LeBron James is often compared to Michael Jordan. Their styles of play and physical makeup are quite different, but King James and Air Jordan are two of the greatest players to ever touch an NBA court. Many people assume they have some sort of relationship with one another simply because they’re, well, MJ and LeBron. That doesn’t seem to be the case.
In a recent interview with ESPN the Magazine’s Chris Broussard, LeBron was asked if he ever wishes he had a closer relationship with Jordan.
“Ahhh, I mean, I don’t know,” LeBron said. “That’s a trick question. I do. I do at times. You know, he’s somebody who I looked up to, and I’ve never had a conversation with him about the game. I would love to sit down with him and just know exactly what he was going through and know what was his mind frame throughout all his special years.”
“And then also to hear him talk about me. I would like to know what he thinks about my game and ways I can get better. He probably thinks he can beat me one-on-one right now (laughing). I know he probably thinks that. I know MJ definitely thinks he can beat me one-on-one right now.”
Jordan recently said he could beat LeBron one-on-one in his prime, which isn’t a surprise. I highly doubt he thinks he could beat James right now, though he did say earlier this year that he believes he has found a flaw in LeBron’s game.
LeBron added that the two have not had a chance to develop a relationship because of their busy schedules, but ultimately he really had no reason for it.
“I think it’s just being busy. Obviously, I’m busy. MJ has a lot going on,” said James. “I don’t know the reasons, but it’s never been sparked. I’ve seen him at times. Of course, I’ve met him a few times. I went to his 50th birthday party at All-Star weekend. I went to his party to show respect and pay homage to the greatest. I had a conversation with him there. Obviously, there were a lot of people there. But I don’t know. I don’t know.”
For now, Jordan is probably waiting for LeBron’s career to pan out. Anyone who is familiar with MJ’s ego knows there is a small piece of him that is threatened by LeBron. Jordan doesn’t want LeBron to rattle off a string of NBA titles and get close to his six championships, just as he’s likely hoping Kobe Bryant doesn’t win another. Once LeBron retires, there will probably be plenty of time for a friendship with His Airness.
