At the age of 41 and in Year 23, LeBron James is still doing things at a high level. James has the Los Angeles Lakers on the brink of making it out of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs despite the absence of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
James is averaging 21.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.5 steals in the first four games of their first-round series against the Houston Rockets.
The Lakers have a 3-1 series lead, heading into Game 5 on Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena.
LeBron James Opens Up About GOAT Debate
GettyLeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half of a game against the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena on April 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Due to the things he has been doing at his age, more and more people are naming LeBron James as the greatest player of all time over Michael Jordan.
However, it will likely remain as never-ending debate. James will always have his detractors, pointing to some of his shortcomings, regardless of the things he had done in his legendary career.
Speaking to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, “The King” has opened up about Jordan and the GOAT debate, among others.
James immediately pointed out their differences, while also ensuring that there’s respect between them. He idolized MJ growing up, paying his respects by wearing the No. 23 for the majority his career.
Does His NBA Finals Record Bother LeBron James?
GettyLeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Kaseya Center on March 19, 2026 in Miami, Florida.
One of the things that have been used against LeBron James in the GOAT debate is his NBA Finals record of 4-6. James also went to the NBA Finals eight straight times, but the focus has always been on the number of rings.
The four-time NBA champion revealed to Dave McMenamin that his 4-6 record used to bother him when he was younger but not anymore.
“When I was younger, I used to listen to it,” James said. “Like, people will really rather you not make the playoffs or lose in the first round than to lose in the Finals, which is crazy to me. And I almost feel like, ‘Is it because it’s me?’ Everybody has to say something about my career: ‘Oh, well, he made eight straight Finals, but he was only able to win three.’ ‘He’s the leading scorer in NBA history, but he’s played 23 years.'”
James added that he doesn’t fancy having a losing record in the NBA Finals. He is used to people being negative, using a different perspective to appreciate it more.
What Does Michael Jordan Think About The GOAT Debate?
Back in March, Mike Tirico asked Michael Jordan about his thoughts on the GOAT debate during an episode of Insight to Excellence on NBC Sports.
“The whole GOAT term is never going to be something that I ever will get high or low about. It just doesn’t exist to me,” Jordan said, via Sports Illustrated. “I never played against Oscar Robertson or Jerry West. I would have loved to, absolutely loved to. Just the competitor that I am. And I actually learned from them, and we paved the road to the Kobes and the LeBrons.
MJ added that people should appreciate what the older generations did for the game of basketball rather than use it in a negative way.
LeBron James Makes Feelings Clear About His 4-6 NBA Finals Record