LeBron James has revealed the exact reason why he does not communicate with Michael Jordan and explained when he thinks the dynamic will change.
The pair of NBA icons are widely seen as two of the very best players ever to grace the court - dominating their respective eras and achieving an incredible level of stardom.
James followed Jordan in wearing the iconic No.23 as a tribute and also matched him by starring in the Space Jam sequel - a move which further highlighted his global appeal.
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Chicago Bulls legend Jordan never came up against James but admitted that the NBA's highest-ever points scorer "could play in any era" in a complimentary comment to the heir to his throne.
The two were seen deep in conversation at the 2022 All-Star Game but while there is a mutual respect, there does not appear to be a friendship.
However, James believes that is simply because he is still an active player in the NBA at the age of 40. He is hopeful that he will be able to form the same kind of relationship with Jordan as he developed with the late Kobe Bryant when they won Olympic gold medals together and after he signed for his beloved Los Angeles Lakers in 2018.
LeBron James reveals what his relationship with Michael Jordan is like
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"Yeah we're in a good spot," the four-time NBA champion said in an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.
"We don't talk. Because I'm still playing. I'm still focused on my craft right now. I would hope so.
"Me and Kobe never had a real relationship either - until we were on the Olympic team. We had a great relationship there - Olympic team '08 and Olympic team '12.
"But it was always competitive between us. I was on the East Coast and he was on the West Coast. I f***ed up one time in '09 and didn't beat Orlando and didn't get my opportunity to play him in the finals."
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James added: "Until I became a Laker and he retired, that's when our relationship became really, really good. He welcomed me, he called me and was like, 'Bro anything you need in LA I got you, you a Laker now and you family'.
"We would have multiple conversations and obviously you saw him coming to a lot of games. When I passed him in the scoring record in Philly, I think he had a tweet out like 'Keep on going' and that s**t meant so much to me.
"I think it's because I'm still playing. We all know MJ. Even if you don't know him personally, he is one of the most ruthless competitors there is.
"Until I'm done and he doesn't have to look at me running up and down wearing the No.23 and every time my name is mentioned it's mentioned with his, he's like, 'Don't talk to me right now!'."
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Jordan still has a minority stake in the Charlotte Hornets NBA franchise after selling his majority stake for a reported $3 billion in 2023.
He is likely to given further opinions on James' next season after signing on as a special contributor with NBC, who have secured a lucrative 11-year deal to broadcast NBA and WNBA games.
Topics: Lebron James, Michael Jordan, NBA
Josh Lawless