15 NBA Legends That Played All 3 LeBron, Kobe & MJ Say Who's Better 

When you’re great, you tell everyone. When you’re the greatest, everyone tells you...

Mj was just as aggressive on defensive as he was on offense. Never worried about getting tired🧐

MJ never took a night off. I live in Sacramento and clearly in Jordan's era the Bulls did not need him to play to get the W vs the Kings but Jordan still laced em up every single time he came to Sac. Mad respect. Watching MJ and Mitch Richmond go at it was a pleasure.

Here's something no one talks about, how artistic Jordan was with the ball. His plasticity, the way he moved and flew with the ball has been copied but never matched. The excitement wasn't just on the descriptive dunks and shots made, they were, partly if not mostly on how he dunked and made those shots. It's a numbers game but there is an art to it and Jordan was in a league of his own.

Can we also point out that MJ took 2 years off to try out for baseball after the first three championships, then came back after not playing ball to win three more in a row. I was one of the lucky ones to be alive in MJ's era got to watch him play on tv and once in person. Also another little fact about MJ. No matter what team was playing at home if MJ was going to be there it was a packed house because even fans of other teams wanted to witness MJ live. It was something to see.

Anyone who actually thinks James is the GOAT. Was born after 2000. Facts 😂

The last minute of the video provides the conclusion. One shameless self promotion completely divorced from reality and one humble and respectful admiration of those who come before.

I’ve watched all three and love all three but Jordan was the most insane thing I’ve ever watched! I’m not forgetting Kareem, Magic and Larry! Those are my eras! Wasn’t alive to see Elgin Wilt and Bill! All great in their own right! Jordan just had a little something extra!

The way Iverson praises Kobe just makes me feel a certain way 👏

All these greats have spoken but people who never played in the league wanna say otherwise. MJ and Kobe are unmatched!

Dude at 12:20 was shaking his head like hell naw. Every time I see that, it cracks me up 😂

After Lebron quit and walked off the court in the finals game Heat vs Dallas he became automatically disqualified from the goat consideration. A champion does not quit period.

I like what Iverson said. Well said they forgot the Mamba #8/24

I find it weird how most players, a primary source, say that Kobe > LeBron yet the media tries its hardest to make it say LeBron > Kobe

I like the way this guy puts these videos together 👍🏼

This is the definitive compilation of takes on this (let's call it) "debate" Well done 👌

GP, summarized it the sentiment perfectly. What separates MJ and Kobe the most from lebron is that their mentality. MJ and Kobe don’t even know the meaning of tired in the heat of a game.

When you are good at something, you'll tell everyone. When you are great, they'll tell you - Walter Payton

It's fun to discuss, but so subjective. We are so fortunate to watch highlights from so many players whose talents are so incredible!

What dudes like TMac, Vince, AI meant when they said "As great as LeBron is.." is "We used to cook bron" 😂😂😂

A lot of fans in this generation didn't see how entertaining player jordan is

Its weird how NBA players who’ve seen them play put Kobe over Lebron yet the media tries their best to say that Lebron is over Kobe

Michael did it because of his generously God-given ability to fly... and Kobe did it because he poured his heart and time into it... Mamba is an amazing example of "practice will make you do it"... his whole life revolved around basketball

Guys the order goes like this: MJ, Kobe, Kareem, Magic, Bird, Shaq, Lebron. Let’s be done with this!

This why I have so much respect for MJ, even his thought process respects his predecessors. The absolute difference between elite players and great players.

I knew it's always gonna be MJ top #1 but I'm happier knowing Shaq, Charles, and Allen and many others rank Kobe over Lebron. Rest in Peace Kobe! Mamba forever!

Lanzo? Dat was a good one. You sincerely made me LOL. THX!

When you think of these player's playing one on one i think it comes down to two people, Jordan and Bird because of their confidence....i think that confidence is huge when it comes down to GOAT beating GOAT.

Different mentalities. MJ never took even a minute off. From 86-91, 5 seasons, MISSED ONE TOTAL GAME. The second 3-peat after baseball, MISSED ZERO GAMES. Nobody in this era has that mindset to ever approach Jordan's greatness.

Michael Jordan's era of defense is the hardest so rough and tougher then lebron's

Exactly what I thought ... thanks you!

Just for these 3 to be in this conversation 👌🏾

I’ll never forget watching Jordan for the first time. I was all about Magic Johnson. Then my best friend said the bulls game is coming on watch what Michael Jordan can do. I sat down like man forget Michael Jordan who the heck is Michael Jordan. Let me watch this game and see if he everything you say he is. Man that guy put on a show!! Dunks reverse Layups you name it. He was like a video game character. His moves were like next level. Good NBA players looked silly trying to hold him. That one game made me a believer. So yeah Mike will always be the greatest!

My respect for Allen Iverson for putting up the respect for Kobe. He is one of the greatest basketball player we have.RIP Mamba❤️

Morris Peterson was one. He had in depth perspective on how their offensive game was. Too bad it's hard to find any clip of him.

The common theme is that you can’t just blow Lebron past Kobe. Lebron is definitely top 10, maybe top 5, but there bumping some REALLY great players. People like wilt, Russel, and Kareem. I mean, the rivalry between wilt and Russell was legendary. I don’t think Lebron could have beat either of those guys in that same rivalry.

I love that Michael Jordan doesn't say he's the goat, which makes him more than the goat, everyone on this planet knows he's the greatest ever, even LeBron.

“ MJ ALL DAY “. Ray allen said👍👍👍

Ive always been a fan of Hakeem Olajuwon. He is the only player in NBA history to record more than 200 blocks and 200 steals in the same season.. but MJ is the goat, kobe is up their in my opinion..

Im so relieved to watch and see the facts from experts!!

I don't see Jordan when I watch LeBron,When watching LeBron, i see Magic..I see Jordan when I watch Kobe..at the end of the day..they are all great players 👍

When lbj says he's the greatest player of all time dude on his left says no.

Without Julius Erving there would be no Jordan or Kobe. He carried the ABA. Had the first huge selling shoe line. Invented the modern dunk shot and fast break. Made movies. Never got hurt. The analytic freaks say, He didn't have a great outside shot. But he had charisma. That was copied by later players. Besides basketball is a team game. Better to have an all decade team. Honorable mention for this list-Clyde Drexler. Just as talented and he carried a small market team.

If only LeBron stayed in Cleveland all his career… Then, we can start talking. That’s what MJ and Kobe did. Never left the team just for the sake of winning a ring. No matter how difficult the team situation was for MJ or Kobe, they never left.

LeBron said by him bringing Cleveland the 1st Championship made him the GOAT. M.J. did the same w/ Chicago and bringing that same team 6 Championships.

Legends and Players who actually played in NBA: MJ, Kobe, Lebron The media and others: MJ, Lebron, Kobe Lebron: I am the greatest

This has to be the most powerful prayer I have heard. I receive this. ❤❤. Thank you

Kobe even said out of his own mouth, "There's No five championships for me without Mike.....Period" #1 MJ #2 Kobe #3 LeBron

Well clipped. Reggie Miller's clip was best to me because of his unbiased approach. It came down to who played top defense too. Praise Mr. Miller for his awesomeness.

As an 80’s baby, i grew up watching Jordan and the Chicago Bulls on WGN and ABC/NBC. The NBA had way more physicality back then and players had to have great skills, this is why I give Jordan the number 1 spot. He played against the Pistons, New York Knicks and every other team who were brutal when it comes to physicality. He beat them all. Time and time again. Kobe is second because even in a “new era of basketball”, he had the greatest skill set and mental and physical toughness and was the spitting image of Jordan. And Kobe won 5 championships similar to Jordan’s 6 championships. There will never be another Jordan or Kobe. Lebron is the next best player in this era. Although he doesn’t have the greatest skill, he is powerful and makes good moves. Jordan and Kobe were good at all attributes, while Lebron is good at most or some, and he does have a few championships under his belt. Not to mention, the NBA has gotten softer nowadays and more strict on physicality and has more restrictions in general. There can possibly be another Lebron. All GOATS, but in this order (1) Jordan, (2) Kobe, (3) Lebron.

Ranking of the Post 90s generation Top5: MJ . . . . . . . . Kobe . . . . Lebron Duncan . . Curry

MICHAEL JORDAN RAISED THE BAR ON THE NBA AROUND THE WORLD 🌎 NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT THAT 🏆

I think the difference is really between the mentality of Kobe and Mike brought vs the mentality Lebron brought. Jordan and Kobe were competitive at everything. They hated losing more than anything. I don’t think they were as obsessed with being the best of all time but instead they wanted to be the best player on the floor at all times. I honestly think that’s why Kobe retired. I think he didn’t want to be the second or third best player in the league.

Lebron really can’t move past, in no specific order, MJ, Kareem, Kobe, Magic, Bird, and then in the 6-10 category there are debates. But I just don’t see him bumping any of those 5…ever.

It's funny how people forget how dominant Mike was on BOTH ends of the court... no games off, no load management, no slacking off on defense and blaming teammates for defensive break-downs. Mike took pride in shutting down the other team's star. Jordan played all regular season 82 games 9 times in his career. It's a joke that people put LeBron ahead of Kobe.

MJ's game is beauty to watch, all moves are smooth but so effective at the same time. There will never be another Mike 🐐

"I don't get 5 championships here without him" - Kobe's comment about Michael Jordan 🐐 in the Last Dance Documentary

I never count Kobe out. Michael Jordan himself said Kobe could beat him.But he said no one else could.We wouldn't be having this conversation if Kobe had of got 7 rings.Something to think about.

I love that Scalabrini trip😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

I can settle the debate. Several years before MJ retired the media started asking who’s the next MJ. They gave the title of next MJ to multiple players including Kobe and Lebron. Nobody is asking who the next Kobe or Lebron is. And after Lebron retires the debate will start again, who is the next MJ?

The moment was never too big for MJ. I saw LJ look small in the finals. MJ never let that happen.

M.J.&Kobe Bryant were the best skilled,most motivated,and tactical players to ever play the game!Labron James is 6th maybe of all time,at the most!

Mj doesnt do floppin its the killer mentality that makes him the GOAT! Its not only the stats its his character towards the game far from Lebron who claim himself as the greatest pfft.. MJ is just a clutch player cannot be bothered by anyone when he is playing! 6-0 is just a master piece.

Mike was incredible defensively as well. Consistently all nba first team defense and was the defensive player of the year in 87.

For those wondering why Kobe got left out for a while.. during his career, he played the villain so well that much of media. They didn’t start to really give him his flowers til he was about to retire.

Just remember. When they introduced the 75 greatest NBA players of all time. They named Michael Jordan last. That says all we need to know

As a Knicks fan that grew up in the 90s, I’ve seen each player in their prime and MJ is most certainly a cut above. And this is coming from someone that wishes I could say someone was better. MJ crushed my dreams every year in the playoffs

The Kobe disrespect always pissed me off. I've always had him over Lebron...who's lost more finals than he's won. Kobe 6-2. MJ 6-0

Kobe Bryant and LeBron James have zero business being mentioned in the same sentence as Michael Jordan when it comes to greatest of all-time

The case is closed. I am 62 years old and I have seen them all play. 1) MJ 2) Kobe 3) LeBron

Allen Iverson echoed my sentiments exactly, "What, they forgot about him?" Every time I hear this MJ vs. LBJ conversation it makes my taint convulse when they just forget about The Black Mamba. So disrespectful. Glad the players know. They played against them and saw them up close and personal - not the media or these fan boys.

GOAT is a tier list not exclusive to one person. So many factors in categorizing them will never leave a conclusive and satisfying answer.

You all missing Timmy. Best 2-way player, 5 titles, won 70% of his games, never a losing season, 19 straight playoff appearances.

In the Early days of the NBA, there wasn't much question who the best basketball player was. It was Wilt, and nobody questioned it. Then guys like Kareem, Dr J, Bird, Magic came along and people started to make arguments about one being better than the other, but no definitive answer to who was the greatest. They were all great in their own right. Stars of the league, and legends of the game. When Jordan came along, it was like something out of a writer's room. Within his first month as a Bull, people began to take notice of this kid who was absolutely dominating everyone. Nobody could stop him. The minute that man laced up his shoes for the first time and hit that court, he was already talked about with the likes of the greats. People questioned, just how good could this kid get? Years went by and Jordan never waivered from that mark as the best basetball player of his time. Pushed past Magic and Bird, and stood at the top of the mt. rushmore of 1980's and 1990's NBA. There was a time before Jordan where it was debated who was the best ever, when Jordan arrived, there was no longer a debate. He broke the game. now, over 20 years after he retired from the game of basketball, people still compare the stars of the league and legends of the game to his name. He will forever be the greatest basketball player to ever walk the Earth. Players will come and they will pass, but whoever joins the game today knows there is only 1 name they will compare yours too, no matter how great you are. And you know what that name is.

I've watched all 3 of their careers from the start. Jordan as a freshmen in college, Kobe and Lebron in high school. (1) Jordan, (2) Kobe, (3) Lebron. As a footnote, when Lebron was a rookie, I predicted he would become the GOAT..... but he never passed those two, and I don't base ANY of it on the number of rings. I'm talking pure basketball skill!

None of these guys could guard the great Nate Archibald in his prime. Greatest player ever

This is the way I always end this discussion: Who do other players (especially Kobe and LBJ) wear on their basketball clothes?

I never got to watch Mike, i know everything about him but i got to watch Kobe and... i've never felt more privileged to watch a basketball player.

I just love listening to Michaels humble comments about feeling embarrassed and cringing when people declare him as the greatest of all time. He said nobody knows because he never got the chance to play against Chamberlain or Russell. His response was amazing❤

I love Kobe but dude, MJ had no one to support him in those early 90s years on the Bulls. He was literally carrying that team on back and they still won. There will never be another like Jordan.

I watched all three of these guys and by far I’m taking Jordan over the two! But, Kobe would definitely be my #2 LeBron #3

This is literally the only video people need to see regarding the LeBron Vs MJ discussion... How could anyone argue with it? 🤨🤔 Just consider Ray Allen alone... He not only played against both players, but played WITH LeBron (won a championship for him) and STILL picks MJ... There is no one with an opinion that carries more credibility than that.🤦

What about "who would you rather have on your team?"

i would agree. kobe was insanely skilled. i still think jordan was thr best ever overall, but kobe was really incredible to watch too. i have always thought kobe is underrated on the best player list. i would personally put kobe ahead of lebron without a doubt. the dude just didnt miss

Webber said it all for me. For me what separates Mj and Kobe from others is the there absolute killer instinct.

If Jordan played in today's game, he'd have averaged 45+ ppg. Kobe was a great, LeBron is great, Bill Russel had an outstanding run... but MJ was on another level when it came to talent and competitiveness.

If you watch a HIGHLIGHTS REEL of all 3 of these guys, u can clearly see KOBE and JORDAN are far more superior than LEBRON when it comes down to PURE Basketball SKILL 🏀💯

Love the respect Ai has for Kobe. I wish they could've played together. When it comes down to it. The greatest player is just a straight killer on the court. There isn't any other player in history that has the same killer instinct as Mj and Kobe.

This video kind of made me realize something. You know what I'm not hearing? I'm not hearing anybody say that Lebron isn't great. And i'm hearing a lot from former players giving an homage to the players before. That's called humility. The fact that Lebron did something absolutely phenomenal, but then pats himself on the back is the whole reason we have this debate. 🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️

Jordan by far. He was a assasin on both sides of the court. Extremely letal in big games. Not only imposed himself by sheer ability, plus by his mentality. That's the origin of Mamba Mentality.

I'm just gonna say if MJ came straight out of high school playing the way he did as a rookie, never retired, and injured he would have the scoring record that probably no one can catch. Remember he only played 13 HEALTHY years and and got scoring titles for 10 of them averaging 30+ pts

Jordan was truly an unstoppable force of nature. I’ve never seen an athlete like him in any sport. Guess that’s why he was ranked greatest athlete of the 20th century.

It’s very simple Titles MJ 6 of 6 Kobe 5 of 7 Bron 4 of 10 Finals MVP MJ 6 of 6 Bron 4 of 4 Kobe 2 of 5 You can argue who’s better at second, but we all know who’s #1 EOD My personal Top 10 MJ Kareem LeBron Magic Bird Wilt Russel Duncan Shaq Kobe

Michael Jordan is above them and they know it. The phase “the Michael Jordan of” became a thing in society and it signifies excellence in whatever field. Kobe, Lebron and whoever else that came after. Are excellent no doubt in their own right but Jordan was in his own league there’s no denying it. Others going to bed, Jordan still playing ball after all the crowd left. Others can reach the summit but Jordan will forever be the mountain.

I think it's pretty clear.... MJ: Hands down best clutch player.... Kobe: Was magic with the ball... then a whole bunch of other players... Lebron: Is best at stat padding, flopping, self promotion, leaving team mates to defend by themselves as he stands around, and is the worst in the clutch, Lebron is the last guy you'd hand the ball to win game 7 final shot... but he will take it, miss, and then blame his team of 'minimals' for not helping him shoot the ball all by himself at the net.... and get nothing but air...

The reality is you can always have an argument over who the GOAT is, but after you get past the first two to three spots, then you’re simply pushing around stats. Stats don’t always tell the story of greatness. If they did, then you might ask how a guy like Rodman won so many championships? Was it just bc he played on the best teams? Could MJ have won as many without Rodman? It’s STILL a team sport, and it always will be. You cannot separate the “GOATs” from the teams they played on, ever.

I liked the Question asked to Phil Jackson about the differences between Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Both competitive but Kobe when he walks off the Basketball court it ends with Michael Jordan he will race you to the car, he wants to beat you in ping pong ,gulf his competitiveness never ended.

Whenever you see the number 23 what's your first thought? I'm glad somebody other than I remembers Kobe. How LeBron skipped over Kobe is beyond me.

No one has ever been built like James. Add his vision, dribbling, and passing ability for that size. 10 Finals. People can say he lost more than won but he brought teams to the finals that should have not been there. I'm not a Kobe or James fan or Jordan while they all played. It will be decades before we see another Lebron. Now, Jordan and Kobe were pretty to watch. Graceful, 6'6 shooting guard. Really they are all equal and one is not better than the other. They are all great but if I had to choose in a draft to build a team, I'm taking Lebron for the size and making players better on his team.

The way this video ended is amazing.