LeBron says MJ’s competitive fire might delay their bond until after he hangs it up.

Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

LeBron James has long acknowledged Michael Jordan as the inspiration behind his career, but in his recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, the four-time MVP made a revealing admission: he and Jordan haven’t had much of a relationship—and it might stay that way until LeBron retires.

“Because I’m still playing. Think I’m still playing. I’m still focused on my craft right now.”

But when McAfee followed up, asking why they haven’t had deeper conversations, LeBron offered an answer steeped in understanding and realism.

“I would hope so… You know the funny thing is, me and Kobe never had a great relationship there. Olympic team ‘08, Olympic team ‘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 we never, I f***ed up one time, and you know, in ‘09, and didn’t beat Orlando. I think it was ‘09, didn’t beat Orlando and didn’t get an opportunity to play him in the Finals.”

“But like, until I became a Laker and then he retired, that’s when our relationship like became really, really good. You know, he like welcomed me, called me like, ‘Bro, anything you need in L.A., I got you. You’re a Laker now. You family,’ you know? And we would have multiple conversations.”

“Obviously, you saw him coming to a lot of games and things of that nature. And when I passed him in the scoring record in Philly, you know, I think he had a tweet out there like, ‘Keep on going, like keep transitioning the game, keep going.’ And that s*** like meant so much to me.”

“So like, I think it’s ’cause I’m still playing, you know? And MJ’s, we all know MJ, even if you don’t know him personally, he’s one of the most ruthless competitors there is.” 

“And ‘til I’m done, and he doesn’t have to look at me run up and down wearing the number 23, and every time my name is mentioned, it’s mentioned with his, he’s like, ‘I don’t f***ing talk to you. Don’t talk to me right now. I’m on the back nine. Do not call me.’” 

LeBron then went on to draw a fascinating parallel to his relationship with the late Kobe Bryant. For years, their bond wasn’t particularly close. Despite representing Team USA together in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, their connection remained defined by competition rather than camaraderie.

That heartfelt story set the stage for LeBron to explain his current standing with Jordan. As he sees it, Jordan’s fiercely competitive nature still governs his approach to current stars—especially those whose legacies are often measured alongside his.

It was said with a smirk and a laugh, but there was an unmistakable truth to it. The respect is mutual. The admiration is real. But as long as LeBron’s name continues to be a central part of the GOAT debate, it seems Jordan prefers to keep his distance.

The only time they’ve truly interacted at length was during the NBA 75th Anniversary celebration in Cleveland—a night LeBron described as filled with “respect, admiration” and “a surreal moment” given MJ’s influence on his life.

“Oh yeah, that was dope. That’s straight. That’s straight respect, admiration, and just like… you know, me for sure.” 

“I mean, s***, like I said, I wear 23 because of MJ, you know? And that s***, the inspiration that he gave me as a kid in Akron, Ohio, when you don’t have much inspiration in your hometown, you look at something.” 

“It’s gotta be somebody in sports, somebody in music, somebody on the TV screen. So like, Will Smith on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Michael Jordan playing for the Bulls, Jay-Z, Biggie, and Tupac. That was like, that was my inspirations. You know what I’m saying? Like, I needed that.”

At 40 years old, in his 22nd season, LeBron is still adding to that legacy. And while he may not get that deep conversation with Jordan yet, he’s hopeful the moment will come, once the competition is finally behind him.