Rick Pitino may be fully back in the good graces of Big Blue Nation, but his latest comments might have a few LeBron fans foaming at the mouth.
The Hall of Famer and former Kentucky coach took to X this week and weighed in on one of the most heated debates in sports: Who’s the GOAT?
"“So many times I'm asked who’s the GOAT. I try and stay away from that, but I will say if it's one game or one series, who’s the one player I don't want to plan against, then the answer becomes easy - MJ! Also many will be surprised at this, but the most underrated star of all time is Larry Bird. Rebounds, passes, and scores inside and outside and so damn smart. Top 4 of all time.""Rick Pitino via X
And just like that, Pitino dropped the mic.
Let’s be honest: he’s right. As great as LeBron James is — and he's one of the greatest ever — Michael Jordan remains the real standard of basketball greatness. Let’s break it down, using both numbers and some good old-fashioned storytelling.
The case for MJ: Dominance in every era
Michael Jordan wasn’t just great; he was unstoppable in ways few athletes in any sport have ever been.
- 6 NBA Championships (6-0 in the Finals)
- 5 MVPs
- 10 Scoring Titles
- 14 All-Star Selections
- 10 All-NBA First Teams
- 9-time All-Defensive First Team
- 6 NBA Finals MVPs
- Career averages: 30.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, 2.3 SPG
And let’s not forget: he led the league in scoring every full season he played in the 1990s and one of the most feared athletes ever.
When the moment demanded greatness, Jordan delivered every time. In the NBA Finals alone, he averaged 33.6 PPG across his six appearances, shooting 48% while carrying Chicago through every clutch situation imaginable.
LeBron’s greatness — but the Gap is Clear
Yes, LeBron has built an incredible résumé:
- 4 NBA Championships (4-6 in Finals)
- 4 MVPs
- 19 All-Star Selections (and counting)
- All-time leading scorer in NBA history
Where LeBron shines is his incredible longevity and all-around skill set. His ability to sustain greatness into his 20th season is remarkable. In an era where players are able to play longer thanks to science, nutrition, and dedication, Lebron and Tom Brady lead the field.
But when it comes to sheer dominance in the moments that define legacies — Finals wins, clutch shots, and killer instinct — Jordan still holds the edge and it's not really close.
- Jordan never needed a Game 7 in the Finals.
- Jordan never lost in the Finals.
- Jordan took every challenge personally — and conquered it.
- A much more physical era
As Pitino basically implied: if your life depended on one game, who do you trust? MJ.
The Larry Bird factor — Pitino’s underrated genius
Pitino didn’t stop at MJ. He also gave some flowers to another legend:
“The most underrated star of all time is Larry Bird.”
Bird’s greatness often gets overshadowed in modern debates, but the numbers tell the truth:
- 3 NBA Championships
- 3 MVPs (in a row, 1984-86)
- 12 All-Star Selections
- Career averages: 24.3 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 6.3 APG
What made Bird special wasn’t just the stats — it was how he played. He was one of the all-time greatest trash talkers and one of the most clutch performers in league history.
Here are a few classic Bird stories that still circulate:
Calling his shots: Before the 1986 Three-Point Contest, Bird reportedly walked into the locker room, looked around and said, “Which one of you is finishing second?” Then he went on to win.
Fight with Dr. J: Julius Erving was a legend, but don't tell Larry Legend. In a matchup with the Celtics and Sixers, he kept calling Dr. J and old man. Saying someone better gaurd him, until eventually Dr. J had couldn't take it anymore.
Game-winner forecasts: On multiple occasions, Bird told opponents exactly how he was going to beat them — and then did it.
Complete game: He could rebound like a center, pass like a point guard, and shoot like few others in league history.
Pitino calling Bird “top 4 of all time” isn’t some hot take—it’s a recognition of a skillset that often gets buried in modern debates. In fact, LeBron is closer to Bird than Jordan.
Bottom line: Pitino’s got this one right
Michael Jordan is the best basketball player ever, and it is not a close debate. Frame it however you want, but Pitino is right. You need a win, you bring in MJ. And in Big Blue Nation, they'll always appreciate that the man who led Kentucky back to prominence; except when the Cats play St. John's next season.
Now it’s your turn, BBN:
- Is Pitino right? Is Jordan still the undisputed GOAT?
- Where do you rank Bird among the all-time greats?
Drop your takes — let’s hear it!