Allen Iverson Weighs in on GOAT Debate, Says It's MJ, Kobe, and 'Then Everyone Else'

Allen Iverson generated headlines this week as the Pro Basketball Hall of Famer shared his latest opinion on the NBA's ongoing debate about the greatest player of all time.

Iverson, like many NBA legends, has consistently praised Michael Jordan as the GOAT, particularly in the face of discussions about LeBron James posing a significant challenge to Jordan's legacy. In a recent interview with Rachel Nichols on her Showtime series, Headliners, the 76ers icon reiterated his stance, also revealing his choice for MJ's closest competition: the late Kobe Bryant. Iverson expressed, "I’ve never seen nobody as competitive as him but Mike. Like, when people talk about your favorite players, or the best players in the world, I say Mike, and I say Kobe, you know what I mean? And then everybody else."

While Iverson's selection of Jordan as the greatest player is expected, his endorsement of Bryant as the NBA's second-best player of all time may raise eyebrows, especially considering Iverson has previously referred to LeBron James as "God’s gift to the basketball world," acknowledging James as the league's leading scorer. Despite their historic rivalry, the mutual respect between Iverson and Bryant remains timeless. When Nichols asked if James is "after that," Iverson confirmed, "Definitely, definitely after that."

Whether Iverson's perspective will evolve in the future remains uncertain. Currently, the legendary guard seems to place Jordan and Bryant's legacies at the top, with acknowledgment that James, now in his 21st year in the league with the Los Angeles Lakers, is still crafting his own narrative.