The debate will continue forever: LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan. NBA fans, players and analysts have debated this for years, comparing stats, rings, impact, the way the game has changed, and more.
The pro basketball hall, Shaquille O’Neal of Famer, sits down with ‘All Things Covered’ to give his thoughts on the BOK conversation and reveals where he feels the gap between the two players is currently.
While some do not care about the speech, O’Neal says he believes James does care about others’ opinions.
“I know LeBron and I know he thinks about what people think,” the former Laker said.
Shaq admitted that “we are looking at statistics” and the difference in the two player numbers broke up.
“He has already overtaken Kobe and Jordan in points … he will also crawl on Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar). I think he wants to overtake Kareem,” Shaq said.
Looking at championships, James has four – he just got his fourth ring with the Lakers – while Bryant finished with five and Jordan with six.
“I think LeBron wants to tie Kobe up and connect Jordan with championships,” Shaq said. “If he had tied Mike up, I think people would probably be a little more inclined to think that LeBron is the best player in the world.”
While Shaq is currently leaning towards MJ over James, he does not rule out the possibility that it will turn around, saying that if James Abdul-Jabar sticks out in points and Jordan in rings, ‘the conversation is likely to change’.
James, 36, has been in the league since 2003 and shows no sign of leaving the league anytime soon.