Pippen: Unfair to compare LeBron, Jordan; Chamberlain is greatest ever

Scottie Pippen has been continuously pestered throughout the years for his opinion on the Michael Jordan-LeBron James debate over who is the greatest NBA player, which is why he's hoping his latest thoughts on the matter will be his last.

Attending the Golden State Warriors' practice Friday, the Hall of Famer and current ESPN analyst chimed in once again, while also offering up his choice of the true GOAT:

I’m gonna give you my honest answer, and I hope I never get this question again. There’s really no comparison. Michael Jordan played in an era where the game was different. It was being refereed different than what LeBron is playing in. LeBron plays a different role than what Michael played as a player. In all fairness to Michael, he was never asked to do the things that LeBron do for his team. He had a lesser role, and statistically, that’s why you’re seeing LeBron numbers are far better than Michael Jordan’s numbers in terms of what he do the whole game because we didn’t utilize Michael to do things that the Cavs utilize LeBron for.

The comparison is unfair. They played different positions. I know a lot of times we love answering the question because we want to hear the storylines behind it, but the truth of the matter is it’s not a fair comparison to LeBron or Michael. One guy is considered a two guard and one guy is considered a small forward. They definitely are great in their era. They’re both the greatest in their era, but to say who is the greatest, we will never know that.

In my eye, Wilt Chamberlain is the greatest basketball player. But Michael and LeBron should never be compared. It’s almost like comparing Kareem to me. That wouldn’t be fair.

Pippen was Jordan's teammate for 10 seasons with the Chicago Bulls, capturing six titles as perhaps the most decorated one-two punch in league history.

- With h/t to USA Today's For The Win