Knicks' Jalen Brunson wouldn't call LeBron James the GOAT for one reason

Many players around the NBA respect LeBron James, but some also won't call him the best player ever for a few different reasons. Whether it's growing up watching Michael Jordan or simply not wanting to admit a player is the best to ever lace them up because they have to play against him, some will wait until he decides to retire. 

That includes Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks, who was asked if he prefers Michael Jordan or James all-time. Brunson had a simple response, noting that he won't answer that question until James retires. 

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"Personally, just because I'm competing against LeBron, I can't say LeBron right now. I'll wait until he retires,” he said in a viral video that resurfaced from two years ago.

This was not only a smart answer from Brunson, but perhaps the right one. The last thing he wants to do is make somebody like the Los Angeles Lakers star a little upset coming into Madison Square Garden, as he already takes those games personally. 

However, his comment was somewhat telling, and despite not saying who he thinks the best is, or not saying that James is, it's safe to say that he thought so. If he didn't, he wouldn't have made that remark.

Considering James is still playing at the level he is right now, it's tough to say that anybody in NBA history is better than him. 

If there’s one player, it's likely Jordan, but that's up to fans to decide. 

Regardless of whatever anybody thinks, they've done things that others haven't in the NBA.