In this year’s poll, a total of 133 players had their say in the perennial debate over who deserves the title of the greatest basketball player of all time (GOAT). The results revealed a neck-and-neck competition between two titans of the sport: the iconic Chicago Bulls legend, Michael Jordan, and the illustrious Los Angeles Lakers superstar, LeBron James. Jordan secured the lead with 45.9% of the votes, while James closely followed with 42.1%.

What makes this year’s outcome particularly noteworthy is the slim margin by which Jordan claimed the top spot, marking the first time in the poll’s history that his lead has been so narrow. The evolution of this debate can be traced back to the poll’s inception in 2019, where Jordan dominated with an overwhelming 73% of the votes compared to James’ modest 11.9%. Following a hiatus during the pandemic, the survey resumed in 2023, with Jordan maintaining a commanding lead at 58.3% over James’ 33%.

The Athletic’s Sean Amick attributes James’ remarkable climb in the rankings to his unparalleled longevity in the game. Despite approaching his 40th birthday, James continues to exhibit greatness on the court, earning widespread recognition as one of today’s premier players. While Jordan’s career was undeniably legendary, spanning 14 seasons and boasting numerous accolades, including six NBA Finals victories and five MVP awards, many players contend that James’ sustained excellence over more than two decades elevates him to the pinnacle of greatness.

Comparatively, when Jordan was James’ current age, he was mired in the twilight of his career, enduring two lackluster seasons with the Washington Wizards. Despite posting respectable statistics, Jordan’s tenure with the struggling Wizards contrasted sharply with his illustrious tenure with the Bulls. In contrast, James has showcased a late-career resurgence, achieving remarkable milestones such as surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record and leading the Lakers to the Western Conference finals and an inaugural In-Season Tournament title.

James’ recent achievements further solidify his legacy as a transcendent figure in the sport. In February of this year, he made history by becoming the first player to be named to a 20th All-Star team. Additionally, he joins elite company alongside Nikola Jokić and Luka Dončić as one of only three players to maintain averages of at least 25 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds in the current season.

In addition to Jordan and James, the poll also considered other basketball luminaries in the GOAT race, including the legendary Kobe Bryant, the sharpshooting Stephen Curry, the tenacious Paul Pierce, and the incomparable Magic Johnson. Bryant secured the third spot with 9.8% of the votes, while Curry, Pierce, and Johnson each garnered 0.8%.

As the debate rages on, fans and analysts alike eagerly await the next chapter in basketball’s ongoing saga of greatness. For the latest updates on news, weather, sports, and streaming video, be sure to tune in to KTLA.