Nick Wright takes a shot at Michael Jordan, lauds LeBron James' scoring prowess since turning 38: "Your GOAT could never"

The GOAT debate between Michael Jordan and LeBron James will only grow louder as “King James” is about to take Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring crown. James’ unprecedented combination of longevity and elite play is a huge ammunition for those who push the LA Lakers superstar to be the best ever.

James has been on a tear since turning 38 last Dec. 30. His latest string of performances provided sports analyst Nick Wright further ammunition for James’ case as the greatest basketball player ever.

Here’s what Wright had to say after LeBron James dropped 37 points to lead the Lakers to a nail-biting 136-134 win over the Sacramento Kings:

“In 4 games since turning 38 years old, LeBron James is averaging 38 points per game & is undefeated. Your GOAT could never.

“Literally. He tried.”

In 4 games since turning 38 years old LeBron James is averaging 38 points per game & is undefeated. Your GOAT could never.

Literally. He tried.

Michael Jordan played 48 games as a 38-year-old guard for the Washington Wizards, per StatMuse. He averaged 24.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.5 steals. “His Airness” made 41.8% of his field goal attempts, the lowest in his career since a 41.1% clip during his retirement-shortened 1994-95 season.

The legendary Chicago Bulls guard was also coming off a three-year hiatus when he unretired to play for the Wizards. He averaged 36.9 minutes as a 38-year-old veteran, also the lowest of his career since the 1985-86 season. MJ played only seven games that season due to a broken foot and only normed 25.1 MPG.

It’s almost impossible for LeBron James to sustain this form. His best scoring year was 31.4 PPG during the 2005-06 season when he was only 21 years old. He’s been given the go-signal to do what he wants on offense as the Lakers wait for Anthony Davis’ return from injury.

LeBron James is currently averaging 38 PPG since turning 38 years old.

Unreal… 🐐 https://t.co/Q6xgZwqgUy

The soon-to-be 19x All-Star, though, is still averaging 28.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.7 assists this season. Even if he were to hit his usual production, he’d average more points, rebounds, assists and field-goal percentage than Michael Jordan at age 38.

Michael Jordan had arguably a more efficient career than LeBron James

Michael Jordan accomplished more in 15 years than LeBron James has in 20 seasons. [photo: Sky Sports]

Michael Jordan built a GOAT-worthy resume in 15 seasons in the NBA. LeBron James is currently in his 20th and is still piling on ammunition for his best-ever claim.

In 15 seasons, Jordan’s six championships and NBA Finals MVPs are two more than what James has. MJ never lost a title series while LBJ owns a dismal 4-10 in the NBA Finals. Jordan is 24-11 in those championship rounds while James is 22-33.

“King James” nearly won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award during the 2008-09 season. He would even say he was robbed of the award by voters when the trophy was given to then Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol.

Jordan won both DPOY and MVP simultaneously during the 1987-88 season and has more All-NBA Defensive team selections. His 10 scoring titles, which is nine more than James’ was accomplished in an era where it was significantly tougher to score.

Stephen Jackson tells a story about how a 47-year old Michael Jordan went off on him and his Charlotte Bobcat teammates after a loss and came into practice the next day and beat the startling lineup with backups:

"I told myself, “That's why he's the GOAT.” https://t.co/kblKU1RUDJ

James’ resume is just as GOAT-worthy. His longevity can’t be taken against him and is performing at an age when most athletes are long past their best. He has also amassed a mind-boggling number of records.

Despite not planning to when he entered the NBA in 2003, James will dethrone Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the all-time scoring king. It’s a feat that will undoubtedly push his best-ever contention to greater heights.

Michael Jordan’s 15-year career, though, was more efficient than LeBron James’.