The argument for the greatest player in NBA history often comes down to Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James and Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan. But regardless of who one puts at the top of their list, one thing that both James and Jordan share is a massive influence around the world that far exceeds sports.
Of course, this could lead to some debating who is the more influential athlete, but James is not willing to get into that argument. In an interview with Sean Gregory of Time Magazine, James insisted that he is just focused on his own journey in his life and isn’t trying to measure up to Jordan:
When I invite James to agree that he’s a more influential athlete than Jordan, he just laughs. “You ask somebody that grew up in the Jordan era, they’re gonna say Jordan,” says James. “You ask somebody who grew up in the LeBron era”—he pauses for a beat—“they’re still gonna say Jordan.” Which he understands. “Listen, to each his own,” he says. “I can tell you this. I never step my feet in another man’s shoes, saying, ‘OK, well, sh-t, I got to do better than him.’ My journey is my journey. I do what I do. I know what I’ve brought to the table. From a basketball standpoint, an inspiring standpoint, an influential standpoint, I know I can walk in any room.”
It is pointless to engage in any sort of debate or argument on a subject like this, especially from James’ standpoint. In his era, James is clearly the most influential basketball player and the same goes for Jordan during his time.
As far as James is concerned, his career is not about trying to catch or surpass Jordan as the greatest of all-time, but rather to do what he wants in order to be happy and satisfied that he gave the game everything he had. And there is no question that he is doing that and will continue to do so until he no longer wants to.
Charles Barkley believes there is one obvious choice for LeBron James
James has a big decision to make on whether he will continue his career next season and if he does, who he will play for as he is an unrestricted free agent this summer. In the eyes of Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, there is one clear choice on who to suit up for if he plays another year.
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