The debate between LeBron James and Michael Jordan isn’t going anywhere, but the Lakers superstar is making one thing clear: the comparison has never defined him.
“I never have compared myself to MJ because our games are totally different,” James said speaking with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “I have been a point-forward/forward-point my whole life. I have always looked for the pass. MJ kind of looked for the shot. Not kind of, he did. He looked for the shot.
“There are a lot of things where I would say my game is a lot different and a little better than his, but s—, he was f—ing great. We’re both great. We’re both great basketball players.”
Even with the constant comparisons, James admitted the entire GOAT conversation has become exhausting over time.
“You can look at both of us and say that you love both of us without trying to s— on the other person. And usually, it’s s—ting on me,” James said. “But I know for sure that I’ve done my part in this journey.”
Still, the respect for Jordan runs deep. Growing up, James studied every detail of the Chicago icon’s game and used it as fuel.
“I never thought that I could be him, but I dreamed of the opportunity to live in the shoes that he lived in,” James said. “I dreamed of being able to be in a big game and hit a game winner as the clock went down. I dreamed of having my own sneaker. I dreamed of flying through the air like him. I dreamed of people screaming my name. Everything that he did. I needed inspiration from certain people in music and in sports during my upbringing. I needed that.”
That admiration extends to specific parts of Jordan’s skillset as well.
“There are a lot of things that MJ did better than I do,” James said, “and I think there are some things that I do better than him. That’s just how the game goes. There’s a lot of things that I can say in particular. You already know how this conversation is going to be [misinterpreted] by people, man.”
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