SURPRISING NEWS: Dennis Rodman’s Former Teammate Chooses Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant Over LeBron James
In the ongoing debate over who holds the crown as the greatest basketball player of all time, another voice has weighed in — and it’s a familiar one to fans of the NBA’s golden era. A former teammate of Dennis Rodman recently sparked conversation by picking Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant ahead of LeBron James in his personal ranking of basketball legends.
The discussion came during a podcast interview where the unnamed ex-teammate, who played with Rodman during his time with the Chicago Bulls and other franchises, reflected on what it was like to share the court with some of the game’s most iconic players. When asked to rank Jordan, Bryant, and James, he didn’t hesitate to put Jordan at the top, followed closely by Bryant.
“Michael was just on another level — his work ethic, killer instinct, and ability to dominate in the clutch made him the greatest I’ve ever seen,” he said. “Kobe had that same mentality. He studied Jordan, emulated him, and brought that same fire to the game.”
Though he acknowledged LeBron James’s versatility, athleticism, and remarkable longevity, he felt that the intangibles — like competitiveness and sheer will to win — set Jordan and Bryant apart.
“LeBron is incredible. No doubt. Physically, he might be the most gifted player the league has ever seen. But when it comes to that do-or-die mindset, that ruthless mentality — that’s where Jordan and Kobe stood alone.”
This viewpoint aligns with sentiments shared by many players from the 1990s and early 2000s, who witnessed Jordan and Bryant dominate in an era known for its toughness and physical play. Both Jordan and Bryant were known for their relentless training regimens and a refusal to settle for anything less than victory — traits that many of their peers continue to admire.
LeBron, currently in his 22nd NBA season, continues to add to his legacy with record-breaking stats and championship rings. Still, the debate over who is the greatest will likely never be settled definitively — and perspectives will always vary depending on the era a player came from.
For fans, hearing insights from those who actually shared the locker room with basketball’s legends adds depth to the conversation — and in this case, a clear vote for MJ and Kobe over King James.