Latest player poll reveals NBA players voted Michael Jordan over LeBron James as the GOAT. Discover insights on shifting perceptions and reasons behind Jordan’s numbers dropping in the rankings.

The never ending GOAT debate

In a recent poll conducted among NBA players, the debate over the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) took center stage with Michael Jordan narrowly edging past LeBron James.

As per an anonymous survey done by The Athletic on league’s players, the regime divided into almost half while picking MJ and LeBron. The list consisted of as many as 142 players during March 5 and April 11.

Out of 133 votes cast, Jordan secured 61 votes, while James received 56, highlighting a close margin that reflects a diminishing lead for Jordan in successive polls.

Surprisingly, the current difference is 3.8% between the two greats of the game. But it was not the same ever since, Before getting much hype, the votes coming from the year 2019’s poll, where MJ stood at 73% and LeBron James standing at 11.9% which was later gapped in last year where Bron’s popularity saw a soaring number.

The King got 33% of the votes for the ‘Greatest’ notion whereas Jordan saw a slide in his numbers at 58.3.

Also, following these two iconic players, Kobe Bryant secured a distant third place, garnering 9.8 percent of the votes, while Stephen Curry, Magic Johnson, and Paul Pierce each received 0.8 percent.

Despite various perspectives on who the greatest of all time (GOAT) is in NBA history, the focus remains primarily on Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

With newer generations entering the league, players who didn’t directly witness Jordan’s era of dominance might not hold the same reverence for his legacy. As the NBA expands globally and new stars emerge, the allure of recent achievements may overshadow Jordan’s historical impact.

Moreover, the prevalence of social media and the digital age may further alter how current players engage with basketball history, possibly downplaying Jordan’s significance in the eyes of younger athletes.