In a 2012 interview on The Herd, John Salley caused a stir by not declaring Michael Jordan as the greatest of all time. Instead, the former teammate praised Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, and Hakeem Olajuwon. Salley, a former player for the Detroit Pistons, acknowledged his respect for Jordan but believed other players had a greater impact.

Salley’s comments challenged the conventional view and sparked debate among fans. He has continued to support other players over Jordan in the GOAT debate, such as Bernard King. While it is unclear if Salley had any hidden agenda, his opinions shed light on the iconic NBA eras of the 80s and 90s.