Kenny Smith Drops Bombshell: Calling LeBron #2 Isn’t Disrespect — Here’s Why Michael Jordan Is in a League of His Own! “Sorry, King James, You’re Playing Catch-Up!”

Michael Jordan is often hailed as the most complete basketball player to ever live, and NBA analyst Kenny Smith echoes this sentiment with unwavering conviction.

“Complete,” Smith says, “like Kareem was just as effective, certain people could be LeBron at times, but the most complete basketball player that ever lived is Michael Jordan.”

What does “complete” mean here?

It’s not just scoring or athleticism.

It’s the ability to master every aspect of the game at the highest level—offense, defense, mental toughness, and adaptability.

Jordan had no weaknesses.

Unlike many modern NBA stars who leap straight from high school or one-and-done college, Jordan spent three years at the University of North Carolina, facing the best college coaches who designed complex defenses—zones, man-to-man, various schemes—that forced him to develop a holistic basketball IQ.

This foundation made the NBA game easier for Jordan, who combined elite athleticism with fundamentally sound techniques—correct footwork, defensive positioning, and basketball instincts.

LeBron James, while brilliant and fundamental in his own right, isn’t often described as the most fundamentally polished player.

His game is extraordinary, but Jordan’s mastery of the basics was unmatched.

When asked to rank Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James, Kenny Smith places them as Jordan first, Kobe second, and LeBron third—though he acknowledges LeBron as the best current player.

This ranking isn’t about disrespect.

It’s about recognizing Jordan’s unique role as the originator of modern basketball greatness.

Smith likens Jordan to Marvin Gaye in music—a pioneer who set the standard for others to follow.

Jordan didn’t just play basketball; he rewrote the playbook.

He was the first great athlete to blend explosive athleticism with technical precision at an ideal size (6’6”), enabling him to dominate both big and small opponents.

His footwork, defensive prowess, and ability to guard multiple positions set a new standard.

Jordan’s dominance wasn’t just a product of talent but also the brutal era he played in.

The NBA of the 1980s and 1990s was a battleground of physicality and intensity.

Opponents like the Bad Boy Pistons, led by Isaiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer, made it their mission to break Jordan physically.

These were not mere games—they were wars.

Jordan faced relentless aggression, hand-checking, and hard fouls.

The league even changed rules, such as widening the lane and limiting hand-checking, to try to contain Jordan’s dominance.

Yet, he remained untouchable.

Contrast this with today’s NBA, where physicality is limited and players often share camaraderie with rivals.

LeBron’s toughest opponents—Roy Hibbert, Paul George—don’t carry the same ferocity as Jordan’s nemeses.

Smith emphasizes Jordan’s killer instinct—the primal drive to destroy opponents rather than merely win.

Stories abound of Jordan responding to challenges with unmatched fire: outscoring Clyde Drexler in the 1992 Finals, torching Gary Payton in 1996, and sealing his legacy with the iconic game-winning shot over Byron Russell in 1998.

Jordan’s mentality was merciless.

He didn’t seek friendship on the court; he demanded surrender.

Off the court, Jordan’s impact was equally transformative.

He turned basketball into a global phenomenon, elevating the NBA from a niche American sport to an international spectacle.

His Air Jordan sneaker line revolutionized sports marketing, creating a cultural empire that still dominates decades later.

Stars like LeBron, Zion Williamson, and others dream of signature shoes because Jordan made that dream possible.

The NBA’s global reach—games broadcast in over 200 countries, arenas named after stars, fans worldwide—is rooted in Jordan’s charisma and dominance.

Kenny Smith bluntly states: without Michael Jordan, the modern NBA collapses.

LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry benefit from the empire Jordan built.

Jordan’s career is a study in perfection: six NBA Finals appearances, six championships, six Finals MVPs, and no Game 7 losses.

His consistency and clutch performances set him apart.

Even after retiring, Jordan returned at age 38 with the Washington Wizards and dropped 40 points in a game at age 40 against younger stars—a feat bordering on mythical.

LeBron’s career, while extraordinary with four championships and four MVPs, includes moments of struggle, finals losses, and reliance on super teams.

Jordan faced no such scrutiny; he never faltered at the highest stakes.

Smith draws a sharp line: Jordan is the originator who wrote the blueprint; LeBron and others are imitators walking through doors Jordan kicked open.

Kobe Bryant studied Jordan’s every move, admiring the master’s footwork and fadeaway shot.

Stephen Curry revolutionized shooting, but his style evolved from a league Jordan elevated.

Jordan’s era was unforgiving—physical, relentless, and lacking today’s player-friendly rules.

The Bad Boy Pistons, Knicks, and Pacers were built to destroy, unlike today’s rivals.

Smith laments that Jordan’s greatness is often celebrated more abroad than at home.

In Europe, Asia, and beyond, Jordan is revered as a deity, while in the U.S., his legacy is debated and diluted.

This, Smith argues, is a betrayal of basketball’s soul.

Jordan’s impact transcends numbers and stats.

His iconic commercials, like Nike’s “Be Like Mike” and Gatorade’s campaigns, were cultural milestones.

His legendary “Flu Game” and relentless work ethic inspired generations.

Jordan’s influence has no borders or expiration date.

He authored the modern NBA’s culture, business, and global stature.

To question his greatness is to question the foundation of the sport itself.

Kenny Smith’s plea is simple: stop debating the man who built the kingdom.

Michael Jordan’s six rings, earned through blood and battle, carry unmatched weight.

His legacy remains untouchable.

He didn’t follow a path—he carved one.

He didn’t chase greatness—he defined it.

And as Kenny Smith reminds us, Jordan isn’t just the greatest; he’s the mold, unbroken and eternal.