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LeBron James shares his perspective on the ongoing debate about who is the greatest of all time in basketball, acknowledging the comparisons to Michael Jordan. He emphasizes his respect for Jordan amidst the discussion.
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LeBron James reveals his own thoughts on Michael Jordan GOAT debate originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
LeBron James has known for a long time that his NBA career will always be compared to Michael Jordan.
They're two legends of the game of basketball, each with so many supporters on their sides of the greatest of all time argument.
Does the GOAT argument even matter? That's a discussion for another day.
What's clear, in a new ESPN article on Wednesday, is how much James respects Jordan.
"I hope I made him proud at least, wearing that No. 23," LeBron told ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
James spoke to ESPN about how long before he was in the NBA, he was hoping to 'be like Mike.'
"I never thought that I could be him, but I dreamed of the opportunity to live in the shoes that he lived in," James told ESPN. "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."
James' NBA career has lasted a lot more games. He's scored more points than anyone in the history of basketball.
Jordan holds the 6-0 record in NBA Finals, while James currently has a 4-6 mark in the last series of the season.
Still, as those who have had this GOAT argument know, it's not always easy to compare.
"I never have compared myself to MJ because our games are totally different," James told ESPN. "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."
LeBron James expressed his thoughts on the GOAT debate, highlighting his respect for Michael Jordan while acknowledging the comparisons throughout his career.
LeBron James questions the importance of the GOAT debate, suggesting it may not matter as much as the respect between players.
LeBron James's comments come in light of an ESPN article discussing the ongoing comparisons between him and Michael Jordan in the basketball community.
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James also admitted to ESPN that "there are a lot of things MJ did better than I do," and then pointed out the inverse is true, as well.
The man they call King James has spent more time this year talking about his legacy. He knows the end is near, whether retirement comes after this season or sometime down the road.
Somehow, these two players that never played against one another will likely be side by side in basketball history for a long, long time.