Morris Chestnut has weighed in on the NBA G.O.A.T. debate. The actor chose LeBron James over Michael Jordan as the best player to ever step on the court to settle the matter.
However, the 56-year-old went one step further, crowning James as the greatest athlete in the history of the United States, regardless of sport.
During a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Chestnut was asked about his thoughts on LeBron James, prompting the thespian to predict that popular opinion will eventually favor James over Jordan in the near future.
Morris Chestnut attends the 56th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 22, 2025 in Pasadena, California.
“I’m a Michael Jordan fan,” the Watson star began, prefacing his comparison of the two NBA icons, praising Jordan’s “impact” on the sport.
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“This may be the first time you’ve heard this, but in the next few years, people will say this: LeBron James, in my opinion, is the greatest athlete in American history,” he added.
According to Chestnut, James—who has shattered numerous records and continues to play at an All-NBA caliber level—wins the debate based on the sheer longevity of his unprecedented run in the league.
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks towards the crowd during a timeout against the Denver Nuggets in the second half of the NBA Opening night game at Ball Arena on October 24, 2023 in Denver, Colorado.
“The level of sustained greatness in a sport where you have to play offense and defense to sustain that greatness for the longest period of time, who else has done it?” Morris asked.
However, when asked who was the greater champion, Chestnut conceded that honor to Jordan but maintained that James is the best athlete of all time.
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“That’s a different subject,” the California native said when asked who the superior winner was between the two, admitting that it’s “Michael Jordan, hands down.”
Michael Jordan Holding All-Star Game MVP Trophy
The comparisons between LeBron James and Michael Jordan began years prior to James playing his first NBA game. The high school prodigy was touted as a future superstar with the potential to career the sport like Jordan, who announced his third and final retirement from the NBA in 2003, once did.
Ironically, LeBron James would be selected first overall in the 2003 NBA Draft months after Jordan played in his last NBA game with the Washington Wizards.
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See Morris Chestnut’s interview on The Rich Eisen Show below.
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