“It’s not fair, you know, but it’s a standard of measurement. When I came in, [it was] Dr. J, Elgin Baylor. It’s just a standard of measurement for people to compare to. But there’s never going to be another Michael Jordan. There’s never going to be another Dr. J. Magic Johnson. Larry Bird.
Now, there’s gonna be a Kobe Bryant, there’s gonna be a Grant Hill, Anfernee Hardaway. These guys are going to have similar traits, it’s how they manifest those traits to be the best basketball player, the best role model that they can be.”
That wasn’t the last time Jordan spoke on the subject. The Bulls icon has since been honest about who he thinks deserves the GOAT title – and it’s not himself.
In 2009, Jordan told Michael Wilbon that he “doesn’t want” the title because he hasn’t played against legends in the league prior to himself — like Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West.