The SuperDebate · Practice Round
THE GOATPractice round
The practice round of the GOAT SuperDebate. Two championship debaters arguing assigned sides, cross-examination. Lindsay argues Pro-Jordan, Iain argues Pro-LeBron.
Free to watch and score, right now
The Debate
The practice-round SuperDebate on the GOAT question. Watch it, then check out the main event below.
You Be the Judge
Score each debater 1 (weak) to 5 (strong) on the four criteria our judges use. One ballot per person, and you can change it anytime.
Lindsay Duede
Pro-Jordan
3.0
your avg
Argument · logic & reasoning
Evidence · facts & examples
Clarity · structure & flow
Persuasion · did it convince you
Dr. Iain Lampert
Pro-LeBron
3.0
your avg
Argument · logic & reasoning
Evidence · facts & examples
Clarity · structure & flow
Persuasion · did it convince you
Who's Debating
Championship debaters. No emotional stake in basketball.
Lindsay Duede
Pro-Jordan
IPDA national champion · LSU professor
LSU professor and active IPDA national champion. Coaches LSU's varsity national champion and team national champions. Builds tight, evidence-driven cases.
Dr. Iain Lampert
Pro-LeBron
2026 IPDA season-long national champion · Top Speaker in the nation
All-time record holder for IPDA debate wins. COO of ModernBrain, founder of Authentalk, SuperDebate Advisory Board. Two-time national champion in trial advocacy.
Matthew Rolnick
Moderator
Runs the room
Keeps the run-of-show tight, calls the clock, and runs the analyst desk.
John Connor
Play-by-play & analysis
Founder, SuperDebate
On the analyst desk with Matthew: calling the debate play-by-play and breaking down the strongest arguments as they land.
The Format
Modified for sharper clips, tighter pressure, and YouTube retention
Intro and context
Matthew
Format primer
John
Opening statement
Lindsay (Pro-Jordan)
Cross-examination
Iain questions Lindsay
Opening statement
Iain (Pro-LeBron)
Cross-examination
Lindsay questions Iain
Rebuttal
Lindsay (Pro-Jordan)
Rebuttal
Iain (Pro-LeBron)
Analyst desk
John & Matthew break down the debate so far while debaters prep closings
Closing statement
Lindsay (Pro-Jordan)
Closing statement
Iain (Pro-LeBron)
The Concept
The biggest argument in basketball, argued for real
Take the most relitigated question in sports. Hand it to two championship debaters. Put it in a structured format with cross-examination. The goal: the most technical, highest-level version of this argument ever recorded, what the GOAT question sounds like when the people making the case are professional debaters instead of fans, and an on-ramp that introduces new audiences to debate in a format that's modern, accessible, and fun.
The Resolution
“Resolved: Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time.”
Championship debaters, not fans
Lindsay and Iain are competitive title-holders arguing assigned sides. It comes down to who argues it better.
Real debate format
Openings, two cross-examination rounds, rebuttals, analyst desk, closings. Every claim has to survive direct pressure.
Sharp clips, not panel filler
Modified for retention: tight pressure, no dead air, analyst-desk flex time. Built for YouTube long-form and short-form.
You score the winner
Watch it, then score both debaters on the four criteria our judges use: argument, evidence, clarity, and persuasion. Your verdict, against the crowd.
In support of open debate
Stone Pogrund & Korey LLCspklaw.comProud to support SuperDebate and the case for real, open debate.
Get Involved
Open debate runs on the people who show up. Tell us how you want to be part of it.
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