LeBron James Settles The GOAT Debate: 'I’m Not Taking Nobody Over Me'

Who does LeBron James think is the greatest basketball player of all time?

The answer won’t surprise anyone.

LeBron has officially cast his vote in the never-ending GOAT debate — and he’s backing himself.

Speaking in a recent interview with Time, the four-time NBA champion was asked about comparisons with Michael Jordan and the endless arguments over who deserves basketball’s ultimate crown.

James didn’t hesitate.

“I’m not taking nobody over me,” James said. “There’s no question.”

While firmly placing himself at the top of the list, James acknowledged that every all-time great likely feels the same way.

According to the 41-year-old, confidence is part of what helped legends reach the top in the first place.

“But I think Mike will say the same thing,”

James said. “Rest his soul, Kobe will say the same thing. Magic will say the same thing. Bird will say the same thing. Shaq could say the same thing. The late great Wilt. Kareem. I don’t think none of us are going to take somebody else.”

Still, after naming some of the greatest players in basketball history, James circled right back to himself.

“If there’s a general manager and he’s eyeballing all of us on a baseline, with the No. 1 pick, it’s gonna be hard not to take me, champ.”

LeBron’s Dazzling Résumé

Whether fans agree or not, James certainly has a case.

The NBA’s all-time leading scorer surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 2023 and has continued extending the record ever since. Entering the summer of 2026, he owns more than 43,000 regular-season points and remains productive deep into his 40s.

This past season with the Los Angeles Lakers, James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game across 60 appearances despite being 41 years old.

His career résumé includes four NBA championships, four MVP awards and titles with three different franchises, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team that selected him first overall in the 2003 NBA Draft.

What Comes Next?

The GOAT debate is unlikely to end anytime soon, especially with Jordan’s six championships remaining a key argument for his supporters.

As for James, his playing future remains uncertain. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer and has yet to decide whether he will return for a record-breaking 24th NBA season or finally call time on one of the most remarkable careers in sports history.