Max Kellerman Boldly Tells Rich Paul That Michael Jordan Is The GOAT

The sit-down interview between Max Kellerman and Rich Paul is a gold mine of sound bites and memorable clips. Already on the viral list are Paul’s claim that the Los Angeles Lakers aren’t contenders and a live phone call from ESPN’s Shams Charania that Paul took and quickly wrapped up.

Here’s another unforgettable moment from this episode of the “Game Over” podcast: an audacious, straightforward message delivered by Kellerman.

Would anyone look LeBron James’ agent in the eye and tell him that his man isn’t the greatest of all time? Apparently, Kellerman would. And did.

“To me, MJ is number one,” Kellerman said. Looking Paul straight in the eye, he added, “I think he’s decisively number one and I think LeBron is decisively number two.”

The body language says it all: When Kellerman stated his claim, Paul stared at the ceiling, then fidgeted in his seat, almost as if to express how uncomfortable he was with this turn of the conversation.

Kellerman went on to wonder if Victor Wembanyama could one day be known as the GOAT if he stays healthy in his career. At that point, the Klutch Sports CEO decided that he would get a word in for his most famous client. And Paul did so by using the analogy of stacking trophies on a shelf.

“When I was a kid, I had a ton of trophies…I would get another trophy, and I would put it up there [on my shelf]. I never took a trophy down,” Paul told Kellerman.

Translation? According to Paul, there’s room in NBA history for multiple greats. “Michael Jordan is up there,” Paul said. “If someone else comes along and they go on the same shelf as Jordan, which is LeBron, you put him up there. Kobe goes up on the shelf with Jordan.”

Paul’s answer certainly splits the difference in the never-ending, fiercely fought GOAT debate involving MJ and LBJ. While some NBA fans will disagree with the assessment that James is even on the same level as Jordan, there’s no denying that both of these icons have compelling cases for the greatest NBA player ever.

Don’t expect Kellerman to be diplomatic with his views, though. In Kellerman’s mind, there’s only one man standing on the highest summit of basketball.