The NBA’s GOAT debate has been going on for decades, with LeBron James and Michael Jordan at the center of it. While fans remain divided over who deserves the crown, what happens when someone who has shared a locker room with James picks Jordan instead?

Well, that’s exactly what happened when James’ former Miami Heat teammate Mario Chalmers entered the discussion, and NBA fans certainly had plenty to say about his opinion.

Mario Chalmers Revealed Whom He Considers the GOAT

During a recent short interview with “Got Sole,” CEO Jonathan DiModica, Chalmers was asked to choose between Jordan and James as the NBA’s GOAT. The former Heat guard sided with Jordan.

However, DiModica took things further, asking whether James winning two more NBA championships would finally put him on Jordan’s level. Surprisingly, Chalmers remained firm in his stance.

He insisted that even two additional titles wouldn’t change his opinion. According to him, certain players, like Jordan, simply cannot be touched.

“He’s his own GOAT. Certain people can’t be touched. That’s just what it is,” Chalmers said.

The comments quickly drew reactions on social media.

Chalmers won two NBA championships in 2012 and 2013 as Miami’s starting point guard. Those titles came during the Heat’s famous Big Three era, which began when James joined the franchise in 2010 alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. LBJ played a crucial role in both championship runs, winning Finals MVP on each occasion.

For some fans, Chalmers’ dismissal of James’ GOAT credentials, despite their championship history, felt particularly surprising. They believed his refusal to reconsider his position suggested a personal bias against his former teammate.

“Bron got u two rings and u still ungrateful; that’s crazy im ngl,” said one fan, whereas another one said, “This is next level hate cuh.”

Another fan took a different angle. They commented, “His whole post career is mentioning Bron every time lmaooo what a dweeb.”

That reaction touches on a pattern some fans have noticed. James has remained a recurring topic in Chalmers’ recent interviews.

Interestingly, Chalmers also praised James during a 2025 appearance on Dwight Howard’s “Above the Rim with DH12” podcast, calling him the ‘best overall player’ a superstar could be. However, Chalmers still chose Jordan as his GOAT in that same conversation. Meanwhile, one fan suggested that Chalmers’ latest comments actually settled the GOAT debate.

“This ends the argument,” the user wrote.

Ultimately, Chalmers’ comments have only added another chapter to basketball’s never-ending debate. And judging by the reactions, even a former teammate’s perspective isn’t enough to bring NBA fans to an agreement.