Shams Charania reveals reason for rejecting popular NBA GOAT choice

NBA reporter Shams Charania got a chance to be in front of the camera as a regular fan when he appeared in "The OGs" podcast. Charania was interviewed by former Miami Heat players Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller. During the episode, the well-known insider was asked about his GOAT pick.

Charania usually appears professional in front of the camera, and most fans don't get to see or hear his thoughts on certain matters. This time, the reporter put his guard down and the player he mentioned wasn't one of the more popular choices like Michael Jordan or LeBron James. The reporter mentioned the late Kobe Bryant as his GOAT choice and explained why:

"For me growing up, when MJ won his six championships, I was four years old. So, it's hard for me to—people are like, watch the YouTube videos and watch the games over like, it's an experience. I feel like the greatest of all-time is an experience, right?

"For me growing up, Kobe was someone that I watched very closely and the Mamba Mentality killer instinct. I feel like some of those attributes I felt like as a young, minority, parents from Pakistani background. I felt like I could apply some of that in my daily life. ... That was something that I gravitated toward."

Bryant may not be mentioned as often as most fans would want in GOAT talks, but he has inspired many people in different ways, as evident in his league-leading records. Charania is one of the many people who have kept the Mamba Mentality alive.

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Shams Charania was in awe of what LeBron James can still do with Team USA

One of the GOAT choices that many fans have chosen is still actively playing in the league: LeBron James. The 39-year-old is still at the peak of his game, even after two decades of playing competitive and intensive basketball. Fans and even his peers can't believe what he can still do on the court.

Shams Charania has been fortunate enough to see James do plenty of things on the court. He had a chance to watch Team USA's training camp and is in awe of the four-time NBA champion:

"I was at USA training camp. It's inhumane how he moves."

James will enter his 22nd season in October and he's still at the top of his game. No one knows if he'll start to decline or continue to shock people.