Regardless of where you stand on the NBA’s GOAT debate, most seem to agree that it’s now a two-man race between Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

Don’t, however, tell that to Michael Wilbon, who takes issue with the idea that James should be universally viewed as no less than the second-greatest basketball player to have ever lived.

Appearing on Friday’s episode of Get Up, Wilbon defended recent comments that were made by Jordan’s longtime agent, David Falk, who shaded James for switching teams at multiple points during his career. But after downplaying Falk’s comments as little more than an agent supporting his most famous client, the Pardon The Interruption star gave his own take on the GOAT debate, making it clear that he doesn’t think James should automatically viewed as Jordan’s greatest challenger.

“I’m not going to sit here and say that LeBron James has to be considered better than Magic Johnson. That’s garbage,” Wilbon said. “I’m not going to say LeBron James has to be considered better than Bill Russell. That’s garbage. I’m not going to say LeBron James has to be considered better than Kobe Bryant. That’s garbage.

“LeBron James is one of the greatest players of all time in all team sports. I’m sorry if that’s not good enough. Turn the page, get over yourself. In other words, I’m going to proclaim and support and wave the LeBron James flag for his greatness. But if I say he’s less than No. 2, that’s not good enough for you? To hell with you.”

The Chicago native went on to insist that he wasn’t just carrying water for Falk, who happens to be his neighbor.

“I’m not saying that in support of David Falk. I’m saying that as somebody who has watched basketball and lived with basketball my whole life,” Wilbon said. “I’ve got to say that LeBron James is better than Kobe Bryant? What? Put me in a grave first.”

“I’m not gonna sit here and say that LeBron James has to be considered better than Magic Johnson … Bill Russell … Kobe Bryant … That’s garbage.”

—@RealMikeWilbon weighs in on the NBA GOAT conversation after David Falk’s recent comments pic.twitter.com/ImXajFaiHY

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— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) May 23, 2025

Wilbon insisted that he wasn’t attempting to diminish James’ resume; rather, he was merely propping up the likes of Russell, Johnson and Bryant in the conversation. But while he didn’t state where he puts the current Los Angeles Lakers star in his own GOAT rankings, the tone of his comments seems to suggest that it’s lower than second.

Ultimately, such arguments are subjective and if Wilbon thinks that James is closer to Bryant than he is to Jordan in basketball’s hierarchy of all-time greats, that’s his prerogative. It just happens to be an unpopular opinion and one that can quickly be disputed by most statistical analyses.

Cleveland, OH-Chevalier “Ice” Emery is the newest member of the Cleveland State men’s basketball team, head coach Rob Summers announced today. Emery, a 6’0″ guard from Appleton, Wisconsin, comes to Cleveland with one year of eligibility remaining.
 
“We’re thrilled to welcome Ice Emery to the Viking family,” Coach Summers stated. “Ice is a dynamic athlete with a competitive edge that fits perfectly with our culture here at Cleveland State. We’re excited to get to work with him and continue building something special.”
 
Emery has spent time at three different institutions prior to arriving at Cleveland State. He spent the 2024-25 season at Western Carolina. Emery appeared in all 30 games for the Catamounts making 14 starts and averaging 9.3 points per game. He scored in double figures 12 times including three games over the 20-point mark, with a season high of 24 against Truett-McConnell on November 13. Emery led the team with 29 steals and was second with 47 three-point field goals and 59 assists. Emery and fellow Cleveland State commit Kamari Jones were teammates at WCU this past season.
 
Prior to Western Carolina, Emery spent one season at Dodge City Community College in Kansas. Emery led the team in scoring at 17.4 points per game and scored in double figures 28 times including the last 19 games of the season. He shot 44 percent from the field and recorded a career best 30 points in a game at Trinidad State in November, 2023.
 
Before his time at Dodge City, Emery spent one season at Merrimack College in Massachusetts where he helped the program to the 2022-23 Northeast Conference championship. Emery played his high school basketball at Neenah High School in Wisconsin where he helped lead his team to a state championship as well as winning the Player of the Year award.
 
Upon joining the roster Emery added, “I committed to CSU because it felt like a brotherhood and the coaches believe in my skills. I also like the focus on development in the program. I believe what Coach Summers and the staff are building.”
 

The Cleveland Browns are in desperate need of help at wide receiver, and apparently, they tried to find an answer on the trade market.

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated has reported that the Browns made an offer to the New Orleans Saints for Chris Olave, but were rebuffed. The Pittsburgh Steelers also tried to get involved.

Breer added that Olave is “not on the block” and that he would “have a hard time thinking he’s going to get traded.”

Olave is coming off of a 2024 campaign in which he played just eight games due to a couple of concussions. During his time on the field, he logged 32 catches for 400 yards and a touchdown, but he posted back-to-back, 1,000-yard seasons to begin his NFL career in 2022 and 2023.

The Ohio State product would have represented a brilliant pickup for Cleveland. When healthy, he is one of the most gifted receivers in football and would have comprised a fantastic duo with Jerry Jeudy, especially with the Browns potentially preparing to turn the quarterback position over to Shedeur Sanders in the near future.

Breer does not elaborate on when Cleveland inquired about Olave, so it could have happened before the NFL Draft or possibly directly after.

The Browns inexplicably chose not to select a wide out in the draft and also were unable to land anyone outside of Diontae Johnson — who played for three different teams last season — in free agency. That leaves Cleveland with Jeudy and virtually nothing else in terms of proven, reliable talent at the position.

Perhaps Cedric Tillman can have a breakout year for the Browns in 2025.

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