Los Angeles Lakers superstar forward LeBron James has made heads turn Wednesday morning with his appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.
James has spoken on a variety of topics with the former NFL kicker. One topic that he discussed was his complicated relationship with arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan.
James admitted that he and Jordan don’t talk, and he suspects it is because he is still in the league.
Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
“Me and Michael Jordan are in a good spot,” James said on the Pat McAfee show. “We don’t talk. I think [it’s because] I’m still playing. I’m still focused on my craft right now.”
“We all know MJ. Even if you don’t know him personally, he’s one of the most ruthless competitors around,” Lebron said. “And till I’m done, and he doesn’t have to look at me run up and down wearing the No. 23, and every time my name is mentioned, it’s mentioned with his. He’s like, ‘I don’t f**king talk to you. Don’t talk to me right now. Do not call me.'”
“Me & Michal Jordan are in a good spot..
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” 😂😂… pic.twitter.com/axbmfJJvQk
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 26, 2025
The four-time champion was as unfiltered as ever on the show.
The 40-year-old superstar didn’t just talk about his relationship with Jordan, but also his relationship with the late great Kobe Byrant. James said the Lakers legend and himself didn’t become close till he joined the Lakers in the summer of 2018.
“Me and Kobe never had a real relationship either until we were on the Olympic team,” James mentioned. “We had a great relationship there. Olympic team 2008, Olympic team 2012, but it was always competitive between us.
“Until I became a Laker and then he retired, that’s when our relationship became really, really good,” LeBron added. “He welcomed me, ‘Call me, bro. Anything you need in LA, I got you. You’re a Laker now, you’re family.'”
Some of this unspoken beef between the two may be related to the ongoing GOAT debate/conversation. Whether it has to do with that or not, it is clear that James admires the Chicago Bulls legend.
The animosity between the fans will always exist; however, James clearly has no hard feelings toward him, and the same could be said for Jordan.
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