The NBA’s GOAT conversation continues to spark opinions across generations, and Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing has no doubts about where he stands.
In a candid interview, the Knicks legend was asked the age-old question: Who is the greatest of all time?
“Everybody asks that question,” Ewing said. “And to me, I think Michael Jordan is the best in my era. The way that he played and what he brought to the table.”
Jordan’s Killer Instinct: “An Assassin From Day One”
While Ewing acknowledged the greatness of both LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, his explanation pointed to what separates Jordan in his mind: a relentless mindset from the moment he stepped onto the floor.
“LeBron is great, but Michael was a killer from day one. He was an assassin from day one. I thought that LeBron had to learn how to be an assassin.”
Ewing’s comments echo a common theme among players who faced Jordan during the brutal playoff battles of the 1990s — a reverence not just for the stats, but for the ferocious will to win that defined MJ’s career.
“If You Ask Me Who I’d Want to Play With…”
That said, Ewing didn’t hesitate to praise LeBron’s all-around game and unselfishness on the court.
“He was great, now… if you ask me who would I wanna play with, I would say LeBron, because I wanna score,” Ewing joked. “LeBron is a lot like Magic. He’s a facilitator. He knows how to get people the ball.”
Even with LeBron’s longevity, unmatched passing, and his historic scoring title over Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Ewing’s GOAT vote still belongs to No. 23.
“He became a scorer as he got older, he’s great. But I’m gonna say Michael.”
GOAT Debate: Respect for LeBron, Loyalty to MJ
Ewing joins a long list of NBA legends, from Shaquille O’Neal to Isiah Thomas, who continue to place Jordan at the top, even as LeBron’s résumé grows.
For someone like Ewing, who battled Jordan countless times during high-stakes Knicks vs. Bulls playoff wars, the debate isn’t just about rings or records. It’s about mentality. And in that department?
Jordan set the standard.