LeBron James Crowns Himself the GOAT: “There’s No Doubt”

Confidence is a driving force for LeBron James, who has declared himself the greatest player in history while contemplating his retirement timeline and his role in the Los Angeles Lakers' transition to the Luka Dončić era.

In an extensive feature published by Time magazine, LeBron James weighed in on the perennial GOAT debate, confidently placing himself at the top. “I wouldn’t pick anybody over me,” the four-time NBA champion stated, adding, “There’s no doubt.”

The 41-year-old Lakers star acknowledged that other legendary figures would approach the question with similar self-assurance. “Mike would say the same thing. Kobe, rest in peace, would say the same thing. Magic would say the same thing. Bird would say the same thing. Shaq could say the same thing. The late great Wilt. Kareem. I don’t think any of us would pick anybody else,” he noted.

“If there’s a GM looking at all of us on the baseline and he has the first pick, it’s going to be very hard for him not to pick me,” James insisted.

As he approaches unrestricted free agency, the Akron native made it clear that his ultimate decision to retire hinges entirely on his mental state.

“It’s all mental,” James explained regarding a potential 24th season in his career. “The body will follow wherever the mind goes. When I no longer have the love for arriving at arenas five hours before a game to begin my preparation, if I no longer love going to practice two and a half hours early, then I’ll know I’m done. Because then I’ll start cheating the game,” LeBron added.

Looking ahead to the 2026/27 regular season, the Lakers find themselves at a complex operational crossroads. The team has already shifted its primary focus towards Slovenian superstar Luka Dončić, while simultaneously navigating the final chapters of James' historic career.