Michael Jordan didn’t win six NBA championships and five NBA MVP awards by lacking confidence in his abilities. So when people ask M.J. who he thinks would win in a game of 1-on-1 between him and Lebron James, they usually know what’s coming.
On Saturday, Jordan fielded several questions from fans at his basketball camp in Santa Barbara. When he was asked if he could beat LeBron 1-on-1 in his prime, Jordan joked that he knew his response was going to go viral. That didn’t discourage him.
“No question!” he said.
There’s no player on earth Jordan feels could beat him when he was in his prime, and deservedly so. However, he alluded to the fact that he would have some trouble against LeBron at his current age when a camper asked if he would rather play 1-on-1 against Stephen Curry or James.
“Right now, or when I was in my prime? Right now? Buddy, I couldn’t beat — well, I’d go against [Stephen] Curry because I’m a little bit bigger than him,” Jordan explained. “So I could kind of back him in. But LeBron is a little bit too big.”
LeBron would kill Jordan in a game of 1-on-1 if they played today, and that’s not a knock on Jordan’s career or legacy. His Airness may have schooled Charlotte Bobcats players during practice a few years back, but he turned 52 in February.
Believe it or not, we have seen proof that there are plenty of people who believe Jordan could beat Lebron in a game of 1-on-1 right now. Even Jordan knows that wouldn’t happen.
You can see the full video of Jordan answering questions from his campers below:
