Gary Payton weighs in on G.O.A.T. debate: "LeBron was a better all-around player ... Michael was a better killer"

With LeBron James closing in on the NBA's scoring record, the greatest of all time debate between him and Michael Jordan will soon resurface. Hall of Fame guard Gary Payton recently weighed in on the G.O.A.T. conversation and explained what makes both legends great players.

In an interview with TMZ Sports, Payton was asked about playing against James and Jordan during his career. Payton had many battles with MJ but only played a handful of games against "The King."

"Michael could get anywhere he wanted to do," Payton said. "As I can say this and I'm always gonna say it, I think LeBron is a better all-around player because he can pass the ball and rebound. I think Michael was the better killer. He was a better killer; he'll go after you; he'll take a shot whenever he needed to and make it and do it. He was more of a killer, but LeBron is turning into that."

The G.O.A.T. debate might never be settled, but James can add the all-time scoring record to his resume. Jordan still has more championships and was really the reason why basketball became a global sport.

Gary Payton also congratulated James for his impending accession as the league's scoring king. Payton thought that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's scoring record would never be broken. However, he praised the 38-year-old James for continuing to set records and defying Father Time.

"The things that he's done and the records he's breaking and doing, I never thought he would be the all-time leading scorer past Kareem," Payton said. "Kareem has held this mark for so long. ... (James) earned it. He's been that guy, and that's the way it is. He's coming on the mark that I didn't think will ever be broken. It's more kudos to him, and congratulations to him."

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LeBron James still don't like being labeled as scorer

LeBron James of the LA Lakers

LeBron James is just 36 points away from becoming the NBA's all-time leading scorer, breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record that has stood for almost 40 years. However, James still doesn't like being called a scorer, as he considers himself a pass-first player.

"I still don't like it," James told ESPN. "I don't like being singled out as a scorer. I've always prided myself in being a pass-first guy, a guy who can make everybody feel comfortable."

It has been an incredible journey for "The King" this season. He could break the record on Tuesday night against the OKC Thunder in front of LA Lakers fans at the Crypto.com Arena. If he doesn't get the record that night, he will have another chance to do it on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks.