LeBron James addressed the Michael Jordan comparisons in spectacular fashion in a refreshing commercial shot by Nike during his Cleveland days.
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James has been dubbed as ‘The Chosen One’ since his junior year of high school. The St. Vincent St. Mary’s product was featured on the Sports Illustrated cover at age 16. Some of his senior year high school games were broadcast on national television.
LeBron might be the rare example of the legendary athlete to have surpassed his incoming hype. He was drafted at 18 years old with the no.1 pick with the expectation of turning out as a Hall of Famer.
At age 36, he’s set to enter his 19th season in professional basketball. He’s cemented a legacy as the greatest player in the game this side of Michael Jordan. Many basketball legends are ready to anoint him as the greatest if he can win another championship.
A hilarious Nike commercial references the comparisons between LeBron James and Michael Jordan
James shot a commercial with Nike in 2006. This advertisement featured a number of LeBron clones of various ages commenting on his training regimen.
One of the old-looking clones referenced his playoff defeat to the Detroit Pistons that year. He also invoked the inevitable Micheal Jordan comparison as the young LeBron lay in the pool:
“You can’t get past Detroit training in the pool. You think Michael Jordan trained in the pool? No, I don’t think so.”
This commercial features an all-time hip-hop classic by Kool and the Jam called Summer Madness. It makes LeBron’s acting in his various clone forms even more remarkable.
One would think that James’s abilities while shooting commercials would translate to movies. But judging from the reception for Space Jam 2, that may not be the case.
