Former NBA player Matt Barnes has once again sparked the GOAT debate. And the fact that he stressed is widely accepted in the basketball community as well.

Barnes appeared on a recent episode of the All The Smoke podcast. The show is hosted by Barnes and his former teammate, Stephen Jackson. Besides other discussions, the entire team of cast for the episode also delved into a chit-chat about the Lakers star, LeBron James' position on the GOAT list.

Barnes resorted to an unfiltered approach to express his views. To a question about whether he thinks James is the GOAT, he replied, "No, not to me. I think he's third, third behind MJ and Kobe."

Barnes noted that his list places Michael Jordan at the top. Kobe Bryant follows in second, with James taking the respectful third spot. He further added that the 4x champion has a great legacy. 

Jordan claims the top spot on Barnes' list due to his perfect Finals record and his role in taking the sport to global audiences. Bryant takes second for his scoring and defensive excellence, and his mental drive. 

Barnes made sure to state that his ranking does not come from a hateful perspective. He noted his deep respect for all three legends.  While Barnes relied on his direct on-court battles to define his lists, the legendary players involved in this debate have their own views. 

How the GOAT Debate Still Splits Legends and Eras

James has many times avoided stating himself as a GOAT, and he has respect for the past legends. In 2008, he said that there is only one Jordan and no one compares to him. However, his mindset shifted a bit over time. After winning the 2016 title with Cleveland, he noted that the historic comeback made him feel like the greatest player ever.

Bryant always maintained a consistent stance by placing  MJ at the top of the list. For him, the goal was building his own identity rather than chasing media comparisons. He viewed the overall debate as secondary to winning titles.

Jordan himself simply rejects the entire debate whenever he is asked. In a March 2026 interview with NBC, he called the conversation unfair because athletes compete in different eras. He praised both Bryant and James. He refuses to rank one above the other to avoid unnecessary controversies.

MJ has 6 championship rings, ten scoring titles, and a legendary defensive record. Bryant follows with 5 rings and a 20-year tenure with one franchise. Meanwhile, James is the all-time leading scorer, holding 4 rings across 3 different teams. 

The comments from Barnes prove just how subjective the basketball ranking is. The debate will surely continue for decades, as every player brings something different.

So, do you agree with Barnes' list? Who are your all-time top 3 basketball players?

Read more at Air Jordan Chronicles

Written by

Utsav Sinha

Edited by

Souvik Roy