LeBron James' ex-teammate backs Michael Jordan as NBA GOAT ahead of play-offs

One of LeBron James’ former teammates has explained why he believes Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time ahead of the NBA play-offs this weekend.

James, 41, is expected to feature for the LA Lakers when they take on the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference play-offs this weekend, while fellow star Luka Dončić will miss out through injury, with the Serbian set to miss the remainder of the season due to a hamstring tear.

LeBron is likely to view the upcoming fixture as another step towards a potential fifth championship, having previously secured the title four times – in 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2020.

However, he still has some way to go if he is to surpass Jordan’s six championships, which he won between 1991 and 1998.

Jordan and James are widely considered the greatest players to have graced the NBA, although some also include Steph Curry and Kobe Bryant in that debate.

But who better to weigh in than Mario Chalmers, who shared a dressing room with LeBron at the Miami Heat between 2010 and 2014?

Surprisingly, despite playing alongside LeBron, the 39-year-old former point guard still believes Jordan will always be the greatest.

Speaking on Run It Back, Chalmers said: “For me – this is just my opinion – I’m speaking for myself. I’m a player who wants that last-second shot and thrives in that moment. So whether I’m on the team or not, I want that player to take the shot.

To Mario Chalmers, LeBron James will NEVER be able to surpass Michael Jordan 🐐🗣️

"MJ just has the aura."@mchalmers15 | @MichelleDBeadle | @ChandlerParsons pic.twitter.com/yLOIo5OHcE

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) April 16, 2026

“I’m not saying Bron won’t do that or hasn’t done it, but Jordan just has that aura of, ‘I’m going to do it.’

“We know Bron is going to make the right play and help the team win the game. Jordan is going to go and get it. They both make the right plays at the end, but I just feel like Jordan’s aura suits me more.”

Jordan holds the record for the most game-winning buzzer-beaters in NBA history, with nine to his name. LeBron has seven, although he is often more of a facilitator than the one to take the final shot.