Rusty Weiss
In a wide-ranging ESPN interview published on Wednesday, LeBron James offered his most direct comparison yet to Michael Jordan, acknowledging that the two superstars have stylistic differences while avoiding a claim that he is the outright GOAT.
Which is good, because that’s not a claim anybody with a working set of eyes and a decent knowledge of basketball would take seriously.
The Lakers superstar, now in his 23rd NBA season, described himself as a “point-forward” who has always prioritized passing, in contrast to Jordan’s shot-first mentality.
“I never have compared myself to MJ because our games are totally different. I have been a point-forward/forward-point my whole life and I have always looked for the pass. MJ kind of looked for the shot,” James said. “Not kind of, he did. He looked for the shot.”
“There are a lot of things where I would say my game is a lot different and a little better than his, but s—, he was f—ing great,” he added. “We’re both great. We’re both great basketball players.”
LeBron noted how his comments would be received in the passionate GOAT debate, calling it “a very tiring conversation” and “barbershop talk.”
LeBron Admits Stylistic Edge Over MJ, But Jordan’s Killer Instinct Reigns Supreme With Fans
In a series of interviews with ESPN, LeBron James discusses the GOAT debate, which of his records he thinks is unbreakable and what he's going to do after basketball.
— ESPN (@espn) April 29, 2026
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The four-time champion expressed respect for Jordan’s impact and hoped he had made the Bulls icon proud by wearing No. 23. He urged fans to appreciate both players without diminishing one to elevate the other.
Tucked away in there somewhere, though, was a comment that many basketball fans who go with the Chicago Bulls legend as the GOAT feel is what sets the two apart.
“Obviously, his post-game was elite,” James continued. “His will to win. I think that is a trait that we all know and that we all want to be like. His determination to win.”
That seems to fall in line with the opinion of another NBA all-time great, Shaquille O’Neal. The Diesel notes that LeBron lacks the intangibles Kobe (Bryant) and Mike had.
“I’ve heard players say, including myself, ‘I feared Mike.’ I’ve heard players in your generation say, ‘I feared Kobe.’ I never really heard any players say they fear LeBron,” O’Neal said.
Some people argue that Jordan is the greatest of all time due to his six NBA championships, five MVP awards, and numerous scoring titles. Others believe Kobe was a more skilled player, particularly in his scoring and clutch shooting.
When you faced either of those men, you marked it on the calendar. And then you worried about it for weeks. Jordan and Kobe also played in an era when the NBA actually had this thing called defense.
LeBron is an all-time great player, to be sure. His versatility, all-around skills, and longevity, evident in his continued high-level play in 2026, are remarkable.
However, he’d have a tough time cracking the top 10 in a level-headed analyst’s review. Jordan, Bryant, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Shaq, Bill Russell, Oscar Robertson, Julius Erving — You’re going to put LeBron ahead of them?
