NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley is not one to hold back his opinions, and in the ongoing debate over who is the greatest of all time (GOAT) in basketball, he has some definitive statements that make Michael Jordan the undisputed choice.
Barkley has always been a staunch supporter of Jordan, even though he has vowed to never speak to him. In the GOAT debate, Barkley has laid down a blueprint with three axioms that he believes make Jordan the clear choice.
The first axiom is that LeBron James is in second place and has overtaken Kobe Bryant. Barkley has been clear in his opinion that James is the second-best player ever, and his recent championship with the Los Angeles Lakers only solidifies that belief.
The second axiom is that Jordan is the only player to have won championships with a team without another all-time great. Barkley argues that while other players like James and Kobe may have played with other greats, Jordan won his titles with teams that were not as stacked with talent.
The third axiom is where Barkley’s opinion gets a little controversial. He argues that players like James and others of his era have stacked their teams and created “super teams,” which dampens their legacy. Barkley believes that players should “drive their own bus” and not rely on joining forces with other stars to win championships.
This last point is one that Barkley has been making loudly and consistently across various media platforms throughout the year. Despite some criticism, Barkley’s opinions hold weight due to his own success on the court and his status as a respected analyst.
While the GOAT debate may never be truly settled, Barkley’s three axioms provide a strong argument for why Jordan should be considered the best player of all time.
Charles Barkley Reverence for Michael Jordan: A Testament to the greatest basketball player of all time
Michael Jordan’s greatness was evident from the moment he stepped onto the NBA court. He won Rookie of the Year in a draft class that featured future legends like Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, and John Stockton. Despite not making his high school varsity team early on, he worked his way up and became a college basketball star at the University of North Carolina.
Charles Barkley, who played in the NBA during Jordan’s prime, has openly admitted that MJ was a better player. Barkley saw Jordan’s incredible talent firsthand while they were both college stars and even told his coach during the 1984 Olympic tryouts that he had never seen anything like Jordan’s skills.
Despite this, the Portland Trail Blazers famously passed on Jordan in the 1984 draft, selecting Sam Bowie instead. This decision is widely considered one of the biggest draft mistakes in NBA history.
Jordan went on to win six NBA championships, five MVP awards, and two Olympic gold medals. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, if not the greatest. His impact on the game and popular culture continues to be felt today, long after his retirement.
