Michelle Obama, the former First Lady of the United States, alongside her brother Craig Robinson, recently appeared on the All The Smoke podcast, where they were asked to rank Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant. Despite not being a passionate basketball fan, Michelle, a Chicago native, quickly placed Michael Jordan at the top, followed by LeBron James and then Kobe Bryant, reflecting her strong connection to the Chicago Bulls legend.
Michael Jordan’s career achievements include six NBA championships, six Finals MVP awards, five regular-season MVPs, one Defensive Player of the Year award, and an impressive 10 scoring titles. Jordan never lost a Finals series, completing all six with a perfect 6-0 record and not once requiring a seventh game. His 14 All-Star selections, 11 All-NBA honors, and nine All-Defensive team appearances underscore his dominance on both ends of the court.
LeBron James, increasingly considered Jordan’s chief rival for the NBA’s greatest-ever player status, boasts four championships, four Finals MVPs, four league MVP awards, and both a scoring title and an assists title. His career longevity has allowed him to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, with 21 All-Star and All-NBA appearances each, along with six All-Defensive team nods.
Kobe Bryant’s record includes five NBA titles, two Finals MVPs, one regular season MVP, and two scoring titles. He earned 18 All-Star invitations, 15 All-NBA selections, and 12 All-Defensive team honors. Bryant’s legacy often sparks divided opinions; while some former players argue Bryant was superior to LeBron, media rankings typically place him below James. Michelle’s brother, Craig Robinson, agrees with her ranking order, placing Jordan first, then LeBron, and finally Bryant.
Barack Obama’s Perspective on the Jordan vs. LeBron Debate
Unlike Michelle, Barack Obama is an avid basketball enthusiast who has publicly shared his all-time NBA starting lineup, including both Michael Jordan and LeBron James. On the podcast DeepCut with VicBlends, Obama discussed the ongoing debate between the two legends.
I’m from Chicago and MJ remains the GOAT,
Obama stated.
I will say this, that if you’re just looking at, let’s say, a 10-year slice, I would say that MJ’s peak was higher than LeBron’s. I have to give credit to LeBron’s longevity. And so, they are both great in slightly different ways, and they are both champions.
—Barack Obama
Obama highlighted that while Jordan’s prime years might have been more dominant, LeBron’s ability to sustain an elite level of performance over two decades sets him apart. LeBron has achieved remarkable statistics even into his 22nd NBA season, averaging 24.4 points per game and showing signs of continuing his career for a few more seasons.
Though LeBron is unlikely to match Jordan’s total number of championships and major awards, his extended success means many fans believe he deserves recognition beyond traditional peak metrics.
Craig Robinson’s Memories of Michael Jordan
Michelle Obama’s brother, Craig Robinson, who played collegiate basketball at Princeton University, also shared personal insights about Michael Jordan through his training experiences with the basketball icon. These firsthand moments add a unique perspective to the discussion and reinforce the legendary status Jordan holds in both the sport and their family.
Assessing the Impact of the MJ-LeBron-Kobe Debate
The debate comparing Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant remains one of basketball’s most passionate discussions, blending accomplishments with individual preferences. Michelle Obama’s clear ranking reflects her Chicago roots and respect for Jordan’s perfect Finals record and achievements. Barack Obama’s nuanced viewpoint balances performance peaks with durability and longevity, suggesting that greatness can be measured in multiple ways.
As LeBron James continues to write his story, setting new records and extending his career, the comparison between these three NBA greats will persist in sports conversations and among fans worldwide. Each player’s legacy serves as a benchmark for future generations, emphasizing different styles of greatness—Jordan’s uncompromising excellence, LeBron’s consistency and versatility, and Bryant’s competitive intensity.