Doc Rivers isn’t a big fan of debating the greatest NBA players, but the longtime head coach and NBA champion spoke with former Boston Celtics stars Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce during a recent conversation Kudos to Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
“I hate the GOAT argument,” Rivers said on a new episode of the KG Certified podcast. “I’m a Michael (Jordan) guy, but that doesn’t mean there’s anything bad about LeBron (James).
“LeBron is going to have the greatest career of all time. There’s no question he’s going to have the greatest career. But to me, the only (greatest) player is Mike.”
“I don’t know why, I feel like if you say one, it means you put down the other,” Rivers added. “They’re all great.”
Jordan played for 15 seasons from 1984 to 2003, winning six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. He was a five-time MVP and a 14-time All-Star.
James, 39, is a four-time champion, four-time MVP and 19-time All-Star. He is the league’s all-time scoring leader.
“LeBron was a great player early in his career, but he was not a student,” Rivers said. “When you look at him now, it’s like he’s playing chess. It’s ridiculous to look at him now. His brain has evolved to where it is now.
“He can play forever. He’s two steps ahead before they get through.” Rivers agreed with Pierce, “We’ve never seen anything like this.”
Rivers, 62, last coached the Philadelphia 76ers, who fired him in May after three seasons. Previously, I coached the Los Angeles Clippers (2013-20) and the Boston Celtics (2004-13).
He led the Celtics to the NBA championship in 2008 with Garnett and Pierce, and coached the Orlando Magic from 1999 to 2003, winning the NBA Coach of the Year in 2000.