BREAKING: Michael Jordan Crowned No. 1 GOAT in Bleacher Report’s Latest Top 100 NBA Players List
In a move that has reignited one of basketball’s most heated debates, Bleacher Report has unveiled its latest Top 100 NBA Players of All Time list, and to no one’s surprise — yet to everyone’s delight — Michael Jordan has once again been crowned the undisputed No. 1 GOAT.
The announcement dropped early this morning, sending shockwaves through social media as fans, former players, and analysts flooded timelines with celebratory posts, hot takes, and the occasional “LeBron deserves it” counterargument.
Jordan, who led the Chicago Bulls to six championships in the 1990s while winning six Finals MVPs, was lauded for his “unmatched competitive fire, two-way dominance, and cultural impact that transcended the sport.” In the rankings, LeBron James claimed the No. 2 spot, praised for his longevity and all-around brilliance, while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — the NBA’s all-time leading scorer until last year — landed at No. 3.
Rounding out the top 10 were Magic Johnson (4), Bill Russell (5), Shaquille O’Neal (6), Tim Duncan (7), Larry Bird (8), Wilt Chamberlain (9), and Stephen Curry (10) — with Curry becoming the highest-ranked active player after LeBron.
Perhaps the most talked-about placement was Kobe Bryant’s ranking at No. 11, just outside the top 10, sparking intense online debates from his legion of devoted fans. Meanwhile, Nikola Jokić cracked the list at No. 17, making him the highest-ranked current big man, a testament to his meteoric rise and recent championship success with the Denver Nuggets.
Bleacher Report’s panel, made up of basketball historians, former players, and data analysts, said the ranking was based on a combination of “career achievements, peak performance, impact on the game, and legacy beyond the court.”
As the dust settles, the GOAT conversation is far from over. But for now, His Airness reigns supreme — proving that even decades after his final game, Michael Jordan’s shadow still looms largest over the game of basketball.
Fans can view the full list and detailed breakdowns on Bleacher Report’s
official site.