LeBron James on playing with Michael Jordan: Lakers star reflects on dream NBA duo

On the verge of starting his 23rd season in the NBA and becoming the longest-tenured player in league history, LeBron James reflected on Michael Jordan and imagined how it might have been to share the court with him.

In a recent conversation with Steve Nash on Mind The Game, and in front of a live audience at Fanatics Fest, LeBron spoke about the players who influenced him early in his basketball journey, and he didn’t hesitate to name the No. 1. “When you talk about inspiration, there was nobody more inspiring to me than Michael Jordan,” said the 40-year-old forward.

James immediately imagined how a partnership on the court with the Chicago Bulls legend might have worked. “For me, I think our games would have complemented each other well,” Bron explained. “MJ was a flat-out scorer. He had a scorer’s mentality if I had to pick him.”

That duo would have thrilled basketball fans, but timing stood in the way. Jordan retired for good after the 2002-03 season with the Washington Wizards at age 40, just as James was arriving in the NBA. He began his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers at age 18 in the 2003-04 season.

Although excited by the thought of teaming up with MJ, LeBron was careful to avoid sparking controversy. “I know I can’t pick him because I know how social media works. You’re gonna be like, ‘Oh, you want to play with Michael Jordan, too? You get to play with everybody else,’” said the Lakers star. “I didn’t ask the question. I’m only answering it, guys. But MJ was inspiration.”

LeBron has long expressed admiration for Jordan

Over more than two decades in the NBA, LeBron has repeatedly shown deep respect for Michael Jordan. That’s been evident not only in his words but in his choice of jersey number.

When he entered the league in 2003, James chose No. 23 with the Cleveland Cavaliers as a tribute to MJ, and perhaps also as a statement about his own ambitions. With Miami Heat, he couldn’t do the same — the franchise had already retired No. 23 in honor of Jordan. But with the Los Angeles Lakers, he returned to that tradition, except for a brief period when he wore No. 6.

LeBron names other players he admires

In the same conversation with Steve Nash, James mentioned other players who, like Michael Jordan, had a major influence on him. “Penny Hardaway was inspiration to me. Grant Hill was inspiration to me growing up. Like that point forward Scottie Pippen, that point forward,” LeBron listed. “Guys like Penny, like Grant Hill, like Scottie, those guys kind of inspired me because I kind of wanted to be that point forward.”

Finally, James named another Lakers icon among the players who left their mark on him. “I was going to say Kobe Bryant, but I actually played with Kobe in the Olympics, so rest his soul. Great Kobe. Great Kobe,” explained the 40-year-old forward.