LeBron James stated that he does not compare himself to Michael Jordan because their playing styles are fundamentally different. He emphasized that while both are great players, he has always been a point-forward focused on passing, unlike Jordan, who sought to score.
Key points
LeBron James does not compare himself to Michael Jordan.
James emphasizes their different playing styles.
He identifies as a point-forward focused on passing.
Jordan was known for seeking to score.
Both players are recognized as great in basketball.
Mentioned in this story
LeBron JamesMichael Jordan
The G.O.A.T. debate in pro basketball will never end, as most hoops experts have narrowed the list down to two players: Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
James was asked about the debate and Jordan's influence on his game.
"I never have compared myself to MJ because our games are totally different," James said to ESPN.com. "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 (expletive), he was (expletive) great. We're both great. We're both great basketball players."
Michael Jordan, Laney High School (NC)
LeBron James, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (OH)
Kobe Bryant, Lower Merion High School (PA)
Stephen Curry, Charlotte Christian School (NC)
Q&A
What did LeBron James say about Michael Jordan's influence on his game?
LeBron James mentioned that he has never compared himself to Michael Jordan, highlighting that their games are fundamentally different.
How does LeBron James describe his playing style compared to Michael Jordan?
LeBron describes himself as a point-forward who looks for the pass, while he notes that Jordan primarily looked for the shot.
What is LeBron James' opinion on the G.O.A.T. debate between him and Michael Jordan?
LeBron acknowledges that both he and Jordan are great basketball players, but he believes their styles and approaches to the game differ significantly.
Why does LeBron James believe his game is different from Michael Jordan's?
LeBron believes his game is different because he has always focused on passing rather than scoring, which he attributes to his role as a point-forward.
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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Power Memorial Academy (NY)
Earvin 'Magic' Johnson, Everett High School (MI)
Larry Bird, Springs Valley High School (IN)
Bill Russell, McClymonds High School (CA)
Wilt Chamberlain, Overbrook High School (PA)
Shaquille O'Neal, Cole High School (TX)
Tim Duncan, St. Dunstan's Episcopal High School (U.S. Virgin Islands)
Kevin Durant, Montrose Christian School (MD)
Allen Iverson, Bethel High School (VA)
Oscar Robertson, Crispus Attucks High School (IN)
Elgin Baylor, Spingarn High School (DC)
Jerry West, East Bank High School (WV)
Julius Erving, Roosevelt High School (NY)
Moses Malone, Petersburg High School (VA)
Kevin Garnett, Farragut Career Academy (IL)/Mauldin High School (SC)
Charles Barkley, Leeds High School (AL)
Karl Malone, Summerfield High School (LA)
David Robinson, Osbourn Park High School (VA)
Isiah Thomas, St. Joseph High School (IL)
John Havlicek, Bridgeport High School (OH)
Pete Maravich, Daniel High School (SC)
Chris Paul, West Forsyth High School (NC)
Meadowlark Lemon, Wiliston High School (NC)
Dwyane Wade, Harold L. Richards High School (IL)
1 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Michael Jordan, Laney High School (NC)
1 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Michael Jordan, Laney High School (NC)
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Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
LeBron James, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (OH)
3 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Kobe Bryant, Lower Merion High School (PA)
4 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Stephen Curry, Charlotte Christian School (NC)
5 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Power Memorial Academy (NY)
6 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Earvin 'Magic' Johnson, Everett High School (MI)
7 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Larry Bird, Springs Valley High School (IN)
8 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Bill Russell, McClymonds High School (CA)
9 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Wilt Chamberlain, Overbrook High School (PA)
10 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Shaquille O'Neal, Cole High School (TX)
11 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Tim Duncan, St. Dunstan's Episcopal High School (U.S. Virgin Islands)
12 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Kevin Durant, Montrose Christian School (MD)
13 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Allen Iverson, Bethel High School (VA)
14 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Oscar Robertson, Crispus Attucks High School (IN)
15 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Elgin Baylor, Spingarn High School (DC)
16 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Jerry West, East Bank High School (WV)
17 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Julius Erving, Roosevelt High School (NY)
18 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Moses Malone, Petersburg High School (VA)
19 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Kevin Garnett, Farragut Career Academy (IL)/Mauldin High School (SC)
20 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Charles Barkley, Leeds High School (AL)
21 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Karl Malone, Summerfield High School (LA)
22 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
David Robinson, Osbourn Park High School (VA)
23 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Isiah Thomas, St. Joseph High School (IL)
24 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
John Havlicek, Bridgeport High School (OH)
25 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Pete Maravich, Daniel High School (SC)
26 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Chris Paul, West Forsyth High School (NC)
27 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Meadowlark Lemon, Wiliston High School (NC)
28 / 28
Who's the NBA's GOAT? 30 players who have the best claim
Dwyane Wade, Harold L. Richards High School (IL)
The 41-year-old James is the league's all-time scoring leader, and ranks No. 1 in games played as well as being the active leader in rebounds, assists, and steals.
"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."
James and Jordan may be different basketball players, but they agree on the GOAT conversation overall.
Jordan weighed in on the topic in March, telling CBS News, "There's no such thing as G.O.A.T. To say that one is better than the other, it's not really right," while James called the debate a "very tiring conversation" and "barbershop talk."
"I think I am one of one. I think the way I play the game, I am a one-of-one player. And MJ, as well. A (expletive) unbelievable basketball player," James said. "I think his midrange jump shot was unbelievable. He did so many things great. I grew up (expletive) analyzing everything that he did, how he could get to his spot and rise up above everybody. Obviously, his post game was elite. His will to win. I think that is a trait that we all know and that we all wanted to be like. His determination to win."
