Mavs’ Phil Handy Weighs-In On MJ, Kobe, and LeBron GOAT Debate
Phil Handy’s championship experience with Kobe Bryant and LeBron James gives his take on the GOAT debate rare credibility, framing Jordan, Kobe, and LeBron as products of greatness across eras.
Veteran NBA coach Phil Handy has worked closely with Kobe Bryant and LeBron James across multiple championship runs.
The weight of Phil Handy’s voice in basketball’s most enduring debate comes from his lengthy résumé in championship locker rooms. Handy was a rare coach who was trusted with the inner workings of greatness, and even rarer, who worked closely with multiple players central to the ‘Greatest of All Time’ conversation.
His perspective is particularly valuable when discussing Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James because of his proximity.
Instead, he offered an era-aware, experience-driven breakdown rooted in respect for lineage, evolution, and identity. This approach was shaped by years spent coaching at the highest level of the game.
Coaching Kobe Bryant and LeBron James Up Close
In 2011, Handy started coaching in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers, working as a coach who helped players improve and as an assistant during the last years of Kobe Bryant’s career. Watching Bryant work every day showed Handy just how dedicated and hardworking Bryant was. Practices were not just about doing the same thing over and over; they focused on getting better, staying in shape, and building mental strength.
LeBron James and Handy entered a new level of fame when Handy joined the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2013. For four straight trips to the NBA Finals, Handy helped build a team that finally won the famous 2016 championship. He got to see how LeBron could adjust, lead, and help his teammates perform better, even when things were toughest, during that championship season.
Handy added another championship to his record when he joined the Toronto Raptors for the 2018-19 season with head coach Nick Nurse. That year, Toronto won the title because of its flexible style and strong teamwork.
In 2019, Handy returned to the Lakers, reunited with LeBron James, and won another championship in the 2020 NBA playoffs.
Handy stayed with the Lakers until the mid-2020s, then joined the Dallas Mavericks in July 2025. By then, he was known as one of the NBA’s most trusted and popular coaches for helping players get better.
Phil Handy’s Breakdown of MJ, Kobe, and LeBron
Handy views the GOAT debate as a continuum rather than a zero-sum game, since each player represents a distinct expression of greatness.
“Here’s my breakdown of them three,” Handy explained to RG.org. “MJ is the godfather. Kobe is the prodigal son. LeBron is the chosen one.”
For Handy, Michael Jordan sets the standard for competition. He calls Jordan the sport’s fiercest competitor, whose drive to win changed how people measure greatness. Handy says Jordan’s legacy goes beyond championships or scoring titles. It’s also about the level of intensity and mental toughness he brought to the game.
Handy points out LeBron James’s ability to do many things well. He says James is the most flexible basketball player ever, thanks to his size, awareness, smarts, toughness, and ability to play multiple positions on the court.
Handy thinks LeBron’s greatest strength is his ability to take charge of every part of the game and remain among the best for a long time.
Kobe Bryant stands out for his own reasons. Handy considers Bryant one of the league’s most talented players, noting his skills, shooting, and nonstop effort to get better. Kobe’s greatness did not just happen. It came from his strong focus on details and steady, hard work to improve.
Different Eras, Same Greatness
Handy consistently recommends that fans focus on context instead of chasing definitive rankings.
“They all come from different eras, and they all represent different things in terms of how they play the game,” he said. “Let people live in their eras.”
Handy claims that debates often overlook what is truly connected between Jordan, Bryant, and James. Their work ethic, basketball IQ, and unshakable belief in their own abilities were all exceptional. He says that confidence, not arrogance, is essential for greatness.
“There wasn’t anything those dudes didn’t believe they could do on the floor,” Handy said.
He emphasizes that Kobe has an open admiration for Jordan and that Bryant intentionally modeled aspects of his game after MJ. Handy is certain that LeBron’s place in history is not based on his lineage. His impact is a result of a different era and different demands.
A Voice Shaped by Experience
Handy stands out because of what he’s experienced firsthand. He knows what it takes to prepare, fail, adjust, and succeed at the highest level. Now in Dallas, the Mavericks are counting on his championship background and ability to develop players to help their team grow. Handy continues to value history, different eras, and the effort it takes to reach the top, even as the NBA changes.
“All of them are GOATs,” Handy said. “All of them are Hall of Famers. All of them are champions.”
That answer may hold the most authority for a coach who has lived through those eras.
<strong>Landon Buford</strong> is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
<p data-start="442" data-end="833">His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.</p>
<p data-start="835" data-end="1171" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.</p>
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
