LeBron James and Michael Jordan have been the frontrunners in the NBA GOAT debate for quite a while now. However, King James grew up idolizing MJ and looking up to him as the GOAT. But soon his idol became his competition in the All-Time debate. Here’s a throwback to when LeBron hailed MJ as the real GOAT in the prime of his career.
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Back in 2012, LeBron James, who was months away from winning his first NBA Championship, made an interesting proclamation. Taking to Twitter, The King wished his idol, Michael Jordan a Happy Birthday.
It was a heartfelt wish, but that was not what made it interesting. Then playing for the Miami Heat, James, labeled His Airness to be the GOAT.
“Happy B-day to the person I idolized and wanna to be just like as a kid playing the game of basketball Michael Jordan. #The G.O.A.T.”
High praise from a man who many believe now gives MJ quite the challenge for the very same title. But it’s not that surprising, especially considering how LeBron was nowhere close to the GOAT discussion at the time.
Happy B-day to the person I idolized and wanna to be just like as a kid playing the game of basketball Michael Jordan. #TheG.O.A.T.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 17, 2012
The LeBron James-led Miami Heat’s shocking loss against the underrated Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals really had the NBA world questioning whether King James deserved to be hailed as MJ’s successor. It was only after LeBron defeated the 73-9 Warriors coming back from a 1-3 deficit in the 2016 Finals, that LeBron entered the GOAT discussion.
So, the 2012 tweet is not surprising at all. In fact, LBJ has always been fascinated with watching Jordan play ball.
The King along with his friend turned business partner Maverick Carter had the pleasure of watching Jordan’s workout in Chicago when he was just 16 years old. And, he’s been in disbelief ever since. Here’s an excerpt from Brian Windhorst’s LeBron Inc. that depicts LBJ’s fascination for MJ:
“When LeBron was sixteen, he and Carter went to Chicago to play in some pickup games with some NBA players… Then a high-end sports car pulled into the lot and Michael Jordan got out. LeBron and Carter were numb. Jordan was having some semi-secret workouts as he plotted his final return to the NBA. He spent twenty to thirty minutes getting to know LeBron that day. Of course, Jordan was LeBron’s idol, and the moment overwhelmed him.”
It certainly is quite the throwback. After all, fast forward to 2023, and things are significantly different. Both MJ and LeBron are now vying for the GOAT title.
Jordan and LeBron are undoubtedly the two greatest players in NBA history
As things stand, there can be no denying that the top two players in NBA history, in no particular order, are Michael Jordan and LeBron James. The two have been vying for the title of GOAT ever since King James won his third title in Cleveland. The thing is, both of them can make a good case for the title.
MJ is undefeated in the Finals, has six Championships, and has a host of other awards. On the other hand, Bron is the all-time leading scorer and has a few championships to his name as well.
At the end of the day, both of them are suitable candidates for the throne. And, while this debate may rage on for years and years to come, nothing will take away from their greatness.
