The GOAT debate in basketball has mostly almost been around only two figures in the NBA – Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Almost everyone unequivocally adds both Jordan and James to their Mount Rushmore of basketball greats. However, WWE superstar Randy Orton seems to have some special reservations against placing LeBron James within the GOAT status.
Orton’s crude remark about James surfaced after his appearance on fellow WWE superstar Cody Rhodes’ What Do You Wanna Talk About? Show. In an attempt to ask Orton a question on professional wrestling’s GOAT, Rhodes said, “A conversation is going around about the GOAT. Greatest of all time…Just like in all sports, they talk about LeBron, Michael [Jordan], all the different things.”
Hearing LeBron James’ name seemed to trigger the nerve of the 14x World Champion. Before Rhodes could even finish the question, Orton replied, “F**k LeBron,” without giving any further context to his statement. Rhodes did not probe him about this uncalled hatred for James either.
Regarding the GOAT debate, Orton believes there cannot be any greatest of all time for any sport. On that note, he added, “I don’t think that there is a GOAT. I like the Mt. Rushmore… I like, ‘Who’s your top five, top 10, even top 20.’”
For Orton, no athlete can solely be responsible for the growth and popularity of a sport. However, what left fans unsettled was his previous remark on LeBron James. But if we were to consider his take on the GOAT debate, perhaps Orton has some respect for the four-time NBA champion and his impact on the league and the game of basketball.
