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UNC Basketball: Cole Anthony says this player is basketball’s GOAT

By Blake Cockrum

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 10: Cole Anthony #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts following a play against the Virginia Tech Hokies during their game in the first round of the 2020 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum on March 10, 2020 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 10: Cole Anthony #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts following a play against the Virginia Tech Hokies during their game in the first round of the 2020 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum on March 10, 2020 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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Former UNC basketball standout Cole Anthony shares his thoughts on which player ranks as basketball’s GOAT

Whether it’s some random and unfounded postulation that he’s a bad teammate, or his own assertion of who basketball’s all-time greatest player is, former Tar Heel Cole Anthony is definitely testing the fibers of the Carolina family this week.

On Monday morning, just hours after LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers were crowned 2020 NBA Finals champions, Anthony tweeted out a brief but clear message regarding his thoughts on the seemingly never-ending GOAT argument. And it’s one that won’t likely sit well with North Carolina fans.

https://twitter.com/The_ColeAnthony/status/1315655511145152513

That’s right, UNC faithful. Less than a season removed from playing basketball for the program that Michael Jordan helped put on the map, Anthony chose a non-Tar Heel as his pick for the NBA’s greatest of all time. And it just so happens to be the one that frequently draws the ire of Tar Heel fans since his name is so commonly thrown around with Jordan’s in the GOAT discourse.

Now, let it be known, I have absolutely no problem with Anthony’s statement; none whatsoever. I think the GOAT argument is tired and silly, and believe that we can appreciate two phenomenal talents without pitting them against one another. But that notwithstanding, I can understand the respective arguments for both players being the best in the history of their sport.

For what it’s worth, I still have Jordan on the top of that totem pole, but I’d be lying if I said I don’t believe that LeBron is getting closer. His athletic ability, his consistency, the way he makes others around him better and his overall body of work have him squarely at No. 2 for me. But perhaps maybe the most incredible thing is that he still appears to be in his prime despite having just completed his 17th season in the league.

That’s something that not even Jordan can claim.

Next. Here's how Dick Vitale ranks the 2020-21 Tar Heels. dark

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