The debate over the greatest basketball player of all time—who deserves the title “GOAT”—has raged for years. For many, the conversation begins and ends with Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Both have dazzled fans, broken records, and defined generations. But for David Falk, Michael Jordan’s legendary agent, there is no real contest. On a recent episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, Falk offered an insider’s perspective on why, in his eyes, Michael Jordan stands alone atop the basketball world.
Falk, who guided Jordan’s career from its earliest days, began by acknowledging LeBron’s greatness. “You’d be foolish to suggest otherwise,” he said. “His longevity, his consistency—they’re amazing.” But Falk quickly pivoted to what, in his view, sets Michael apart.
Changing the Game—On and Off the Court
Falk’s first point was about the evolution of basketball itself. Before Jordan, NBA teams were built around dominant centers: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, and others. “Prior to Jordan, you needed the Olajuwons, the Kareems, the Bob Lanier types. Michael made it unnecessary to have a great center,” Falk explained. The Bulls won championships with role players at center—Bill Cartwright, Luc Longley, Bill Wennington—because Jordan’s style redefined what it took to win.
But Michael’s impact stretched far beyond the hardwood. “Michael broke down every barrier that existed for professional basketball players, especially African-American players, to become national marketing brand ambassadors,” Falk said. Before Jordan, stars like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird had some endorsements, but they never became global icons. “A whole generation of LeBrons, Kobes, Steph Currys having their own shoes and being in commercials did not exist before Michael.”
Jordan was the NBA’s first true global superstar. He was the first player to become a billionaire, the first to become a majority owner of an NBA team, and the man who changed how athletes dressed, how they were marketed, and how they were perceived worldwide. “He made bald beautiful,” Falk joked. “He changed the look of the game with long shorts.”
The GOAT Debate—Statistics and Impact
Falk acknowledged that comparing stats—points, championships, MVPs—can be subjective, especially across eras. But he argued that Jordan’s impact was “extremely broad and deep,” reshaping the NBA culturally, financially, and globally. “No other player in history had that kind of impact,” he said.
Some, like LeBron’s agent Rich Paul, argue that LeBron faces greater challenges. The modern 24/7 news cycle, the scrutiny of social media, and constant criticism create pressures Jordan never faced. Falk disagreed. “When you’re the best at anything, there’s a tendency to tear people down. Michael had that because of his immense popularity. People criticized him for not being political enough, for not supporting particular candidates. He faced enormous scrutiny.”
Falk also pointed out that the game itself has changed. “The average NBA team today takes a third more shots than they did in Jordan’s era. When Jordan averaged 38 points, if you increase that by a third, he’d average 52 today. And he only took 1.7 threes per game. He could have averaged almost anything he wanted, but all he cared about was winning.”
Jordan’s six-for-six record in NBA Finals, never losing a championship series or even letting one reach a Game 7, is unmatched. “That’s the Michael Jordan we’re talking about,” Falk said.
Player Empowerment—Then and Now
The conversation shifted to player empowerment. Today’s stars, LeBron included, are celebrated for controlling their destinies—choosing teams, demanding trades, and building their brands. But Falk argued that true empowerment existed in Jordan’s era, too, though it was exercised differently.
In the 1980s, Falk helped Patrick Ewing become the first rookie to be the highest-paid player in the league, and he negotiated unique contract clauses for Jordan—like the “Love of the Game” clause, allowing Michael to play pickup games in the summer. “Players have always had tremendous power, but today, I don’t think they use it as judiciously as they should if the goal is to grow the business.”
Falk criticized the trend of public trade demands and agents airing grievances in the media. “Every time an agent comes out and says, ‘My player isn’t getting enough playing time or money,’ they’re advertising that they’ve done a lousy job as an agent. These things should be handled privately.”
He shared a story about Darius Miles, a talented young player who wasn’t working hard enough. Instead of complaining publicly, Falk spoke to both Miles and his coach, helping Miles understand that effort leads to opportunity. The next night, Miles played 30 minutes and scored 21 points. “Most coaches today are afraid to tell players they’re not working hard enough. There needs to be more honest communication,” Falk said.
Respect for the Game
Falk believes that Jordan’s era showed greater respect for the game. He recalled how, when Jordan was recruited to join the Washington Wizards as president, Michael insisted that franchise legend Wes Unseld stay on, out of respect for those who paved the way. “Michael had a tremendous respect for the players before him,” Falk said.
He also noted that, despite differences with Bulls GM Jerry Krause, Jordan kept their disputes private. “He always expressed a tremendous respect for the game and those who built it.”
The Legacy—Why There Will Never Be Another Michael
As the conversation wound down, Falk reflected on what truly separates Jordan from everyone else. “It’s not how many games he won or points he scored. It’s the impact he made on the game in so many areas. There will never be another Michael. He came from an incredible family, had an incredible coach, and changed the game forever.”
Falk closed by emphasizing that the GOAT debate isn’t about disrespecting LeBron. “LeBron’s earned my respect a long time ago. But what separates Michael is his singular, transformative impact on the sport and its culture.”
For David Falk, and for many who witnessed Jordan’s era, the answer is clear: Michael Jordan is the greatest of all time—not just for what he did on the court, but for how he changed the game, inspired generations, and became a global icon. And in the end, that legacy is what makes him the GOAT.
