The 2025 NBA season is only a few weeks away, and 
L.A. Lakers superstar LeBron James will enter his 23rd year in the association.
Shockingly, the 40-year-old small forward is still one of the best players in the world and continues to add to his extraordinary basketball resume.
James’ name frequently comes up when it comes to the GOAT debate, and this conversation is largely dominated by both him and Chicago Bulls icon Michael Jordan.
The two basketball immortals have achieved everything in the sport, and James’ cement is still not dry.
|
LeBron James and Michael Jordan NBA Career Stats |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Category |
LeBron James |
Michael Jordan |
|
Points per game |
27.0 |
30.1 |
|
Assists per game |
7.4 |
5.3 |
|
Rebounds per game |
7.5 |
6.2 |
|
Steals per game |
1.5 |
2.3 |
|
Blocks per game |
0.7 |
0.8 |
|
Career awards |
4x NBA MVP, 4x NBA Finals MVP, 21x All-Star, 13x All-NBA First Team, 4x All-NBA Second Team, 4x All-NBA Third Team |
5x NBA MVP, 6x NBA Finals MVP, 14x All-Star, 10x All-NBA First Team, 1x All-NBA Second Team |
|
NBA titles |
4 |
6 |
While LeBron has long been seen as the only active player who can catch Michael Jordan in this debate, a former All-Star once believed there was another player with a larger upside than both of these legendary wings.
Stephon Marbury revealed an active player who was better than Michael Jordan and LeBron James
Stephon Marbury played 13 seasons in the league, earning two All-Star appearances and two All-NBA team selections. The former point guard has offered his perspective on the modern game many times since his retirement, giving some hot takes in the process.
One of Marbury’s more eye-opening statements came in 2018, when then-Duke freshman Zion Williamson was just about to begin his college career.
Stephon was very high on the physically dominant power forward, and asserted on Instagram Live that Williamson was on an unprecedented trajectory.
“The reason why I would say LeBron is not the best basketball player is that he can’t shoot. Only Zion Williamson has the opportunity to be better than Michael Jordan. Zion is going to destroy the whole planet. Mt. Rushmore by himself. Zion is way better than LeBron; it’s not even close. Better than Michael Jordan.”
Zion Williams is looking for a breakout season with the New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson went on to become one of the greatest freshmen in college basketball history, winning the 2019 National College Player of the Year award.
The Salisbury, North Carolina native was subsequently selected No. 1 overall by the 
New Orleans Pelicans in the 2025 NBA Draft. Since then, Williamson has had an uneven career, only appearing in 214 of 482 games due to injuries.
|
Zion Williamson Career NBA Stats (2019-Present) |
|
|---|---|
|
Stat |
Number |
|
Points per game |
24.7 |
|
Assists per game |
4.3 |
|
Rebounds per game |
6.6 |
|
Steals per game |
1.0 |
|
Blocks per game |
0.6 |
|
Career awards |
2x All-Star, 1x NBA All-Rookie First Team |
Nevertheless, Zion has demonstrated his massive potential on several occasions, which explains his two All-Star appearances and impressive career averages.
The 25-year-old is currently in the midst of a five-year, $197 million extension with the Pelicans, and trying to finally live up to his contract during the 2025-26 season.
Williamson reportedly weighs 264 pounds, which would be the lightest he has been since being drafted. During the Pelicans’ NBA Media Day, Zion discussed what led to this body transformation and how he feels with the season on the horizon.
“We came up with a plan. From boxing to working out on the football field a lot. It’s just different, random workouts, and during that time frame last year, I really felt the shift in my body to where I was looking and going, ‘Yo this feels good. This feels good.’ I haven’t felt like this since college, high school, just where I can walk in the gym and I’m like, ‘I feel good.’”
Overall, the Pelicans’ star power forward is surely no longer chasing any kind of greatest of all-time status. But Marbury’s statement highlights how Williamson was once seen as a generational talent.
If he stays healthy and in shape, Zion should still have his best basketball ahead of him, and that should be a concern for every team in the Western Conference.
About Author
