Former NBA player Brendan Haywood, who was a teammate of LeBron James during the 2014-2015 season, remembered telling The King his choice for the GOAT was Michael Jordan.
It was LeBron’s first season back with the Cleveland Cavaliers after winning two championships with the Miami Heat. According to Haywood, some of the qualities that James learned over the years were present with Jordan right away. He mentioned the ability to close out games, confidence, competing defensively.
Haywood also remembered LeBron’s reaction when he heard him reveal his GOAT pick. According to him, James just nodded his head and did not say much.
Per Bryan Kalbrosky of HoopsHype:
“One of the more interesting things is that I had the GOAT conversation with LeBron. We were on the plane and I told him: “I love you, brother, but I have to go with Mike.” I told him my reasons. I’ve had this conversation with him face-to-face. Six rings. Six MVPs. The guy has had two different three-peats and has never been to a Game 7. He was MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season. I played with both of them and what LeBron has slowly but surely turned into from a confidence standpoint, MJ was that the first time he walked in the league. LeBron has gotten so much better at that. He has grown into a guy that close out games. Michael always had that ability. Michael always competed defensively. Both of those guys are incredible competitors. They do things differently. The biggest difference is that MJ is a cold-blooded killer. He is an assassin. LeBron is more respected and loved. He is loved by his teammates and he is respected by his opponents. So when we had the GOAT debate, LeBron was just kind of nodding his head. He didn’t really say much.”
The Los Angeles Lakers superstar has won two titles since this conversation happened. He won a championship with the Cavs in 2016 and another one with the Lakers this past season.
