As LeBron James continues to extend his legendary NBA career, break records, and push the boundaries of longevity, comparisons to Michael Jordan have only intensified. In the never-ending GOAT debate, fans and analysts point to championships, individual accolades, career length, and off-court influence. Now, Kenny Smith has entered the conversation and added a new perspective to the discussion.
In a recent interview with The New Yorker, Smith spoke about why Jordan remains in a league of his own. “I’m talking about today… It’s not even close,” the 60-year-old former point guard said. “Michael Jordan touched the fibre of basketball that no one will ever touch today.”
Kenny expanded on that thought, saying James’ influence doesn’t quite reach the level of the Chicago Bulls legend—though he did compare him to other NBA icons. “Larry Bird touched the fiber of basketball that no one’s touching today. Maybe LeBron. LeBron is touching the Larry Bird–Magic Johnson fiber. He’s not touching the Jordan fiber.”
The two-time NBA champion with the Houston Rockets in 1994 and 1995 then explained the key factor that sets MJ apart from James. “The separating point from LeBron to Michael is defense,” he said. “Michael was just as good defensively as he was offensively. He was like the Deion Sanders or Travis Hunter: you’re not throwing to his side. We’re not throwing to the Michael Jordan side of the field in a basketball game. That’s a separator.”
Kenny Smith won two NBA championships with the Houston Rockets
Indeed, on the defensive end, Jordan holds a notable edge. He was named Defensive Player of the Year in 1988, led the league in steals three times, and made the All-Defensive First Team in nine of his 15 NBA seasons. LeBron, on the other hand, has never won Defensive Player of the Year and has been selected to the All-Defensive First Team five times in 22 years.
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Smith was asked who he sees as the most Jordan-like player currently in the NBA. “Zero,” he replied confidently. When pressed on whether Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards could fit that mold, he followed up with a music analogy: “Ant is a very good, talented player. But, O.K.: are you into music? Is there anyone who has touched the fibre of music the way Michael Jackson has?”
Having played at the University of North Carolina, Kenny had the chance to get to know Jordan well. “A typical college student… I got to see someone who, as great as he was on the court, off the court he still had the insecurities of a college student,” he said of MJ.
Still, when describing Jordan’s basketball gifts, Smith didn’t hold back: “If you had to build your Frankenstein, that would be it. He can be ten feet in the air. He can beat you down the court with his sprinting. He can defend the perimeter. He can defend the post. He had the quintessential basketball body.”
After four years at North Carolina, Kenny Smith entered the NBA as the 6th overall pick in the 1987 Draft, selected by the Sacramento Kings, beginning a 10-year pro career. During that time, he faced Jordan’s Bulls multiple times, finishing with a 6–10 record. Interestingly, Smith’s two championships with the Rockets came in 1994 and 1995—during Jordan’s first retirement from basketball.
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