Look, I wasn’t planning to reopen the GOAT debate today. I thought we all agreed it was permanently stuck in the “depends who you grew up with” zone for the rest of time.
But then Michael Jordan, yes, 62-year-old, cargo-pants wearing, yellow eye having, Michael Jordan. Has won the Daytona 500 (as an owner).
And on the exact same day, LeBron lost the All-Star Game, making him the loser of the most All-Star Games in NBA history.
I don’t know what to do with that information other than overreact.
Are we just now seeing peak Jordan? The guy retired from basketball decades ago and still somehow keeps accidentally adding to his legacy. Six rings, global brand icon, baseball detour, saves mankind in Space Jam, Hornets ownership era (we don’t talk about this part), and now collecting NASCAR hardware.
It’s honestly unfair. Most retired athletes (or elderly current athletes) get really into wine or pickleball. Jordan gets into motorsport dominance.
Meanwhile LeBron is still doing LeBron things, which, to be clear, are absurdly impressive: year 21, still very good at basketball. But losing the All-Star Game the same day MJ wins Daytona? That’s just tough narrative timing.
The GOAT Debate just got a new bullet point.
LeBron’s case:
- Longevity king
- All-time scoring leader
- Versatility nobody’s matched
- Still elite at an age where he is older than coaches
- Saved the Loony Tunes from being trapped inside a virtual reality in Space Jam 2 (even though they already live in virtual reality)
Jordan case:
- Six rings, no Finals losses
- Cultural icon status
- Aura
- Saved the entire galaxy in Space Jam
- Daytona 500 champion
Script writers went crazy.
Same day.
Jordan wins Daytona.
LeBron loses All-Star Game.
Jordan wins a Daytona-500 just 5 years into his NASCAR career. It took him 6 in the NBA. He is already ahead of schedule.
NASCAR dynasty incoming.