The term GOAT is used in all kinds of sports as an honorable title for the greatest player to ever have done it. It's a debate that has raged between NBA fans for years. NBA championships: 6 (1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) Statistics: 24.6/11.2/3.6 Bottom line: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was one of the all-time winners, a three-time champion in high school, a three-time champion in college and a six-time champion in the pros. James has accomplished more statistically at this point in his career and may be the more imposing athlete. NBA Champion, Rookie of the Year, MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Finals MVP, and 6th Man of the Year. This season's rookie class weighs in on the ultimate question: Who is the GOAT? Jordan is revered as the greatest because of his killer instinct and a rarely rivaled championship pedigree. In a poll conducted by The Athletic of 117 current NBA players, Jordan is considered the greatest of all time, and it’s not even close.. Michael Jordan (73%); LeBron James (11.9%) Kobe Bryant (10.6%) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1.7%) Magic Johnson, Allen Iverson, Kevin Durant (1%) While many will assume Jordan’s status as GOAT is etched in stone, James isn’t finished. Kyrie Irving is out of the rest of the NBA season, but has become a central figure in discussions surrounding the NBA's plan to return and play in an Orlando bubble environment in July. Pippen’s defense of Jordan’s status as GOAT comes as no surprise because Jordan’s story is, in part, his story, too. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), GOAT is an acronym for “Greatest of all time”.