NBA veteran Carmelo Anthony was recently asked about the GOAT debate but with a unique twist. The Kid Mero, Melo’s co-host for his 7 PM in Brooklyn podcast asked who cares more about being the GOAT, Michael Jordan or LeBron James?

Melo set the record straight by declaring the MJ is “the target.” So, he doesn’t have to worry about what people say about his legacy. The 39-year-old said that Jordan is the benchmark and everyone else that has entered the league after him, is chasing the 6x NBA champion for the throne. That makes MJ the GOAT in his eyes. So, who did MJ chase in his pursuit of greatness?

Melo said that when the Chicago Bulls legend entered the league, “MJ was talking about coming for those 11 rings.” The great Bill Russell is who he had his eyes on. Although MJ didn’t get 11 rings, he managed to do a lot more for the sport, elevating the entire league in the process. Melo then talked about LeBron and said that he is not that far off on the GOAT list anymore.

Carmelo Anthony chimes in on the GOAT debate

As for the other athletes, including the LA Lakers superstar LeBron, Melo believes that his greatness cannot be assessed on someone else’s resume. He said, “[LeBron] understands that’s what I’m coming for.” Having known LeBron for a long time and also played with him, Melo said that the 4x NBA champion “Sees that. He’s inspired by that. He’s motivated by, like, that’s my idol…he set the tone for what greatness is. Like, this is greatness and I want to be like the person that I follow, which is greatness. So I’m going on a journey of being great.”

The 10x NBA All-Star said that LeBron is on his way to that pole position. He said that the Lakers superstar has already done things that make him a permanent contender in any GOAT conversation that takes place. With a rather elaborate answer to the original question, Melo said that LeBron cares more about the debate as Jordan is the bar.

While there isn’t going to be an end to this conversation anytime soon, one thing that most people can agree on is that among the current active players in the league, LeBron and Stephen Curry are the front runners for that elite list.