An NBA insider has gotten honest about the relationship between Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James and former Hall of Fame Chicago Bulls shooting guard Michael Jordan.
During an appearance on the Basketball Society podcast, longtime NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson suggested that Jordan and James’ relationship could improve the closer James gets to hanging up his Nikes for good.
When that will happen is anyone’s guess.
James faces a tenuous future in Los Angeles
The 6-foot-9 pro, who at 40 is set to be the league’s most active player for the third straight season, failed to reach a new agreement with L.A. this summer and instead is playing out an expiring $52.6 million deal.
He remains a potent player even 22 years into his NBA career (already a league record, which the four-time MVP will extend this season). In 70 healthy games last year, James averaged 24.4 points on .513/.376/.782 shooting splits, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds a night for the 50-32 Lakers.
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“I think Michael and LeBron’s conversations will enhance more when LeBron is towards the end, which could happen sooner rather than later. A lot of people feel like LeBron was chasing Michael’s ghost, which was part of the reason why LeBron never joined the Chicago Bulls,” Robinson said.
James and Jordan have often been compared amidst debates of the NBA’s all-time best player. Jordan has the MVP and championship hardware (he’s a five-time MVP and a six-time champ), but James has the insane longevity. James has also brought his teams to a whopping 10 NBA Finals, as opposed to six for Jordan. Jordan has won all of his, while James has gone 4-for-10.
“Comparatively, when you look at LeBron and Michael, there’s just so much being compared and contrasted,” the insider added. “When you’re no longer seen as a threat, LeBron could win two more championships, whether in Los Angeles, whether he signs somewhere else, or whether he gets traded. LeBron’s story is still being written. You don’t want to give your competitor any type of advice to chase me, meaning Michael.”
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