No one in sports media is more connected to both Michael Jordan and LeBron James than Michael Wilbon. According to Wilbon, the perception of their competition is not what it seems.
Wilbon appeared on “First Take” on Wednesday and explained how Jordan often told people at ESPN to take it easy on James not winning a championship early in his career.
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“It took seven years for LeBron to win the title, just like it took Michael,” said Wilbon. “I remember having a conversation with Michael after James lost to the Celtics in the 2020 playoffs. Michael said, ‘Hey, take it easy on this kid.’ And Michael had a list of things he really liked about LeBron James. “
“If people think Jordan somehow hates LeBron, they’re wrong.”
LeBron James and Michael Jordan attend the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio, on Feb. 20, 2022. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
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The segment includes an ESPN profile on James as his career winds down. In the interview, James discussed choosing to wear the number 23 in honor of his childhood idol.
“I hope I made him at least proud, wearing that No. 23,” James told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
Regardless of how James viewed Jordan during his playing days, talk shows put the two at odds during much of James’ time. Skip Bayless has created debates about LeBron vs. Jordan at almost every stage of James’ career.
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LeBron vs. Jordan described the era of “hot takes” for sports media. It featured not only Bayless but also Stephen A. Smith, Nick Wright, Colin Cowherd and Shannon Sharpe.
The debate was very symbolic. No one is truly the greatest. It is not a real title. Nevertheless, fans have embraced, engaged and argued about it on social media.
Interest in the debate faded later in James’s career. His move to the Lakers marked a departure from Jordan’s six-game winning streak, though he did win a fourth title in his second season in Los Angeles.
Michael Wilbon speaks to the media during Game One of the 2023 NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on June 1, 2023. (Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
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James has also been a prominent figure in 2018 as he leans on political, social and racial issues. That change coincided with a drop in viewership for his games.
By contrast, Jordan preached, “Republicans buy sneakers too.” Jordan appealed to all sports fans. James cut his appeal in half by criticizing Donald Trump, supporting BLM and defending the Chinese Communist Party.
Between Jordan’s apolitical bona fides and six rings, the public has made a decision: Jordan is bigger than LeBron.
Wilbon head coach Michael Wilbon smiles during the roster presentation before the NBA All Star-Celebrity Game at Wintrust Arena on Feb. 14, 2020. (Quinn Harris/USA TODAY Sports)
However, as Wilbon reports, the controversy did not drive Jordan or James as much as the media and audience did. That context is important as James approaches the final stages of his career. Regardless of what you think of Jacobs as a person, he is one of the greatest American athletes of all time.
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Story: He led the Lakers to a 3-1 series lead over the Rockets at the age of 41, while his stars were out with injuries.
If you enjoy Michael Wilbon’s insight, he’s spoken to OutKick twice in the past year. You can read those interviews here: Part 1 and Part 2.
