just to fill seats.
โThe league of LeBron is going toward irrelevance. Jordan left the league at its highest ratings ever, a cultural phenomenon.โ
Jordans vs. LeBrons โ In the Streets
Kirk doubled down on cultural impact:
โWhen you go to the inner city, to Chicago or Atlanta, do you ask, โHey, are you wearing LeBrons?โ No. You ask, โAre you wearing Jordans?โโ
The implication: legacy isnโt just about points โ itโs about lasting influence.
โThe GOAT Doesnโt Need to Prove Itโ
He ended with his sharpest jab yet:
โYou know how you know youโre the GOAT? When you donโt have to keep on playing till youโre 40 just to get your kid some sort of special job.โ
โThe GOAT wins six and says, โThanks, Iโm retiring. Thanks for playing.โโ
