The LeBron James–Michael Jordan debate will continue raging among basketball fans, media, and those close to the game for years, but the Lakers star would rather think about other things — like playing alongside Air Jordan.
“Me personally, the way I play the game — team first — I feel like my best assets work perfectly with Mike,” James said (as Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com relays). “Mike is an assassin. When it comes to playing the game of basketball, scoring the way he scored the ball, [then] my ability to pass, my ability to read the game plays and plays and plays in advance.”
James has been watching The Last Dance and admitted that it inspires him. James said he could envision the two superstars finding success together on the court.
“I saw the things (Scottie Pippen) was able to do with Mike. I just think it would’ve been a whole nother level,” James said. “Pip was one of my favorite players … It would’ve been a whole other level with me being a point forward, with me being that point forward alongside of him during those Chicago runs.”
The three-time NBA champ also touched on his time playing pickup with Jordan years ago. James first got a chance to play with the Space Jam star as an 18-year-old after signing his deal with Nike.
“We used to play around 9 p.m. The camp would end … and we would stay along with the college kids that he would invite,” James said. “We would get a good-ass run in for about an hour, an hour (and) 15. I was on the same team with MJ, and we didn’t lose a game.”
James grew up a Bulls fan, watching Jordan. He also grew up a Cowboys fan, watching the NFL squad, and he considered switching sports, akin to Mike’s baseball stint, back in 2011, as we passed along earlier today on Pro Football Rumors. Dallas even had a contract ready for James during the NBA’s lockout, but the Akron native opted to stay on the court.
Lebron can’t take that the last dance doc has jordon consensus #1
Yep. It seems like he desperately needs attention.
Always has, Always will.
Michael Jordan and LeBron James would be unbearable as well as unbeatable!
I am a 72 year old fan of both players! After giving the matter prayerful consideration and a student of the game! I would have to give the edge to LeBron James as the GOAT!
The following reasons listed below:
1. LeBron is stronger and taller than Michael like a Mack Truck, world class diet and just as fast as Michael!
2. LeBron has a photographic memory! All his NBA career he had rookie coaches!
3. Michael Jordan Dean Smith and Phil Jackson Hall of fame coaches!
4. Michael Jordan team mates are Hall of fame players! Scottie Pippins, Rodman, Grant and several others!
5. For example on Michael first Retirement Scottie Pippins and the bull’s made it to the Eastern finals without Michael Jordan!
When LeBron leaves a team like Cleveland the team becomes a lottery team!
6. 2015 finals with the lost of Kyrie Irvin and Kevin love LeBron carried his team to 6 games against the mighty warriors! 2016 down 3-1 to beat 73 win Warriors!
When LeBron have quality help like K. Irvin, D. Wade and C Bosh and Kevin Love
unstoppable. Who was on 2007 team, 2018 NBA finals?
LeBron has at least another 3 or 4 quality years left in his tank! Perhaps another 1 or 2 NBA championships! 40,000 points. Who knows Time and unforeseen occurrences befall us all! Now you can take this to the bank! Give me your view point! If Anthony Davis and a surprise star joined LeBron he could win you a another 3 or 4 championships!
Lol… Stop it James isn’t even as good as Kobe.
One if you really think saying you are 72 gives your argument merit you are wrong.
Two Phil, was less of an unknown when he joined Michael then any coach LeBron has had.
Three MJ didn’t go and say hey Chuck and Larry let’s team up like LB did with Wade and Bosh
And don’t forget upon his return to Cleveland he pushed to have Love added. And to compare MJ leaving a championship team that still made the playoffs and LeBron leaving a barely playoff team is absurd. And Miami lost Wade as well and Bosh’s Health.
No , LeBron isn’t better. Oh and the size deal. You realize Jordan played in a time that was more physical and most were bigger. Just don’t , at most they are equals but LeBron isn’t better.
@suburbanwarren
I totally agree with your assessment, very well thought & articulated!
I would always pick LBJ for my team before Jordan, I mean who wouldn’t, right?
Also I must admit that this so-called documentary was pretty awful, started to watched but it was sooo full or non-sense & idolization of Jordan, combined with a lot of fiction & lies that I couldn’t watch it anymore.
As a matter of fact I enjoyed a lot more the interview with Horace Grant, he spoke sense & said the things that all of us fans that followed the league in the 80’s-90’s saw, I mean at the end of the day Jordan never won squat without Pippen, when I watch the Bulls in those years I always enjoyed much more Pips game. But anyway if you want a dose of reality instead of a truckload of bull, listen to Horace, he says it as it was, he doesn’t pathetically seeks adulation like Jordan.
My view point…..20 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is a lot of !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry my friend your logic is wrong.
1. Scottie Pippen became the player he is because of MJ. People don’t remember how normal Pippen was when he first entered the league. MJ pushes him in practice and help develop him to the player he turned out to be. On the other hand if LBJ had Pippen he would of three him under the bus and campaigned to trade him for Charlie’s Barkley or hakim. Fact LBJ does not have the patience to develop his teammates he needs ready made stars around him.
2. MJ thrived and adapted as a player in different systems. LBJ only has one system he plays ( all through him) he would of revolted against Philadelphia Jackson Triangle. Fact That is why he needs a puppet coach in his team .
3. MJ is a competitor and keeps trying to defeat adversity with his teammates and does not take the easy way out like LBJ. Fact LBJ gave up on the cavs twice and Maimi once to go to a better situation and joined his opponents.
4. LBJ when all said is done would of played with not hall of famers than MJ. ( d wade, Chris Bosh, Kyrie Irving, Ray Allen , Kevin love, Antony Davis, etc.) to name a few..
5. LBJ final record is Horrible fact.
I can go on and on but I think the above paints the picture
The reason you here everyone now talk about how Jordan is the goat and all that, is because all the writers and announcers and people like that, all grew up watching Jordan and the things he did, but in 15 or 20 years from now we’ll hear everyone talking about how LeBron is the goat because that’s who the writers In 20 years from now watched as a kid. And tell me this how is Kareem Abdul jabbar not mentioned in any of this? The guy is the leading scorer of all time!!! He also has the most all star selections of all time!! And you’re gonna tell me that a 30 year old Michael Jordan left his prime to go play minor league baseball is the greatest player of all time, then I have no words. Jordan and Kareem have the same amount of championships, and think of this, Kareem played 20 years in the nba, and made 1 three pointer, and he’s the leading scorer of all time!!! If that’s not amazing idk what is.
Keep chasing ghosts!
Look, I don’t like LBJ, and this does reek of needing attention, but if he and Jordan would have played together, it could have been insane.
Bring and Mike are too hard to compare to get a definitive better player answer. Bron is not the killer that Mike or Kobe are, while neither 23 or 8/24 would have been able to defer to Chris Bosh, Ray Allen and D-Wade to win titles.
How do you compare either to Wilt, or Bill, or Big O, or Kareem. The NBA and NCAA had to change rules multiple times to halt Wilt’s domination.
It’s fun having the argument, but there’s never going to be a real answer as the styles of each player are so different.
LeBron is one Ray Allen missed jump shot and a Draymond Green suspension away from being 1-8 in the finals. Stop the comparisons. The conversation starts and stops with Jordan.
And it’s not as if he didn’t have s supporting cast of stars to get him there
Well too bad one of the best 3 point shooters ever made the shot and a dirty player got suspended. Besides the idea they automatically win the series with Draymond is comical. They lost game 7 at home with him but hey thats not what people who fawn over a role player remember. And if GS wins that series KD doesn’t come which changes 2017 and 2018. You’re Lebron derrangment is getting in the way of logic.
Afk711 you are sooo right!
Who cares about 2011. Cowboys could use LBJ now