These days, it seems to be the rite of passage for the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft to provide the masses with his take on the league's famous GOAT debate, pinning Michael Jordan and LeBron James — and, rarely, other greats — head to head.
The top pick in 2019, Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, abandoned his Duke loyalty and went with the former UNC star, explaining that even Tar Heel fans have to understand MJ's greatness. 2020's crown jewel of the draft class, Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, was one of the few that chose neither Jordan nor James, doing so before he was drafted. Instead, he opted for a player who further boosted his argument with some unforgettable performances throughout the 2021 postseason.
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And now that Cade Cunningham is at home with the Detroit Pistons and is finally giving fans a reason to get excited, he's also providing Chicago Bulls fans with a reason to want to beat their conference rivals even more. Cunningham picked against Jordan and went with King James.
"I've seen all the Michael Jordan stuff, dude is different," Cunningham said on the "Da Windy City with Marc Carman" podcast. "I can't argue with the fact that you think he is the GOAT but in my eyes I say LeBron."
Sure, Cunningham was born in 2001, so he doesn't have the same real-time viewing experience with Jordan as he does with James. But I'd bet that he's watched a whole lot of film on both guys, and his decision is made.
Knowing that LeBron is his GOAT doesn't deter him from wanting to go up against him, however. Quite the contrary — Cunningham told Whistle Sports that he wants the best of the best to give him their all.
Cunningham appeared in three summer league contests for the Pistons, averaging 18.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks per game and making a fair share of highlight-reel plays along the way.
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