The GOAT debate in basketball is subjective and usually centers on familiar names like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. However, on Thursday, sports TV personality Nick Wright claimed Kobe’s GOAT case stemmed from comparisons to Jordan, while insisting Tim Duncan was the superior player.
Wright offered the controversial take during an appearance on “The Adam Friedland Show.”
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“I have a theory that if Jordan never existed and the universally accepted greatest player of all time was Kareem, then a guy like Tim Duncan would be in the GOAT debate,” Wright said.
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Continuing to justify his take, Wright expressed how, at times, Kobe could be a little “overrated.”
“What people turned the GOAT debate into was not who is the greatest player ever. Its who reminds me of Michael Jordan the most, Wright said. “Which is why Kobe is a touch historically overrated because he is the most similar to Michael Jordan.”
Adding to his remarks, Wright said Kobe’s similarities to Michael Jordan fueled his inclusion in GOAT debates, while insisting Tim Duncan was the better player.
“Because Mike was considered the GOAT, people elevated Kobe past a guy like Tim Duncan, who is just subjectively better than him,” Wright continued.
While Wright made a compelling case, Kobe Bryant’s resume stacks up closely with Tim Duncan’s. Both won five NBA titles, with Bryant trailing Duncan by one MVP and Finals MVP.
That said, Duncan was part of a Spurs dynasty filled with elite talent, while Bryant captured his final two championships with limited support.
Nick Wright cites media ties to the Jordan era as the reason for the split GOAT debate
LeBron James etched his name into NBA history by becoming the league’s all-time leading scorer. While many view him as the GOAT, the debate is often split between him and Michael Jordan.
According to Nick Wright, the divided debate stems from the media’s ties to the Jordan era.
“Just say the guy (LeBron) who’s obviously the greatest player ever is the greatest player ever,” Wright said (28:02 onwards). “I think the reason is that many of the most influential media figures have their legacies tied to the Jordan-era Bulls, so they’re very protective of that.”
The GOAT debate may never end, but one thing is clear: LeBron James and Michael Jordan are the greatest players of their respective generations.
Edited by Arian Kashyap
