There aren’t many sports debates that are more tired and played out than the NBA’s GOAT discussion. But hey, maybe NBA Draft prospect Brandon Miller deserves some credit for taking a different approach to the debate.
Even if his take was complete nonsense.
With Miller potentially heading to the Michael Jordan-owned Charlotte Hornets as the No. 2 overall pick, the Alabama star was asked about the GOAT discussion and his thoughts on LeBron James’ case for basketball’s greatest player of all-time. While the question acknowledged that the Jordan-LeBron debate usually has a generational divide, Miller said right away that he didn’t consider LeBron his basketball GOAT.
Nope. He went with, uh, Paul George…
“I actually don’t think LeBron is the GOAT of basketball… My GOAT of basketball is Paul George.”
Brandon Miller weighs in on the GOAT debate 👀
(via: @ScoopB) pic.twitter.com/mEqVz89PsM
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) June 21, 2023
Paul George would probably be shocked to hear his name brought up in that discussion, and that’s nothing against George. He’s had a great career albeit injuries have limited him the past few seasons.
Miller said that he grew up watching George and is clearly a huge fan of his game. But even in George’s best scoring season, he was outscored by a 38-year-old LeBron. That’s not even taking into account the impact LeBron makes in other facets of the game. It’s not close.
It was the oddest take from Miller, and it justifiably had fans confused.
This was how Twitter reacted
Utterly ridiculous https://t.co/PyXTxZilLh pic.twitter.com/O7PgTOTZBR
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 21, 2023
Ain’t no way Jordan lets Charlotte take this kid 2nd https://t.co/tU6EB9d1uf
— Greg (@gwiss) June 21, 2023
Paul George watching this https://t.co/jKWddGnGkb pic.twitter.com/Ngosta4aUR
— Adam Samuels (@SamuelAdams_12) June 21, 2023
Bro chasing that Podcast P episode, I see the vision https://t.co/uYeFLUG0LB
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) June 21, 2023
Meanwhile, PG: "I had to be honest to myself. In order for me to win at the highest level or get to where I want to get to. I don't think I'm the 1 guy."
Basketball! https://t.co/zOcFr4Ki7L
— Mirjam Swanson (@MirjamSwanson) June 21, 2023
MJ definitely has his pick at #2 figured out now https://t.co/YDtcselr9s
— Nico (@elitetakes_) June 21, 2023
Even Paul George doesn’t think Paul George is the GOAT of basketball https://t.co/ihsoTWz1GC
— Cameron Tabatabaie (@CTabatabaie) June 21, 2023
Don’t overthink this Charlotte. Scoot is the pick https://t.co/KZ7onTbt7A
— Isaac Harris (@IsaacLHarris) June 21, 2023
I’m not kidding I wouldn’t draft him after this https://t.co/mgQt7Nyl01
— B.W. Carlin (@BaileyCarlin) June 21, 2023
LeBron when he faces him… https://t.co/sTw5XQtotc pic.twitter.com/oAUYFp0H5b
— 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧' 𝐍𝐁𝐀 (@_Talkin_NBA) June 21, 2023
Nevermind.
Gimme Scoot. https://t.co/HLwkd22EyZ
— IG: BDahtTV (@BDAHT) June 21, 2023
First Take has swooped in with an exorbitant offer for Brandon Miller https://t.co/Nr1zHRg78l
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) June 21, 2023