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What Separates Michael Jordan From LeBron James, Muhammad Ali And Others, Per Chicago Sports Writer Sam Smith

Michael Jordan’s resume speaks for itself. When his ‘GOAT’-tier statistical records and enormous basketball accomplishments are supported by his impact and influence on the society and culture, his resume becomes too well-rounded, ultimately making it hard to surpass.

Not many players in the history of sports can hold a candle to Jordan in terms of having their impact blossom from their respective game to reaching the mainstream culture. Jordan had the sort of impact that is still felt and recognized in the society today. 

This is why Sam Smith, who is the author of the ‘Jordan Rules’ book, speaks highly of the Chicago Bulls legend. He believes that Jordan’s impact on society puts him ahead of some of the biggest icons of the sports like Muhammad Ali, Babe Ruth, as well as LeBron James who’s been receiving a lot of recognition lately for his evident on and off the court success.

Per NBC Sports:

“What separates Jordan and a few others — Babe Ruth, (Muhammad) Ali — is, to me, is the impact on society that Michael had, Michael truly had in clothing, in looks, people just wanting to see it,” Smith said. “As great as LeBron is, people don’t turn on to just ‘I’ve got to see what LeBron’s gonna do next.’

“And there’s been no basketball figure that — I’ve been watching since Wilt and Russell and saw those guys play and Oscar — and there’s not figure in basketball in this 70 years or whatever that I can point to an said has had a bigger impact on society and the world and the game than Michael Jordan.”