At some point the Michael Jordan comparisons need to end. Kobe Bryant. LeBron James. Kevin Durant. Each of these three NBA champs have been compared to His Airness multiple times throughout their careers.
If we expected the comparisons to end heading into the 2019 NBA Finals between the Toronto Raptors and Golden State Warriors, we were sadly mistaken.
Talking on ESPN Tuesday evening, Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers compared Raptors star Kawhi Leonard to Jordan. He did so in a pretty obvious way.
To be clear, Mr. Rivers might have an ulterior motive here. His Clippers are currently favored to land Leonard in free agency this summer. It can’t hurt to shower the All-Star with a ton of praise.
We would like to see Leonard actually win one NBA title before he’s being compared to the greatest to ever suit up.
With that said, Toronto’s best player has been an absolute dynamo on both ends of the court thus far in the playoffs. He’s averaging 31.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals on 51% shooting. What he’s done has not been accomplished since Jordan was dominating for the Bulls.
Then again, a certain Warriors player is in the history books for his Western Conference Finals performance.
Game 1 between the Warriors and Raptors tips off in Toronto Thursday evening. It should be a whole lot of fun.