Michael Jordan’s legacy in basketball is an impressive one, one that has inspired multiple people to take up the sport and has helped aspiring athletes carve their way through the ranks and make it to the NBA.
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Amongst the current crop of players, a lot of them have admitted to the fact that growing up, Michael Jordan was their favourite player, and they all wanted to be like him.
Kobe Bryant has been very vocal about how he tried to emulate Jordan during training sessions and it is thus no coincidence that he did play a lot like Jordan in his hay day.
LeBron too has spoken about how he was completely mesmerised by Jordan the first time he met him in person.
Now, while a lot of the current players praise Jordan, when Jordan goes ahead and praises any one of them, it does make the news.
At a time when there is a severe GOAT debate going on, we dug deep and found a Michael Jordan interview where he has revealed who he thinks is the best player from the current crop of players plying their trade in the NBA.
When asked by kids during a summer camp about if Kawhi Leonard could score a basket on himself, Jordan said that he assumed he could not.
“I don’t know, I assume not.” Jordan said.
Jordan then went onto say that Kawhi was possibly the best 2 way player in the league and the best in the game.
“The best two-way player in the game right now and probably the best in the game” Jordan said.
Leonard is a two time NBA defensive player of the year and Jordan is highly impressed with how he carries himself on the court, during offense and defense.
Jordan could have named LeBron, but he didn’t, and with LeBron’s recent comments of he being the GOAT, this statement of Jordan too could be scrutinised.
Shaq has also spoken highly of Kawhi Leonard, but he made it clear that he was the 2nd best player in the league and not the best.
“Kids you need to watch Kawhi Leonard and learn from him,” O’Neal said.
“This guy right here is a bona fide superstar. A lot of people don’t say it, but I’m saying it here right now. Kawhi Leonard is the second-best player in the league.” he added.
Jordan has never really gone on air to talk about LeBron’s influence in the modern game. He has credited him for his stance against Trump and the kind of work he has been doing for his community but never has he spoken very highly of his game on the court.
