Michael Jordan’s true feelings on LeBron James comparisons laid bare as ‘private’ conversation leaks

LeBron James’ pursuit of a fifth ring ended as the Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Los Angeles Lakers.

Speculation will rage about King James’ future with Luka Doncic already handed the keys to the Purple and Gold.

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The 22-time All-Star has nothing left to prove after becoming the greatest scorer in the history of basketball.

But one question will always hang over his legacy: Is the 41-year-old the GOAT?

Six-time champion Michael Jordan is the other contender with the majority of fans, analysts and players past and present agreeing the two greats stand apart.

The King weighed in on the debate in a chat with interview, claiming that  it usually leads to people “s***ing” on him.”

It is true that people on both sides of the polarizing discussion often cross the line and, of course, there can be no definitive answer.

Michael Jordan tried to shield LeBron James from pile-on

Washington Post sportswriter Michael Wilbon appeared on First Take in April to discuss the negativity, and revealed a ‘private’ conversation he had with MJ early in LeBron’s career.

“I remember having a conversation with Michael who said, ‘Hey, take it easy. When you talk about this tomorrow, take it easy on this kid. And here’s why.’ “And Michael had a list of reasons of things that he really liked about LeBron James,” Wilbon said.

“He didn’t have to do that! But he understood what was going to go on publicly because he had been on the other end of that early in his career.”

James infamously took his Cleveland Cavaliers jersey off while leaving the court after getting bounced by the Boston Celtics in the 2010 NBA playoffs.

Jordan knew the pain of defeat after going 0-6 against Larry Bird’s Celtics and losing to the bitter rival Detroit Pistons back-to-back in the postseason.

“Michael understood despair in the playoffs,” Wilbon added. “So, he wanted to soften that blow for LeBron James, who was coming up later.

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“If people think Jordan has somehow resented LeBron, they’re wrong.”

While Jordan and LeBron hardly discuss each other in public, there is clearly incredible respect behind the scenes.

Wilbon did pick out one area where he thinks James is the undisputed GOAT.

He explained: “If I had a list of people I love talking to the goats of postgame analysis in the moment after a tough loss after championship exaltation and you’ve got Magic [Johnson] and you’ve got Michael… Ray Allen and and just like all kinds of people I’m at a loss now, Grant Hill and Allen Iverson, LeBron James goes to the top of that.

“You can’t talk to anybody about the game who does it more beautifully afterward in terms of anticipating, engaging, listening to what you’re saying, doing the viewer, listener a service in in in the explanation, in the insight.

“No one’s better than LeBron at that. Over years of time. LeBron, 20 years, I’ve never had a conversation with him that I didn’t come away with something unbelievably memorable.”

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The GOAT debate cannot ever be settled, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

It’s probably better just to celebrate greatness.

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