“LeBron James will never be Michael Jordan.”—Stephen A. Smith
I am not a basketball fan. I do, however, know who Michael Jordan and LeBron James are. (Who doesn’t?!) I came across this quote and immediately thought “Of course, not!” LeBron will never be Michael, because he is LeBron James. One of the most ridiculous things about sports (in my humble opinion) is the ongoing arguments about who is the greatest of all times (GOAT) in any particular sport and/or position. Is it not enough to simply say that one is “great”?? There is simply no way to determine who is the GOAT—in anything.
There are so many factors to consider. Jesse Owens ran on a cinder track in leather spikes—in Nazi Germany. He had nowhere near the training science available to Usain Bolt. To say one is greater than the other diminishes the accomplishments of the other.
Quarterbacks play with 10 other players against 11 other players under infinite conditions. Comparing QBs that played decades of games apart is futile.
LeBron and Michael are two men—both of whom play basketball far better than billions of people—who are very different people. Is it not enough to recognize their greatness?
We have this insatiable desire to compare people. Often, we compare ourselves to others. The discussion of GOAT, to me, is just plain silly. Everyone is unique and accomplished in his or her own way. Everyone has a unique purpose and place in the universe. Thus, the only GOATs are each of us in our own sphere of influence. Stop comparing successes. Choose, simply to be your best today and be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!