Grant Hill hails Michael Jordan as NBA GOAT but defends LeBron James' legacy: "He's lived up to the expectations"

The top two names that always come up in the NBA GOAT debate are still Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Sharing his take on the subject, NBA legend Grant Hill believes that while MJ may hold the title of the GOAT in many people's eyes, James deserves respect for the tougher challenges he has faced and has been facing both on and especially, off the court.

Hill pointed out that unlike Jordan and any other iconic NBA figure, LeBron has had to deal with scrutiny and criticism from a young age and had to live up to those lofty expectations. He also emphasized that James' ability to thrive in the face of adversity and overcome obstacles throughout his career is already considered greatness.

"In my opinion, Jordan is the G.O.A.T., but I hate the conversation because in order to justify it, we put down the other,” Hill said on The Old Man and the Three podcast in 2022. “And so it’s like, LeBron’s incredible. What he has done – the pressure from a very young age, how he’s lived up to the expectations, and what he’s had to endure that I don’t think Michael Jordan had to endure … the slander, you didn’t see or feel that or hear that back in the day. … Jordan didn’t have to experience [that]. LeBron had that added burden of just hearing it from everywhere.”

Hill took a jab at his fellow legends who always criticize LeBron

More often than not, discussions about the GOAT spark lively debates and differing opinions. Understandably, legends from the past eras usually root for Jordan over James.

Despite his undeniable talent and the numerous accolades he has received, LeBron has not been exempt from criticism, especially from the older all-time greats. For Hill, those "old heads" who constantly lambaste James are failing to truly appreciate not only the remarkable skill but also the evident impact that "The King" has brought to the game.

Some argue that LBJ does not possess the same level of mental and physical toughness and competitive edge as the players from previous eras. However, G-Hill pointed out that basketball has evolved over time, and nobody has been able to dominate the modern-day NBA the way LeBron did.

Hill also stressed that while everybody has their favorite player, it is still important to recognize greatness regardless of personal biases or generational gaps. That said, Grant is certain James deserves his flowers the same way Jordan does.

"Those old heads who love Jordan, I don’t think we fully appreciate what LeBron has done in this environment that he’s in and how he’s done things off the court," Hill explained. "He’s taken it to a whole ‘nother level – empowering his friends, building multiple platforms. … I’ve really admired him as a player and just being that face of the league for so many years. But no player has ever endured … as much vitriol and abuse and slander as LeBron James had endured."

Hill thinks LeBron elevated what MJ started in sports marketing

As an NBA team executive, Hill also acknowledges Jordan and James' impact beyond basketball. Through MJ's longtime partnership with Nike and the creation of the Air Jordan brand, Grant is convinced that "His Airness" has already transcended sports.

Hill strongly believes that Jordan played a pivotal role in opening up opportunities for NBA players outside basketball, particularly in sports marketing. But while Grant agrees that MJ established that blueprint for other athletes, he also credits LeBron with taking Michael's concept to new heights.

Through Hill's lens, Jordan proved that an NBA star could be capable of promoting himself and embarking on various business journeys. However, it was James who demonstrated that they could also leverage their platforms to not only promote themselves but also expand their brand's reach.

"I think when his story, his game, is done and his career is over with, I think his excellence on the court, without a doubt, you can put him on the Mount Rushmore, you can debate whether he's the greatest or not, but I think certainly he will be remembered for his accomplishments on the court but also off the court. I think he kind of took the mantle from the sports marketing standpoint that Michael Jordan had started, and he took it to another level," Hill once said of LeBron's legacy.

MJ and LeBron deserve equal respect

All told, the debate over who the NBA GOAT is will continue for years to come, and there will still be no right or wrong choice between Jordan and LeBron. While comparisons between the two are inevitable, it is essential to accept the fact that both iconic NBA stars achieved greatness in their own right.

It is true that Jordan's legacy is firmly established, but that doesn't mean James has not earned his place in the pantheon of GOAT candidates yet. In conclusion, both have left an indelible mark on the sport, and more importantly, both deserve equal respect and recognition for their contributions.