Ray Allen’s Crushing Take: Why Michael Jordan Outshines LeBron James in the GOAT Debate

The debate over who reigns as the greatest basketball player of all time—Michael Jordan or LeBron James—has raged for years, with passionate arguments on both sides.

Yet, when one of the game’s sharpest shooters and veterans, Ray Allen, weighs in, his perspective adds a compelling voice to the conversation.

Having played alongside LeBron James and competed against Jordan, Allen’s insights carry unique weight.

His recent comments don’t just favor Jordan; they deliver a detailed critique that highlights why, in his eyes, Jordan’s skill set and legacy eclipse LeBron’s.

Ray Allen begins by emphasizing Jordan’s unparalleled versatility and dominance across multiple facets of the game.

Jordan was a master scorer from mid-range, beyond the arc, and in the post, able to take over games from virtually any position on the court.

Allen points out that Jordan’s prime years—particularly from 1987 to 1993—were nearly flawless.

During this stretch, Jordan averaged an astonishing 35 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds per playoff game, leading his team to three consecutive championships and earning five MVP awards.

His shooting efficiency was impressive, boasting a 50% field goal percentage, 36% from three-point range, and 83% from the free-throw line.

One common misconception Allen addresses is the myth that Jordan was a poor outside shooter.

Contrary to this belief, Jordan’s playoff three-point shooting was consistently strong.

For seven years, he maintained around a 36% three-point shooting percentage, even improving in the playoffs compared to the regular season.

In the 1992 NBA Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers, Jordan shot an incredible 43% from three-point range and 89% from the free-throw line, proving he could rise to the occasion when defenses dared to challenge him from deep.

In stark contrast, Allen critiques LeBron’s shooting, particularly his struggles from the free-throw line and mid-range.

While LeBron’s peak years from 2012 to 2018 featured impressive overall stats—averaging 30 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists with shooting splits of 51%, 34%, and 74%—his free-throw shooting was a notable weakness.

Allen highlights that in critical fourth-quarter moments, LeBron shot only 75% from the line, significantly lower than Jordan’s 82.9%.

LeBron’s career free-throw percentage hovers around a mediocre 73.4%, with several seasons falling below 70%.

This flaw has cost him in clutch situations, as evidenced by numerous missed crucial free throws.

Allen also brings up LeBron’s inconsistency in late-game, high-pressure shots during the playoffs.

According to game-time shooting statistics, LeBron’s success rate on shots in the final 24 seconds stands at just 35.7%, improving slightly to 39% in the final five seconds.

While these numbers might be respectable for average players, they are underwhelming for someone considered among the greatest.

Michael Jordan, on the other hand, maintained shooting percentages between 45% and 50% in similar clutch moments, including the NBA Finals, where he hit 50% of go-ahead shots in the final 24 seconds.

Another area where Allen sees a clear gap is mid-range shooting.

LeBron’s mid-range game, a critical component of scoring versatility, has been less effective, with a career average of 38.3%.

Jordan’s mid-range shooting, by comparison, was significantly better, hitting 43.3%.

Even late in his career with the Washington Wizards, Jordan led the league in mid-range makes, shooting above 41%, outperforming LeBron’s peak numbers.

Beyond statistics, Allen emphasizes the finer details of basketball skill—footwork, balance, control, and basketball IQ—and asserts that Jordan’s mastery in these areas remains superior.

Jordan was not just a scorer; he was a great defender, clutch performer, passer, and rebounder.

His only minor flaw was defending larger centers, a challenge for many perimeter players.

Overall, Allen describes Jordan as “damn near flawless” and “one of the most skilled basketball players in NBA history.”

LeBron James, while highly skilled and spectacular in his own right, does not reach the same level of overall skill mastery according to Allen.

When asked who the most skilled player of all time is, Allen believes the answer would rarely be LeBron’s name.

Instead, players like Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Larry Bird, or Stephen Curry would more commonly be mentioned.

In sum, Ray Allen’s take on the GOAT debate is clear: Michael Jordan’s skill set, peak performance, clutch ability, and shooting prowess place him above LeBron James.

While LeBron’s accomplishments and versatility are respected, Allen contends that Jordan’s near-perfect prime and superior skill level make him the definitive greatest player in NBA history.

This perspective from a player who has seen both legends up close offers a nuanced and data-backed argument in favor of Jordan.

For fans and analysts alike, Allen’s insights provide fresh fuel for one of basketball’s most enduring debates: Who truly is the greatest of all time?