Mike Tyson Names His Greatest NBA Player of All Time

Mike Tyson has shared his pick for the greatest NBA player of all time.

The former fighter, who broke the record for the youngest-ever boxer to win a world heavyweight championship in boxing, didn’t even stutter when Shaquille O’Neal asked Tyson to opine on the debate that tends to come down to whether one prefers Michael Jordan, who ruled through the 1990s with the Chicago Bulls, and LeBron James, who helped Cleveland Cavaliers and LA Lakers win championships.

For Tyson, the greatest is clear.

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Mike Tyson Names His Greatest NBA Player of All Time

Tyson made his feelings clear on who’s best between Michael Jordan and LeBron James

O’Neal, the podcast host, has playing awareness of both basketball icons. He notably played against Jordan in the 1990s, when Shaq played with Orlando Magic, and Jordan was still with the Chicago Bulls. O’Neal, though, played with LeBron James, but it was just for one season when they were both at Cleveland Cavaliers. James was always highly-regarded by Shaq for his leadership prowess.

Having his say, Tyson preferred the superstar from his era, and said four simple words to make his feelings clear.

If the debate were settled from NBA championships alone, then Jordan would take the ball home and keep it as he has six titles to James’s four.

Tyson, meanwhile, earned widespread praise for breaking the record for youngest heavyweight boxing champion ever when he won the belt aged 20. Tyson’s best wins were mostly in the late 1980s and included thumping wins over Trevor Berbick (to become champ), Larry Holmes, and Michael Spinks.

Another thing that links Tyson and Jordan is the fact they both became so big they transcended their sports. Tyson found greater celebrity in his post-fight career as he acted in smash-hit movies like The Hangover. He additionally has his own marijuana company called Tyson 2.0 which sells Evander Holyfield era-shaped edibles.

Jordan, meanwhile, retains a fierce competitive drive as he’s a scratch golfer, is a principal owner and chairman of NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, and has a massively successful Air Jordan brand. Jordan also owns and operates the 23XI Racing team that competes in the NASCAR Cup Series.