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Michael Jordan and LeBron James hug after the presentation of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game.

LeBron James’ longevity has long been his edge over Michael Jordan when it comes to the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) debate. Still playing at 41 years old and leading the LA Lakers in the NBA playoffs, James got another legend to affirm his brilliance as an athlete in Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. 

In his interview with The New Yorker, Kerr, who won three straight NBA championships with Jordan from 1996 to 1998 with the Chicago Bulls, said James is unlike Jordan in terms of the style of play. Despite being different, Kerr argued they are both one-of-one in their respective strengths. 

“LeBron’s brilliance doesn’t lie in the same skill set that Michael’s did,” he said. “It lies in more of a holistic game where he dominates with his pace and his athleticism and his passing. I’ve always felt scoring is secondary for LeBron, but he’s the greatest scorer in the history of the NBA.”

Not only is James on top of the all-time scoring list, but he is also fourth in assists in NBA history after playing 23 seasons in the league. 

Kerr added that James is the greatest athlete in history for how great he took care of his body and maintained such a high level of play even in his 40s. 

“Yeah, incidentally. Some of that is longevity: he’s a machine. I mean, I think he’s literally the greatest athlete on the face of the planet and in the course of human history,” he said. 

Kerr saw both James and Jordan’s greatness up close. Kerr coached against James-led Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals for four straight seasons, with the Warriors, bannered by Steph Curry, only losing once to the four-time MVP. 

Kerr and James’ squads continued to be rivals when the latter moved to LA in 2018 to join the Lakers. 

Kerr has also coached James during his stint as head coach of the 2024 Team USA, which won the Paris Olympics gold medal. 

The two have had numerous marquee meetups in the postseason since then. The two had since been vocal about their mutual respect. 

Steve Kerr Explains How Different LeBron James From Michael Jordan

GettySteve Kerr with LeBron James during the 2024 Paris Olympics.

For Steve Kerr, LeBron James is a different kind of player than Michael Jordan, who tormented his foes with his relentless take on the game. When it comes to James, Kerr barely saw any of that but understands the Lakers star excels in his all-around game, rather than the emotional and mental aspect of the sport. 

“Playing with Michael, I saw the killer instinct, the emotional dominance he had over not only the other team but the officials, the entire arena. I don’t see that with LeBron,” Kerr said.  

“So they’re different, as far as the emotional part of it. Everybody came into a series against Michael knowing they were going to lose. There’s never been anybody like that. Maybe Bill Russell. But I’ve never felt the same way on a basketball floor as I did with Michael.”

Being familiar with the team’s greats, Kerr is the perfect guy to quantify each of the two’s greatest strengths, while contrasting their games. 

At 41, LeBron James Shows He Still Has Left in the Gas

GettyLeBron James focused during Lakers playoff game amid increased role.

LeBron James has been impressive in Round 1 of the 2026 NBA playoffs, steering the LA Lakers to three straight wins against the Houston Rockets, despite missing their top two scorers, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. 

At 41, James played no less than 38 minutes in all of the games, including Game 3 overtime, where he drained clutch shots to lead the Lakers to a 3-0 edge. 

James is expected to continue being leaned on in the playoffs for the Lakers until Doncic and Reaves return to the lineup.