Michael Jordan’s Long-Time Agent Fires Subtle Shot at LeBron James

The timeless GOAT debate between two of basketball’s most iconic figures—Michael Jordan and LeBron James—has entered yet another chapter.

Jordan’s long-time agent, David Falk, spoke with Abe Madkour of Sports Business Journal about various topics. Of course, the topic centered around Jordan at one point.

Falk was asked who he believes is the G.O.A.T. He quickly answered Jordan. After that, he was asked about his No. 2 on his list, for which he then answered Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or Kobe Bryant.

Falk was then asked for his opinion on Lakers superstar LeBron James. The 75-year-old said that James might be among his top 10 players of all time and threw some shade at the four-time NBA champion.

Michael Jordan and LeBron James interact after the presentation of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 20, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images
“Probably,” Falk said, before delivering the quote of the day: “I really like LeBron,” he said. “But I think if Jordan had cherry-picked what teams he wanted to be on and two other superstars, he would’ve won 15 championships.”

The debate surrounding the greatest basketball player of all time continues to stir passionate responses from fans on both sides of the Jordan vs. James discussion.

Much of the criticism aimed at Falk stems from his deeply rooted traditional views on the game—views that often reflect an older era of basketball. The legacies of Jordan and James have taken very different paths, each marked by unique challenges and triumphs.

Jordan, selected by the Chicago Bulls in 1984, spent the majority of his career in the Windy City. Though the early years were filled with postseason disappointments, the Bulls eventually assembled a championship-caliber roster around him. Jordan then led the team to six titles during the 1990s, cementing his legacy with an unmatched run of dominance.

James, on the other hand, began his NBA journey in Cleveland. Despite individual brilliance and a few deep playoff runs, the Cavaliers couldn’t provide the necessary support for a title push during his first stint.

In search of a better chance to win, James left for Miami in 2010—a move that many argue helped usher in the era of modern super-teams. He went on to win two championships with the Heat, followed by a historic title with Cleveland in 2016 and another with the Lakers in 2020.

Both players have achieved greatness in different ways, but Falk, as Jordan’s long-time agent and advocate, continues to steer the G.O.A.T. conversation in favor of his client, the five-time NBA MVP.