The Chicago Bears selected Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Since this year's draft is being hosted in Green Bay, his announcement and introduction were showered in boos. There was no shortage of banter between the Packers and Bears over the last two days, but don't forget that Chicago and Caleb Williams are 1-0 in Lambeau Field in 2025. Hence, the green and gold must revert the argument to historical references. Upon arrival, one of the first questions many Chicago athletes are asked is the ongoing debate between LeBron James and Michael Jordan about who represents the greatest basketball player of all time. For newcomers, there's only one correct answer. Unfortunately, there's been a trend over the last five years that James has been the more popular response, an expected one given the age range of recent draftees all being born post-Jordan era in the 2000s. Here's what Loveland had to say about the NBA's GOAT.
The New Norm
Sadly, for most debates across eras, the general opinion sways with the influx of the next generation. In the case of James and Jordan, the Cleveland kid will only gain momentum as time passes because he's currently gaining new viewers. In contrast, His Airness has been off national television for over 20 years. For instance, Loveland was born in 2004, meaning he didn't have the privilege of witnessing Jordan play, who retired in April 2003. Idolizing an athlete skyrockets his or her value in one's perspective. As a basketball player through high school in addition to football, Loveland surely was inspired by James's dominance over the last two decades. Safe to say he wasn't drafted for his basketball knowledge.
Colston Loveland on Cole Kmet texting him.. and Jordan vs. LeBron 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/jhKgsVT3lL
— Captain Caleb (@captaincaleb18) April 25, 2025
He would later admit in a separate interview that he's "got to go with my guy LeBron." The baton is officially passing to a new, uninformed generation of basketball fans—a sad day for Chicago.
Check Again This Time Next Year
A certainty of playing in Chicago is that you'll be quickly educated on its history. He'll likely attend a Cubs, White Sox, and Bulls game over the next 12 months and will feel the wrath of Chicago's loyal fan base when his opinion on the most polarizing debate in sports reaches the ears of the city. To his defense, maybe he's unaware of Jordan's six championship wins without a Finals loss, five MVP awards, ten scoring titles, and nine NBA All-Defensive First Team nods. The new wave of athletes and fans is actively proving how hard it is to translate culture from one generation to the next while maintaining its influence.
"There's a BIG difference between having the Greatest Career and the Greatest Basketball Player" 👀
— NBA Strife ツ (@strifeomg) April 24, 2025
Hall of Famer Reggie Miller is the latest to give his opinion on the GOAT conversation between Jordan and LeBron 🏀 pic.twitter.com/WBqEx2tsgN
Even though he's incorrect on the Lebron James and Michael Jordan debate, he's shown an unrelenting toughness and competitive spirit that'll fit perfectly with the new-look Chicago Bears. Did they make the right pick at ten, and can they sway his opinion on the GOAT debate over time?
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