Former Cleveland Cavaliers champion Richard Jefferson, now retired, offered a surprising take on the NBA’s GOAT debate.

© Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesESPN NBA analyst Richard Jefferson walks off the court to broadcast a semifinal game of the Emirates NBA Cup between the Houston Rockets and the Oklahoma City Thunder at T-Mobile Arena on December 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Thunder defeated the Rockets 111-96.

The never-ending GOAT debate in the NBA has sparked countless takes over the years, and former NBA champion Richard Jefferson is the latest to share his perspective.

While Jefferson may not have had a Hall of Fame career himself, his insights carry weight, after all, he played alongside three of the most iconic names in basketball history: Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant.

As expected, opinions vary widely when it comes to naming the greatest of all time. Many continue to crown Jordan as the GOAT, while others argue LeBron James deserves the title due to his longevity and record-breaking stats.

Jefferson, however, brought a nuanced and surprising view to the table during a 2024 appearance on the Chrissy Chaos podcast hosted by Chris Distefano.

“If we break it down, the most successful player of all time in the NBA is Bill Russell. The greatest basketball career was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s,” Jefferson said, adding complexity to the often black-and-white debate.

On Michael Jordan, Jefferson praised his Finals dominance: “When he got to the NBA Finals, he delivered. He was absolutely outstanding.”

 As for LeBron James, Jefferson highlighted his unmatched statistical impact: “If we talk about stats and numbers combined, LeBron stands out. No one can match the numbers he’s put up in today’s NBA.”

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers standout.

Jefferson’s final decision on the GOAT debate

Former NBA champion with the Cavaliers has never shied away from sharing bold takes, especially when it comes to the greatest of all time (GOAT) debate.

But instead of settling on just one legend, Jefferson made a case for appreciating greatness across different categories.

“Each one of them did something better than the other,” Jefferson said.Rather than declaring a single winner, he acknowledged that greatness comes in many forms, and each all-time great has a unique case.

Still, Jefferson pointed to one name who stands out in a specific area. “When it comes to longevity, LeBron should be in that conversation,” he explained. “How long can you be great? That’s part of the stat, and LeBron has been the greatest for the longest.”

His perspective adds nuance to a debate often viewed in black and white. While some fans are adamant that no one surpasses Michael Jordan, Jefferson suggests there’s room to appreciate what each icon brings to the table.

Jefferson recalls the time LeBron yelled at him

Jefferson also reflected on a heated moment with LeBron James during their time as teammates. While some might take issue with being shouted at by a superstar, Jefferson took it in stride.

“It’s actually not that bad,” he said. “Most of the time, we’re self-aware. If I mess up, I know I messed up. And sometimes I deserve to get yelled at, so I don’t have a problem with it.”