Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has never been shy about sharing his opinions, and his latest comments on the age-old LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan debate have reignited one of basketball’s most polarizing conversations.
During a livestream with Kai Cenat, Green once again made his case for LeBron as the greatest of all time, and did so with trademark bluntness.
“MJ had Pippen. Bron was winning games with Matthew Dellavedova… that guy STINKS, no disrespect,” Green said.
Draymond Green explains why LeBron is the GOAT
“MJ had Pippen, Bron was winning games with Matthew Delladova.. that guy STINKS, no disrespect.”
(h/t @big_business_ )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 9, 2025
Green’s central point? LeBron’s ability to elevate average teammates to championship contention sets him apart. He cited Dellavedova, a gritty but limited role player, as a prime example. During the 2015 NBA Finals, Dellavedova was thrust into a starting role after Kyrie Irving’s injury, and while his hustle was praised, his skillset was far from elite.
“MJ wasn’t winning with Matthew Dellavedova,” Green added. “Unless they thought that of Steve Kerr”.
Green contrasted LeBron’s leadership with Jordan’s, suggesting that MJ always had a stacked supporting cast, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Horace Grant, and sharpshooters like Kerr and Paxson. LeBron, meanwhile, often carried top-heavy rosters with limited depth.
Green’s comments sparked immediate reactions across social media. Some praised his honesty and agreed that LeBron’s ability to win with less talent around him is underrated. Others pushed back, defending Dellavedova’s contributions and pointing out that LeBron also played alongside stars like Dwyane Wade, Kyrie Irving, and Anthony Davis.
Still, the quote—“that guy STINKS, no disrespect”, has already become meme-worthy, with fans remixing it into highlight reels and parody posts.
