Dwyane Wade: LeBron James cannot pass Michael Jordan

There is perhaps no one connected to the basketball world in a more awkward position than Dwyane Wade when it comes to comparisons between LeBron James and Michael Jordan, but D-Wade delivered a harsh truth this week when talking about his former teammate and close friend.

Surpassing the legacy of Jordan is not possible.

Wade, who had said in recent years that LeBron is catching up to M.J., seems to have changed his tune slightly.

“No, it’s not possible,” he told Nick Friedell of ESPN.com. “It’s not possible.”

You know LeBron isn’t going to appreciate that. With plenty of good basketball left ahead of him, King James has already won three championships. While incredibly unlikely, wouldn’t three — or even four — more rings coupled with the fact that he came back and brought a title to Cleveland make LeBron’s legacy arguably more impressive?

Back in 2012, Wade used a golf analogy when comparing Jordan and James. He said M.J. is currently on the 18th hole of his career whereas LeBron is only on the 4th, so there’s no telling where LeBron’s score will end up. Suddenly, D-Wade is confident that score won’t be lower than that of His Airness.

“The only thing you can do is tie it,” Wade said. “There’s no 19th hole. I think last year — not only in my eyes, but in a lot of people’s eyes — really put him … he’s on the 15th hole right now. And he’s on his way, for sure.

“You can’t go past it. How can you? That’s as great as it gets, man. The only thing you can do, like I said, is be A-1, A-B. There’s no way higher.”

Wade’s view is a realistic one, but it should be noted that he grew up in Chicago rooting for Jordan as a kid. And, of course, he now plays for the Bulls. Saying LeBron can surpass M.J. would probably get D-Wade’s car egged or worse.

As we know, LeBron has a different outlook on where he stands in comparison with Jordan. Maybe his best friend is just giving him some added motivation.