LeBron James Settles the Debate on If He’s Better Than Michael Jordan

Natasha DyeWed, April 29, 2026 at 8:13 PM UTC

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LeBron James; Michael JordanCredit: Ronald Martinez/Getty; Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty -

LeBron James spoke to ESPN's Dave McMenamin about how fans compare him to seven-time NBA champion Michael Jordan

The Lakers star said he has "never compared myself to MJ because our games are totally different"

James described the debate as "a very tiring conversation" and "barbershop talk"

LeBron James is settling the GOAT debate.

After a nearly decade-long argument among NBA fans over whether James, 41, is the true "Greatest of All Time" NBA player or if six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan still holds the title, the Los Angeles Lakers star is weighing in.

"I never have compared myself to MJ because our games are totally different," James told ESPN's Dave McMenamin in a story published on Wednesday, April 29. James continued, "I have been a point-forward/forward-point my whole life. I have always looked for the pass. MJ kind of looked for the shot. Not kind of, he did. He looked for the shot."

LeBron James and Michael Jordan at the 2022 NBA All-Star GameCredit: Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty

James said he believes "a lot of things" about his game are "a lot different and a little better than" Jordan's, but told ESPN, "He was f---ing great. We're both great. We're both great basketball players."

The NBA's all-time leading scorer also said he believes "there are a lot of things" that Jordan "did better than I do" on the court. "And I think there are some things that I do better than him," he reiterated, adding, "That's just how the game goes."

James, currently playing in his 23rd NBA season, also joked with McMenamin that they both "already know how this conversation is going to be [misinterpreted] by people."

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Ultimately, James said he finds the debate to be "a very tiring conversation" and labeled it "barbershop talk."

"You can look at both of us and say that you love both of us without trying to s--- on the other person," James said. "And usually, it's s---ting on me...but I know for sure that I've done my part in this journey."

LeBron James on Jan. 22, 2026 in Los AngelesCredit: Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty

James said he thinks of himself as "one of one" and said he feels the same way about Jordan, calling the former Chicago Bull "a f---ing unbelievable basketball player."

"I grew up f---ing analyzing everything that he did, how he could get to his spot and rise up above everybody," James told ESPN. "I never thought that I could be him, but I dreamed of the opportunity to live in the shoes that he lived in," James said.

"I dreamed of being able to be in a big game and hit a game winner as the clock went down. I dreamed of having my own sneaker. I dreamed of flying through the air like him. I dreamed of people screaming my name. Everything that he did. I needed inspiration from certain people in music and in sports during my upbringing. I needed that," James told ESPN.

James and the Lakers are looking to advance to the second round of the NBA playoffs on Wednesday, April 29 with a win over the Houston Rockets. The Lakers currently lead three games to one in the series.

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Source: “AOL Sports”