LeBron James explains why he doesn't talk to Michael Jordan and when he will
Michael Jordan isn't interested in speaking to LeBron James, according to the Los Angeles Lakers star himself, but things may change once he retires from the NBA
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has admitted that he doesn't speak with fellow NBA legend Michael Jordan, and doesn't expect to until he retires from basketball.
James is considered one of the all-time basketball greats alongside Jordan, with both stars consistently named in the same conversation. James has longevity on his side, and aged 40, could exercise the player option in his two-year, $101.3 million contract next season.
Jordan has championships on his side, after winning six titles with the Chicago Bulls, while James is stuck on four. Although James may be competing against Jordan's legacy, he still credits the Bulls legend for being his role model and hopes to form a friendship once he retires from the sport.
James featured on Tuesday's 'Pat McAfee Show' and was asked about his relationship with Jordan. "Yeah, we are in a good spot, but we don't talk," James said. "Because I'm still playing, and I'm still focused on my craft right now.
When asked if there was a possibility that James and Jordan could bond in the future, the Lakers star replied: "I hope so." James went on to compare the situation to his complicated relationship with the late Kobe Bryant, which only took off once he joined the Lakers in 2018.
"Me and Kobe never had a great relationship either, until we were on the Olympic team," James added. "Had a great relationship there. Olympic team 08, Olympic team 12. But it was always competitive between us.
"I was on the East Coast, he was on the West Coast. Until I became a Laker and then he retired, that's when our relationship became really, really good. He welcomed me, called me and was like, 'You're a Laker now, you're family, anything you need just call me.'
"We were having multiple conversations, and when I passed him in the scoring record, he had a tweet out there like, 'Keep on going.' That means to much to me."
After opening up about his delayed friendship with Bryant, James went on to explain why he believes that Jordan isn't interested in pursuing a bond at this time. "I think it's because I'm still playing. And MJ, we all know MJ, even if you don't personally, he's one of the most ruthless competitors there is," James said.
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"Until I'm done, and he doesn't have to look at me run up and down wearing the No. 23, and every time my name is mentioned it's mentioned with his, he's like, 'I don't wanna talk to you right now.' But, I wear No. 23 because of MJ."
Jordan has no known beef with James, but has rarely spoke about the current NBA star publicly. Years ago, Jordan gave a rare interview and was asked about James, stating that he's one of the best players ever but admitted that he wasn't keen on the comparisons.
"We play in different eras," Jordan said. "He's an unbelievable player. He's one of the best players in the world, if not the best player in the world. I know it's a natural tendency to compare eras to eras. It's going to continue to happen.
"I'm a fan of his. I love watching him play. But as you can see, our league is starting to expand on very talented players. I think he's made his mark. He will continue to do so over a period of time. But when you start the comparisons, I think it is what it is. It's just a standup measurement. I take it with a grain of salt. He's a heck of a basketball player, without a doubt."