Michael Jordan’s ex teammate Ron Harper makes feelings clear on his “GOAT”

The debate about the greatest player of all time in the NBA has been an echoing topic between fans and pundits for many years.

Typically, older basketball fans favor Michael Jordan, whereas younger ones prefer Kobe Bryant or LeBron James.

Given how long the league has been around and how many incredible talents we have seen, it's almost impossible to agree on objective criteria to determine the actual GOAT.

However, to each his own, everybody is entitled to their own opinion.

Even though he played alongside basketball legends like Jordan, former NBA champion Ron Harper regards only one player as the GOAT: Julius Erving, also known as Dr. J.

Early on Monday, Harper reacted to a picture of Julius Erving on X (formerly Twitter), making it clear that he is his GOAT.

Michael Jordan idolized Julius Erving

Notably, Harper isn't the only one who feels that way. Dr. J was one of the most influential players of all time.

He inspired a young Magic Johnson and took him under his wing. Years later, a young Michael Jordan, who also grew up emulating his athletic dunks, was tasked with the heavy burden of being the new face of the league, something that Erving had been back in the day.

As confident in himself as he always was, even Jordan claimed that there was no such thing as replacing Julius Erving:

"Nobody can replace the Doctor," Jordan said ahead of his fourth NBA season. "He was the epitome of class and defined the NBA for me. It's a challenge to try and emulate him, but it's not as if I have to go out of my way. Being Michael Jordan means acting the same as I always have."

Eventually, Jordan walked a legendary path of his own. He turned the NBA into a global phenomenon, taking the game to every corner of the world.

He was the most dominant player the league had ever seen, even more than Bill Russell or Wilt Chamberlain, and was considered the greatest ever to do it almost unanimously when he retired.

Nonetheless, we must remember those who paved the way for his success. Dr. J is often regarded as the first true entertainer in basketball, and without Julius Erving, there would likely have never been a Michael Jordan.