Is the King the next MJ?

LeBron James is really good at basketball. It doesn't take a brain surgeon (or sports analyst) to know that. With LeBron’s accolades though, and the fact he is the most dominate all-around player in the game at the time being (and maybe in a long time), it is inevitable he will draw comparisons to the great one, number 23, Mr. Michael Jordan.

According to an ESPN report this week, MJ believes that Kobe Bryant, not LeBron, is the next…him. While speaking with NBA TV Jordan said, “ Five beats one every time I look at it, and not that (James) won’t get five. He may get more than that, but five is bigger than one.” While this is more of a time based statistic (James may win four more in his playing time), MJ is still convinced that the Black Mamba will have a better legacy than the King.

While an endorsement from Michael Jordan should be as good as gold (well, as long as we look over his “endorsement,” of the Bobcats), James doesn't seem too concerned. In regards to Jordan’s comments, James said, “If you take Kobe one and I go second, it doesn't matter. I don’t get too involved in what guys say about me or if you take Kobe or if you take LeBron. As long as I’m on the floor and I make plays for my teammates, I don’t do what I do for other people’s approval.” While the debate over player may still be up for grabs, Kobe’s decisions to publicly deface teammates and coaches puts James a far cry ahead in regards to PR (even with “The Decision”).

While words are one thing, James is having a career and record breaking season in the twilight of last season's NBA championship, championship MVP and gold medal win. This week alone he put himself in the middle of a record-breaking string of six games where he had at least 30 points shooting 60 percent. James is the King, and while he may not be MJ, maybe being the King is enough. 

Photo courtesy of The Reelace