Three of the most iconic figures in basketball history — Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James — have combined to capture 15 NBA championships, 10 regular season MVPs and the imaginations of millions. Each of them also became cultural icons, creating long-lasting legacies with their styles, shoes, movies and activism. But with all that said, who’s the greatest? For decades fans, writers and even their peers have debated where each player lands on the all-time rankings and this magazine will finally provide the answer.
The NBA GOAT: There Can Only Be One
THREE OF A Kind • MICHAEL JORDAN, KOBE BRYANT AND LEBRON JAMES ARE LEGENDS OF THE GAME, BUT WHO’S THE TRUE GOAT?
RUNNING THE NUMBERS • COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE TERRIFIC TRIO’S STATS AND AWARDS.
BLUE HEAVEN • RAISED IN NORTH CAROLINA, MICHAEL JORDAN BECOMES A COLLEGE HOOPS ICON WITH THE TAR HEELS.
JORDAN RULES • FRUSTRATIONS GIVE WAY TO TITLES AS MICHAEL CONQUERS THE NBA—AND THE WORLD.
Perfect Partner
THE SHOT
SCHOOLBOY PRODIGY • KOBE BRYANT COMES OF AGE IN ITALY BUT TAKES HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL BY STORM IN PHILADELPHIA.
AIR’S HEIR • KOBE CHASES HIS IDOL MICHAEL JORDAN AND THEN FORGES HIS OWN INDELIBLE LEGACY.
Numbers Game
ZEN MASTER AND PUPIL
CHOSEN ONE • LEBRON JAMES OVERCOMES A DIFFICULT CHILDHOOD AND EMERGES A PREP PHENOM.
THE KING’S REIGN • ACROSS THREE CITIES AND 21 YEARS, LEBRON STAKES HIS CLAIM AS THE BEST EVER.
KOBE AND THE KING
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON(S)
GOAT VOTE • MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL, WHO’S THE GREATEST OF THEM ALL? WELL, THAT DEPENDS ON WHO YOU ASK.
Game CHANGERS • THROUGH SHOES, MOVIES, COMMERCIALS AND CHARITIES, THE STARS MAKE AN IMPACT OFF THE COURT.
SINGULAR SENSATIONS • CAREER-DEFINING JUMPERS, HISTORIC OFFENSIVE EXPLOSIONS, DESTINY-FULFILLING WINS—REVISIT THE GREATEST GAMES FOR MICHAEL, KOBE AND LEBRON.
GREAT DEBATE • FIND OUT ONCE AND FOR ALL WHO’S THE GOAT.