In a lighthearted yet revealing moment, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver recently weighed in on the league’s ever-evolving "GOAT" debate. During an event promoting the NBA Cup, social media influencer Eric Tai asked Silver: “Who is your GOAT? Who is your best player of all time?” Without hesitation, Silver responded, "Michael Jordan," before quickly adding with a smile, "And don’t tell LeBron I said that.”

Silver’s comment was unexpected, given the typically-cautious commissioner’s close relationship with LeBron and his influential role in the league. While LeBron James continues to build upon his impressive legacy—having won championships with three different teams, becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in 2023, and the first father to ever play in the league with his son—Jordan’s six championships, perfect Finals record, and cultural impact still resonate deeply with many, including Silver. The commissioner’s choice reflects a perspective shared by many who witnessed the dominance of “His Airness” during the 1990s, and underscores Jordan's lasting influence on the NBA, sneaker culture, and his role in elevating the league to global prominence.

With that said, the NBA GOAT debate is in no way exclusively between Jordan and James. Earlier this year, The Athletic conducted a poll among 133 active NBA players asking their opinion on the Greatest Of All Time, and while Jordan narrowly edged James 45.9 percent to 42.1 percent, Kobe Bryant also received 9.8 percent of the votes. Additionally, given the resumes and records of older hoopers such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson, among others—legends whom many current fans haven’t had the opportunity of watching—debates about who’s the best will likely continue as long as professional basketball is being played.