Travis Kelce with Donovan Mitchell at a Cleveland Cavaliers game.

Travis Kelce with Donovan Mitchell at a Cleveland Cavaliers game.LAPRESSE | MATIAS WODNER

One of the biggest debates in all of sports has been going on for quite some time. Despite LeBron James still going strong in the NBA, his legacy has been established for a while, and basketball fans have been considering him the GOAT for several years, ahead of Michael Jordan.

Generally, younger fans opt for James in the conversation, while older fans lean towards Jordan. It makes sense considering the gap in time between the two players’ primes. So when the Kansas City Chiefs social media team posed the debate question to their players, the results shouldn’t shock anyone.

Chiefs players prefer LeBron James to Michael Jordan

Unsurprisingly, Travis Kelce voted for James also. Kelce was born in Westlake, Ohio, while James was born in Akron, which is very close. That’s why Kelce let out a “Northeast Ohio” exclamation in the video.

James ended up with 17 of the votes, while MJ finished with just seven. Kobe Bryant got six. Then there were the lone picks with one vote, like Larry Bird, Carmelo Anthony and Anthony Edwards for some reason.

James is the likely pick in the conversation for newer generations, so it’s not too crazy to see a lot of the players go that route. But Jordan is still the pick for many of the ones who watched him play in his prime. Those players just don’t play in the NFL anymore.

Michael Jordan’s Career

Michael Jordan, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, had a legendary career primarily with the Chicago Bulls in the NBA. His career highlights include:

Six NBA Championships (1991-1993, 1996-1998)
Five MVP Awards (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998)
14 All-Star Selections


10 Scoring Titles
6 Finals MVPs
2 Olympic Gold Medals (1984, 1992)

Jordan was known for his scoring ability, clutch performances, and tenacious defense. He retired from basketball three times, with his final stint ending in 2003 with the Washington Wizards.

LeBron James’ Career

LeBron James, another player often mentioned in discussions of the greatest basketball players, has had a remarkable career marked by:

Four NBA Championships (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020)
Four MVP Awards (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013)
19 All-Star Selections (as of 2024)
5 Scoring Titles
4 Finals MVPs
2 Olympic Gold Medals (2008, 2012)

LeBron is known for his versatility, playmaking, and longevity. He has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers, and continues to be a dominant force in the NBA.