The eternal “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) debate in basketball often boils down to two titans: Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Fans, analysts, and players alike have passionately weighed in, dissecting stats, championships, and legacies. In 2022, Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green stirred the pot with a viral take that sparked a fiery response from a former NBA champion, reigniting the conversation with fresh intensity.

Draymond Green, a four-time NBA champion and vocal LeBron James supporter, didn’t hold back in a 2022 video that took the basketball world by storm. A close friend of James, Green has consistently championed the Los Angeles Lakers superstar as the superior player in the GOAT debate. In his impassioned argument, Green declared that LeBron became the NBA’s best player as early as 2005, just two years after entering the league in 2003.

Who cares what he say???

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Green’s case for LeBron was multifaceted. He highlighted James’ ability to lead multiple teams to championships, including the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers. The four-time MVP’s versatility and longevity, Green argued, set him apart. At 40, James continues to dominate, a testament to his enduring greatness.

But Green didn’t stop there. He took a direct shot at Michael Jordan, claiming the Chicago Bulls legend never faced a team as formidable as the 2016 Golden State Warriors, whom Green dubbed “the greatest team ever assembled.” That Warriors squad, which included Green, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson, set an NBA record with 73 regular-season wins, surpassing the Bulls’ iconic 72-10 record from the 1995-96 season. Green pointed to LeBron’s historic 3-1 comeback in the 2016 NBA Finals, where James led the Cavaliers to a stunning championship victory over Golden State, as evidence of LeBron facing tougher competition than Jordan ever did.

“MJ didn’t beat the greatest team ever assembled, nor did he run up against the greatest team ever assembled,” Green asserted, drawing a clear line in the sand.

Green’s comments didn’t go unnoticed, especially by Ron Harper, a five-time NBA champion who played alongside Michael Jordan on the 1995-96 Bulls. That Bulls team, widely regarded as one of the greatest in NBA history, not only set a then-record 72 wins but also clinched the championship against the Seattle Supersonics. Harper, a key contributor to that historic squad, was quick to defend his former teammate.

When Green’s quote resurfaced on social media, Harper dismissed it with a blunt, “Who cares what he say???” His response was dripping with the confidence of someone who witnessed Jordan’s dominance firsthand. Harper, who won three of his five championships alongside Jordan in Chicago, has long been a vocal supporter of MJ in the GOAT debate. For him, Green’s attempt to downplay Jordan’s legacy by comparing the competition each faced was a non-starter.

The 1995-96 Bulls and the 2015-16 Warriors stand as the only NBA teams to win 70 or more games in a single season, making them natural points of comparison. However, their postseason fates diverged dramatically. The Bulls capped their record-breaking season with a championship, solidifying their place in history. The Warriors, despite their 73 wins, famously faltered in the Finals, losing to LeBron’s Cavaliers after leading 3-1—a collapse that remains a sore spot for Golden State fans.

Harper’s retort to Green carries the weight of that difference. For him, the Bulls’ ability to “finish the job” underscores Jordan’s greatness. While Green argued that LeBron faced tougher competition, Harper and Jordan loyalists counter that MJ’s era was no cakewalk. Jordan’s Bulls battled legendary teams like the Bad Boy Pistons, Magic Johnson’s Lakers, and Charles Barkley’s Suns, all while maintaining an unmatched level of dominance.

Green’s and Harper’s clash is a microcosm of the broader Jordan-LeBron debate. On one side, LeBron’s supporters, like Green, point to his versatility, longevity, and ability to elevate diverse rosters against modern, high-powered teams. On the other, Jordan’s advocates, like Harper, emphasize MJ’s perfect 6-0 Finals record, relentless competitiveness, and cultural impact as the gold standard.

Both players have undeniable claims to the throne. Jordan’s era defined basketball’s global rise, with his Airness becoming a cultural icon. LeBron, meanwhile, has thrived in an era of unprecedented athleticism and competition, rewriting the record books while leading three different franchises to titles.

Ron Harper’s sharp comeback to Draymond Green’s comments is more than just a defense of Michael Jordan—it’s a reminder that the GOAT debate is as much about loyalty and perspective as it is about stats and rings. For Harper, who shared the court with Jordan during one of the NBA’s most iconic seasons, MJ’s legacy is untouchable. For Green, who’s battled against LeBron and witnessed his greatness up close, James is the standard-bearer.