"He was knocked out in Sweet 16" - NFL legend digs into Michael Jordan & LeBron James' timeline at 20 to school Stephen A. Smith in GOAT debate

For years, NBA fans, analysts and players have engaged in a never-ending debate about the greatest player of all time.

Most old-school fans usually tend to lean towards Michael Jordan and the younger generation usually has LeBron James at the top of their lists.

On Monday's edition of ESPN "First Take," Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A. Smith reignited the debate, and it didn't take long before things got heated.

Sharpe talked about James' longevity and what he has been able to do since he was 18 years old, whereas Jordan was still in college at that age.

"When your guy was 20, he was getting knocked out of the Sweet 16," Sharpe said.

Jordan stayed in North Carolina from 1981-84 as it wasn't common for players to enter the NBA immediately or even go directly from high school.

LeBron James gets real on breaking Michael Jordan's 30-point game record

LeBron James made headlines again after the LA Lakers' game against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.

James passed Michael Jordan for the most 30+ point games in NBA history, recording his 563rd. When asked about it, he shared his admiration for the Chicago Bulls legend, talking about how humbled he was for the milestone.

“I don’t know because it’s never been a goal of mine, but very humbling,” James said to reporters after the game. “Anytime I’m mentioned with any of the greats and arguably one of the greatest to ever play the game, (it’s) super cool. Someone I idolized in my childhood. I wear 23 because of him.

"To know that I can sit here and be in the room or in the conversation or whatever it is, and you mention MJ (Michael Jordan), it’s super-duper dope for me. Being a kid from where I’m from.”

Jordan logged 562 30+ point games in almost 500 fewer games and seven fewer seasons than James. That says a lot about his scoring prowess and dominance, especially because he played at a time when the 3-point shot wasn't as much of a weapon as it is today.

Longevity is also a part of the equation as what James is doing has never been done before.