Whenever the Greatest Of All-Time (G.O.A.T) debate in basketball pops up, three names have always been thrown in: Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and the late great Kobe Bryant.
And on a rare occasion, James spoke about his relationship with both Jordan and Bryant during an hour-long interview in the "The Pat McAfee Show".
Although the Lakers superstar said that he and MJ are in a “good spot,” the 40-year-old revealed they aren’t constantly on speaking terms for one fascinating reason.
"We don't talk because I'm still playing. I'm still focused on my craft right now," the four-time champion admitted.
“Me & Michal Jordan are in a good spot..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 26, 2025
I hope that we talk more when I’m done playing..
Me & Kobe never had a real relationship until we were at the Olympics together..
We were like family once he retired & I became a Laker..
MJ doesn’t wanna talk to me until I’m done” 😂😂…
James also believed that once he’s done with his career, he is open to building a relationship with MJ off the court.
“Even if you don't know him [Jordan] personally, he is one of the most ruthless competitors there is and until I'm done and he doesn't have to look at me running up and down wearing the No. 23 and every time my name is mentioned, it's mentioned with his,” the four-time champion added.
Speaking of no. 23, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer also bared it was because of Jordan he wore the iconic number mostly in his professional basketball career.
“I wear 23 because of MJ. The inspiration that he gave me as a kid in Akron, Ohio, who doesn't have much inspiration in your hometown."
“I do wear number 23 because of Michael Jordan..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 26, 2025
I signed with Nike because I got a hell of a signing bonus and moved my mom outta the hood the day after I signed that contract..
I also wanted to wear Nike off the court” @KingJames #PMSLive
James also went on to compare his relationship to Jordan with fellow Lakers great in Bryant, detailing how their friendship blossomed throughout the years.
"The funny thing is, me and Kobe -- the late, great Kob, obviously -- me and Kobe never had a real relationship either," the three-time Finals MVP admitted.
However, being part of two USA teams who went on to win gold in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics started an unlikely friendship between two rivals.
"We were on the [USA] Olympic team, we had a great relationship there. The Olympic team in '08, the Olympic team in '12, but it was always competitive between us. We were always like, I was on the East Coast, he was on the West Coast, and it was like even though ... in '09 and we didn't beat Orlando and didn't get an opportunity to play him in the Finals [there was a competitive friction]," James elaborated.
And once Bryant retired in 2016 and James joined the Lakers two years later, their bond got only stronger.
"That's when our relationship became really, really good. He welcomed me. He called me, like, 'Bro, anything you need in L.A., I got you. You're a Laker now. You're family.' And we would have multiple conversations,” he added.
