Michael Jordan has officially spoken out on LeBron James, delivering a notable assessment of the Lakers star’s play at age 40. According to Jordan, what LeBron continues to display is not merely rare longevity, but clear proof that he deserves to be mentioned alongside every great standard in NBA history.
“At 40, still playing at that level, LeBron James shows why he deserves to be placed among the greatest standards in NBA history,” Jordan stated. The remark is being viewed as one of the rare occasions in which the most iconic figure in NBA history has offered a direct and unequivocal evaluation of a superstar from a later generation—especially amid a GOAT debate that has persisted for years.
Jordan emphasized that what separates LeBron is not simply the length of his career, but the level of influence he still commands. At an age when most players have retired or faded into supporting roles, LeBron remains central to his team’s structure, shouldering responsibility and shaping outcomes on both ends of the floor—something only a select few in NBA history have ever achieved.
Jordan also highlighted LeBron’s ability to adapt as a defining factor. Once known primarily for elite athleticism and power, LeBron has evolved into a tactical leader who controls pace, reads defenses with precision, and makes consistently high-level decisions. That evolution, Jordan noted, is what has allowed LeBron to remain effective even as time naturally changes the body.
Historically, the NBA’s “greatest standards” have often been associated with short but dominant peaks. In Jordan’s view, LeBron is expanding that definition. Sustaining elite performance for more than two decades—especially at age 40—adds a dimension of greatness that goes beyond titles and statistics.
Jordan acknowledged that each era presents different challenges. Still, he suggested that what LeBron is accomplishing now exists outside typical comparisons. It is not merely a debate about accolades, but about maintaining championship-level standards under relentless physical and mental pressure for an unprecedented length of time.
With this official assessment, Michael Jordan sent a clear message: LeBron James is not just an all-time great, but a defining symbol of sustained excellence in NBA history. And as LeBron continues to perform at a high level at 40, his place among the league’s greatest standards becomes increasingly undeniable.
