Michael Jordan is known as the greatest of all time. But a trainer for the Los Angeles Lakers believes that Jordan had an easy path to achieve this status.

As reported by Scoop B, Gary Vitti, the Lakers' longtime trainer, recalled Jordan's first ring and the subsequent ones that effectively made him the greatest basketball player of all time.

According to Vitti, after Jordan won his first ring, everyone left. Legends like Kareen Abdul-Jabar and Magic Johnson had to hang up their jerseys due to old age and complications.

Article Continues Below
More Los Angeles Lakers News
Kobe Bryant Nike Air Force 1 "Triple White", Kobe Bryant, Nike Air Force 1
Kobe Bryant Nike Air Force 1 ‘Triple White’ release detailsDominik Zawartko ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the second half in game three of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
Lakers’ LeBron James reacts to Jamie Foxx’s big BET Awards nightJosh Davis ·
Apr 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) moves in for the dunk against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
LeBron James puts ‘no bag’ critics on blastZachary Draves ·
Byron Scott during the Jerry Colangelo Golf Classic on September 13, 2024.
Former Laker Byron Scott reveals Kobe Bryant’s ‘most gangster s**t’ everMiguel La Torre ·
Coco Gauff of the United States poses with the trophy after winning the women’s singles final against Aryna Sabalenka on day 14 at Roland Garros Stadium.
LeBron James erupts with huge reaction to Coco Gauff’s French Open winLorenzo J Reyna ·
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kobe Bryant, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers
How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander draws ‘influence’ from Kobe BryantTomer Azarly ·

“So when Michael got his first ring in ‘91 and the 5 that came after it, there wasn’t anybody left. The Lakers were done because Kareem had retired and then Magic [Johnson] came up 0 positive for HIV in ‘91. So he wasn’t challenged again by the great Laker team, the ones that because Kareem had already retired before ‘91, so he wasn’t part of that series against I don’t know what they would have done.”

Apart from the Lakers, the Detroit Pistons — the team which gave Jordan the hardest time — were over and done with, too. The Boston Celtics dynasty was a thing in the past, so was the Philadelphia 76ers. For Vitti, there simply wasn't anyone to challenge Jordan and the Bulls.

This is the same logic that Jordan doubters have raised. During the Bulls' run in the 90s, they were simply trampling on their opponents. But whether or not this is true or not, is a matter for another endless debate. When it's all said and done, who's really the greatest of all time?