A new voice has weighed in on the Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James debate. Former Knicks star John Starks offered a sharp critique of James' career path, focusing on one key difference that he believes separates the two legends.

Every now and then, there is someone adding a fresh perspective to the Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James GOAT debate. In a never-ending conversation, facts and emotions add to perspective alike without an end to the debate.  

With that said, John Starks was one of Michael Jordan's primary rivals during the 1990s. The former New York Knicks star, who competed against Jordan in the Chicago Bulls legend’s prime, ranked his opponent over James for one particular reason. 

“Michael was just a different animal... his mentality, his will to overcome anything on the court,” he said. “He pushed [his teammates] to get to his level. He knew that he had to get them up from a mental standpoint in order to get past Detroit.

You’re talking about Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, B.J. Armstrong, Steve Kerr... Michael took these homegrown guys, drafted guys, and he raised them. He took simple pieces and made them into a championship team.”

Starks contrasted James’ career against MJ and said that the former joined talented rosters everywhere he went to win championships. 

“LeBron really didn’t grow nobody. He joined talent,” Starks added. “Talent had to come to him. He went to Miami and joined Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. He came back to Cleveland because of Kyrie [Irving]. Then he headed out to the Lakers and brought Anthony Davis with him. That’s where I give [Jordan] the advantage over LeBron.”

Starks’ take on Jordan’s legacy isn’t exaggerated. His take on LeBron is a twisted version of the previous allegations against the Lakers star that he joined superteams to win championships. But is it really the case? Let’s do a little bit of digging. 

Is John Starks’ Claim About LeBron James’ Valid?

Since joining the NBA, LeBron has played on three different teams and won four championships. He reached his first NBA Finals in 2007, carrying an underdog Cleveland team through the Eastern Conference. Yes, he did join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, but they didn’t win until James took the leader’s role. 

In his third title win in 2016, his Cleveland team with Kyrie Irving was still the underdog. Moreover, the 2016 Warriors were the winningest team in NBA history, with the first unanimous MVP leading them. 

In all four titles that James won, except for Miami, none of his secondary star teammates in Cleveland or the Lakers were champions before. Moreover, joining with another great player never warrants a championship. LeBron won because he was able to elevate his teammates on occasion, and the biggest example was in 2018 when he ran through the East without a star by his side.

Jordan’s greatness didn’t just show on the basketball court. He was a player who transcended the sport, elevating basketball's global popularity. Jordan carried himself like an absolute megastar and yet remained humbled in the face of comparisons. Jordan can be legitimately given his GOAT status without undermining LeBron James’ greatness.

Read more at Air Jordan Chronicles!

Written by

Nandjee Ranjan

Edited by

Ashvinkumar Patil