Lebron James has now edged the great Michael Jordan according to HoopsHype’s 78 greatest players ever list, after his exploits at the Paris 2024 Olympics and his consistency in his professional career.
Many believed Jordan to be the greatest NBA player of all time prior to James’ achievements in recent years, yet the tables seemed to have massively turned in favor of the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist and MVP.
According to the new 78 all time ranking of HoopsHype.com, James is now elevated to the best in the history of men’s basketball, yet he often sat in the top five, particularly in second place.
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“For the fourth consecutive year since the league released its NBA75 list, we’re updating our GOAT rankings, adding a 78th player as we leave the league’s 78th season behind,” wrote HoopsHype.
“This one comes with a momentous update at the top, one that will irk many and delight many others (especially on the younger side). For the first time, Michael Jordan, the unassailable GOAT for so many years, doesn’t hold the No. 1 spot in our ranking. This shift follows a season in which LeBron James remained one of the premier players in the league, and was actually the best on a star-studded Team USA and the Olympic tournament as a whole,” they continued.
On how the ranking is determined, HoopsHype wrote: “As in previous years, we held a team vote with the opinions of eight HoopsHype staff members, discarded the highest and lowest ranks for each player, and awarded points based on the remaining positions.”
So what changed for the 39-year-old Akron native?
According to HoopsHype, James is still considered one of the best in the world competing at the highest level after two decades in the NBA, and is the legitimate candidate to be considered the greatest basketball player ever.
King James’ longevity speaks for him, yet the invincible Michael Jordan still sits right behind him after being number one for many years, leaving an incredible legacy in the NBA and for team USA in international tournaments.
The report indicates that James has four NBA titles to his name, four MVP awards, four MVP most valuable player awards, 13 All Star NBA 1st team selections, one NBA Cup, one NBA Cup MVP, three Olympic gold and one bronze medal across four different Olympic tournaments.
James is also the 1st in scoring in NBA history, 4th in assists, 8th in steals, 30th in rebounds, and 81st in blocks and also has 20 All-Stars selections in the game’s history.
His consistency remains the most remarkable aspect of the quality he has shown over the years in basketball, as in his 21st professional season, the 39-year-old made his 20th All-Star appearance and clinched his 20th All-NBA selection while adding another gold medal in style at the just-ended Paris 2024 Olympics.
The excellence sustained by James and his elite competition at his age transcends that of the great Michael Jordan who now drops to second place on this list.
Like James, Jordan also had quite the haul of medals and accolades in his career. He won six NBA titles, was awarded MVP six times in finals, had five MVPs, 10 All-NBA 1st team selections, 14 All Stars, one Defender player of the year award, nine All-Defensive 1st Team selections and two Olympic gold medals with the USA.
Jordan was also not just one of Basketball’s greatest and iconic athletes, but was arguably considered one of the best sports athletes of all time, and his clutch ability to decide games on his own with good defense traits is one for the new generation to emulate and remember.
The gap between the two greats is of little margin, but James is still featuring in Basketball and will be eyeing further glory as he looks like he is not slowing down any time soon.
Jordan however revolutionized the game at his time at Chicago Bulls, leading the NBA scoring chart for 10 seasons and sits on the table of the United States Hall of fame while also partnering and endorsing several world known brands like the Nike Air Jordan sneakers.
He is also the first billionaire NBA player in history, but most of these records and accolades he held have now been attained by James, whose career looks to be the most consistent in the eyes of many.
