The Michael Jordan-LeBron James comparisons have been heard around the world for decades.
Ever since ‘The Chosen One’ graced the front cover of a 2002 edition of Sports Illustrated, LeBron has been crowned the heir apparent to ‘His Airness’.
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Those who saw MJ in his prime swear he’s the unequivocal basketball GOAT while a new generation of fan struggle to imagine anyone superseding The King.
MJ is a perfect 6-0 record in NBA Finals while King James is The Association’s all-time leader scorer and still performing at the age of 41.
The immortal pair are 1a and 1b in the greatest of all time discussion, whichever way around you have it, with the former arguably enjoying the greater peak and the latter boasting the better longevity.
Jordan and James’ relationship has remained respectful but distant over the years; from the outside looking in, there was a clear friction as Jordan appeared to keep LeBron at arm’s length while James did his best to eclipse MJ’s legacy.
Publicly, the NBA legends have always spoken highly of one another, especially LeBron, who grew up idolizing the Chicago Bulls icon and admitted seeing him in the flesh was like ‘meeting God for the first time’.
Jordan has also spoken to reporters about LeBron, including during a press conference in France ahead of the Charlotte Hornets (who Jordan used to own) vs. Milwaukee Bucks NBA Paris Game 2020.
With European media packing the room, Jordan was asked for a comment about LeBron’s achievements.
“Is he playing?” joked his Airness before giving his answer.
Jordan went on to rather profoundly explain that comparing players across generations is not only hypothetical, but relatively futile, as myriad factors (defense, officiating, prevalence of 3-point shot, which Jordan warned against) means today’s game is entirely different to the one of the 1990s.
“I just think we played in different eras. He’s an unbelievable player,” Jordan said of LeBron.
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“He’s one of the best players in the world, if not the best player in the world.
“I know it’s a natural tendency to compare eras to eras, and it’s going to continue to happen. I’m a fan of his. I love watching him play.
“But as you can see, our league is starting to expand with very talented players. I think he’s made his mark. He will continue to do so over a period of time, but when you start the comparisons, I think it is what it is.
“It’s just a stand-up measurement, and I take it with a grain of salt. He’s a heck of a basketball player without a doubt”.
At the 2022 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland, James and Jordan’s paths crossed in a rare moment as they were recognized for the NBA’s 75th anniversary season.
James made the winning shot in the game, a fadeaway jumper he said was inspired by Air Jordan.
He wasn’t about to let the opportunity to meet his childhood idol pass him by, and the pair embraced in a short but powerful moment.
“I did not want to lose the opportunity to shake the man’s hand that inspired me throughout my childhood,” James said.
“I haven’t had much dialogue with him in my 20 years or 19 years in this business, but part of me wouldn’t be here without MJ’s inspiration. I always wanted to be like him growing up.
“It’s crazy that the game-winning shot tonight was a fadeaway, and it was inspired by MJ,” he went on.
“The way he wore his shoes, the way he wore his uniform, I mean, all the way down to some of the cars that he drove, how much he inspired me. I didn’t want to waste that opportunity because we’re just not in — we’re not in the same building a lot and haven’t been in the same building a lot throughout my career. It meant something to me.”
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During a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee show, the four-time Finals MVP peeled back the curtain on where his and MJ’s relationship is currently at.
“We’re in a good spot,” James said.
“We don’t talk, because I’m still playing. I’m still focused on my craft right now.”
After that interview, Jordan’s response to LeBron claiming he could play in any era went viral.
McAfee then asked if he envisions if the two would ever be cool with one another.
“When you’re done do you think you two could have a conservation?”
“I would hope so,” James answered.
He went on to say that the reason he and Jordan don’t have much of a relationship right now is because James is still in the midst of his career.
“I think it’s because I’m still playing.
MJ, we all know, he’s one of the most ruthless competitors there is.
“Until I’m done and he doesn’t have to look at me run up and down wearing the number 23 and every time my name is mentioned, it’s mentioned with his.
“He’s like, I don’t want to f**** talk to you.
“Don’t talk to me right now, I’m on the back-nine do not call me,” James teased.
“MJ doesn’t wanna talk to me until I’m done.”
