Before LeBron’s rise to fame, Michael Jordan’s status as the ‘Greatest Player of All Time’ remained uncontested for years. Since joining the NBA, James has strived to emulate Jordan’s history and become the greatest basketball player of all time.
LeBron James and Michael Jordan are the most frequently compared players in NBA history. Despite being the focus of numerous discussions as the two front-runners for the Hall of Fame, former NBA player Shawn Kemp thinks they are inappropriate for the same discourse.
“I think LeBron is right up there. I don’t think he’s the best and I don’t think he has to be the best. And I don’t think LeBron James should be compared with Michael Jordan either. I think LeBron should be compared with Magic Johnson. Whoever started that sh*t up got it totally wrong. LeBron is not no damn Michael Jordan, Kobe is more Michael Jordan.” Kemp said.
He added, “They wanted to make a story for the news or something I guess so they just throw a name out there. But I don’t see how you can really compare those two. He’s such a bigger, stronger person than Michael Jordan was, and a more forceful person. With LeBron, I don’t think he could have done that back when we played.”
21 years later, LeBron is still debating who the greatest player of all time is, right beside Jordan. But Kemp says Magic Johnson would be a more fitting comparison with LeBron. The Lakers icon retired in 1996, having won five titles, three MVPs, twelve All-Star selections, and ten selections to the All-NBA team. Magic had a similar playstyle as the Lakers’ starting point guard, but he did not play as long as LeBron.
LeBron James And Michael Jordan’s GOAT Debate Isn’t Settling Any Time Soon
LeBron James plays a similar style to Johnson’s. He employs his intellect to create plays and set up the greatest chances for himself and his teammates rather than relying on his physical strength and perseverance to win the game. LeBron is a versatile player who can succeed at any position on the court.
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It can be argued that Michael Jordan is more akin to a contemporary Magic Johnson than any other former NBA great. However, LeBron James’s resume is unmatched. Kobe Bryant is the most similar player to Michael Jordan in NBA history, and the legendary Bulls player wouldn’t contest that.
James, who is 39 years old, will undoubtedly go down as one of the greats. But he didn’t dominate in the same manner as Michael did. James would rather play a subtle and collaborative kind of bully ball than a rough-and-tumble one, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Also Read: Is LeBron James The Greatest In NBA? A Statistical Analysis of The Basketball GOAT Debate
