A new report claims the tensions between LeBron James and Michael Jordan could be the reason behind James calling himself the ‘G.O.A.T.’
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LeBron James surprised the NBA fans when he called himself the Greatest Of All Time (G.O.A.T) in an episode of ‘More Than An Athlete’ – an eight-part series he produced with ESPN.
He stated that the win against Warriors in the 2016 finals assured him of the belief that he was the G.O.A.T.
“I was super, super ecstatic to win one for Cleveland because of the 52-year drought,” James said at that time. “The first wave of emotion was when everyone saw me crying, like, that was all for 52 years of everything in sports that’s gone on in Cleveland.
“And then after I stopped, I was like … that one right there made you the greatest player of all time.”
A list of NBA stars, including Kevin McHale and Isiah Thomas criticised James for his arrogance following the claim.
However, New York Post columnist Richard Johnson reports that the reason behind James’ outlandish claim could be the ‘hate’ between James and Michael Jordan.
Thompson states that Michael Jordan refused LeBron James the permission to use video from ‘His Airness’ for his documentary TV-series.
‘Shut Up and Dribble’ is a documentary series which was originally planned to explore three of the greatest draft classes – 1984, 1996 and 2003. However, Jordan’s refusal forced changes in the film about the 1984 NBA draft, in which Jordan was selected third.
What @kingjames considers being the GOAT 🐐
New episode of More Than An Athlete out on @espn+. pic.twitter.com/7XSQ2GpOVo— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) December 30, 2018
LeBron James and Michael Jordan’s rivalry is heating up https://t.co/m5KWNYCYOg pic.twitter.com/aWJmpPDGAs
— New York Post (@nypost) January 31, 2019
It is now a three-part about the civic activism of basketball players.
“LeBron was pi***ed at Michael Jordan — that’s why he lashed out,” a source told Richard Johnson.
While Michael Jordan’s camp was unavailable for an answer, Johnson talked to LeBron James’ adviser, Adam Mendelsohn, who denied that rejection from Jordan was an issue.
“LeBron has absolutely zero problem with Michael Jordan controlling his content, and didn’t even know it was requested,” Mendelsohn said.
Shaq on GOAT debate between Michael Jordan and LeBron James: “How come Kobe’s name is never brought up? I think it’s kind of disrespectful.” via @RichEisenShow #Lakers
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) January 31, 2019
Guys, the Tom Brady/Joe Montana and Michael Jordan/LeBron James debates are NOT the same. Brady has more finals appearances (9 v 4) AND RINGS (5/6 v 4). That’s key. The GOAT argument isn’t all defined by titles, but 6-0 (Jordan) and 3-6 (LeBron) are a VERY different discussion.
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) January 26, 2019
Throwback to when Kobe was asked about being the GOAT 👀🐐 pic.twitter.com/RRgLiewV7y
— Mamba Insider (@Mamba_Insider) January 23, 2019
An NBA insider, meanwhile, told Johnson, “LeBron’s people wanted an extensive amount of footage of Michael, and the league said, ‘You have to ask Michael.’ And his people said ‘no.'”
However, the insider also insisted that a rejection from Jordan is unlikely to cause hate between the two. “I think LeBron and Michael have fun with it.”
