While players gave some interesting and unique answers, such as Jonquel Jones calling Rip Hamilton her GOAT, the consensus was between LeBron and Kobe, as they were picked the most by players, along with Diana Taurasi. Interestingly, none of the WNBA stars picked Michael Jordan as their GOAT, which could be deemed controversial.
Although, that might be explained by the fact that several of the WNBA players are very young, and may not have had the chance to watch Michael Jordan in his prime, and wouldn't have been able to form that emotional connection to the player. But even then, the omission of Jordan from everyone is a little peculiar.
The WNBA just held their All-Star game this weekend, and it was an entertaining display of basketball for the WNBA, especially after their massive rise in popularity. Players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, two young stars who are credited massively for the growth in popularity of the league, had great showings.
The answers given above by several of the players show that the GOAT debate is as subjective as it has ever been in history. Almost every player, barring a few, gave unique answers as to who they think the greatest of all time is.
Is Michael Jordan's GOAT Argument Being Forgotten?
As mentioned above, none of the WNBA All-Stars named Michael Jordan as their GOAT. While this could be seen as nothing more than a preference, considering the subjectivity and time period of someone's fandom coming into play, perhaps there need to be some questions asked about MJ's perception as the GOAT.
Very few young players have named Michael Jordan as the GOAT in recent years. The most recent example is future NBA prospect Cooper Flagg, who picked Jordan over LeBron James as the GOAT. Flagg has been the rare exception from players of this generation.
Older players from the past, such as former high school stand-out Ronnie Fields, have picked Michael Jordan as the GOAT when asked. John Stockton claimed last year that LeBron James was not in the GOAT debate because of the way he used his power to surround himself with great players, something Michael Jordan never did.
It appears as though the GOAT debate now is no longer about performances and statistics as it may have been in the past, but more about how players feel about their greatest-ever star.
A lot of players in the NBA were growing up watching the likes of LeBron James and Kobe Bryant dominate in the 2000s, and are more likely to select them as their GOATs over Michael Jordan, whom they did not get the chance to watch growing up, outside of clips on the internet, or through MJ's documentary.
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