LeBron James is widely regarded as one of the two greatest players in NBA history, but don’t expect Bam Adebayo to include him on his personal Mount Rushmore.
The Miami Heat captain has sparked widespread debate after revealing his top five NBA players of all time during an appearance at his youth camp, with James notably missing from the list despite the pair’s close relationship and Olympic success together.
Bam’s Top Five Features Two Current NBA Stars
When asked to name his five greatest NBA players ever, Adebayo listed:
- Michael Jordan
- Kobe Bryant
- Stephen Curry
- Kevin Durant
- Tim Duncan
The omission of James immediately became the biggest talking point, particularly given Adebayo has often spoken highly of the four-time NBA champion and recently described him as “like a brother.”
No LeBron… Despite Their Close Bond
Adebayo offered no explanation for leaving James off his list, but there was no indication the omission was personal.
After James stunned the NBA by signing with the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this offseason, Adebayo publicly supported his decision.
“I’m cool with Bron. I consider Bron like a brother honestly. We’ve been Olympic teammates but even before that we’ve always had down-to-earth conversations. I’m happy for him. You want what’s best for somebody.”
The pair helped Team USA win Olympic gold in Paris in 2024 and have maintained a close relationship since.
Fans Question the Omission
Despite Adebayo’s comments about James, social media quickly erupted after the video surfaced.
Many fans questioned how the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, four-time MVP and four-time NBA champion could be left out of any top-five list, particularly when Curry and Durant were both included ahead of him.
Others defended Adebayo, arguing the question asked for his personal favourites rather than an objective ranking of the greatest careers.
A Debate That Won’t Go Away
All-time NBA rankings have always divided opinion, but James is almost universally placed somewhere in the top two alongside Michael Jordan.
Adebayo’s decision to exclude him entirely has only added another chapter to one of basketball’s most enduring debates.
Whether it reflects personal preference, playing style or simply the players who inspired him growing up, Adebayo’s list has already become one of the NBA offseason’s biggest talking points.
