LeBron James' former teammate has revealed why he believes the player cannot do anything to surpass Michael Jordan as the greatest player of all time.
The four-time NBA champion has won four championships in his time in the league and made 21 All-Star appearances.
He came into the NBA as one of the most talked about high school prospects and lived up to the hype since his rookie season.
Going into next season, which will be his 23rd in the league, LeBron James continues to be one of the best players in the league.
Advert
While this is a testament to his longevity, many believe Michael Jordan is still the greatest player in the NBA.
Now James' former teammate Iman Shumpert has also come out and stated that there is nothing the LA Lakers player can do to surpass the former Chicago Bulls icon.
Iman Shumpert makes strong Michael Jordan admission over LeBron James
Shumpert won his only NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.
It was a team that was led by LeBron James, who put on a historic display in the NBA Finals against a legendary Golden State Warriors side.
Shumpert was a vital cog in the team, but James was the star and led the team in all statistical categories to take away the Finals MVP trophy.
After a successful playing career, Shumpert is now working as an analyst and in his recent appearance on the Dan Patrick Show he revealed why his former teammate could not surpass Jordan as the greatest player of all time.
He said: "I think LeBron is the greatest of all time, he is the perfect example of a basketball player. He has the physical makeup that nobody else will ever get.
"Right hand, left hand, jump shot, you want somebody that knows the playbook of all the coaches in the NBA.
"I've never seen a basketball mind get to meet up with such a dominant physical form before LeBron James so understanding that and understanding accolades I completely get it."
The former NBA player then went on to state why he thought despite all of those abilities Jordan was the greatest ever player.
"When you talk about how long it took to catch Jordan's record, Jordan took a couple of years off within getting this record, I can't put anybody past Michael Jordan.
"Just because I'm more ranking on winning and how I felt having a player like that on my favourite team so Jordan will always be my GOAT, but I totally understand the argument that happened," Shumpert added.
The 34-year-old stated that he was from Chicago, which definitely made him love 'His Airness' more, but shared that all aspects of Jordan's game made him believe that his statement was right.
James and Shumpert shared the locker room for three years and have been on good terms since, but the former Cavaliers player confirmed that he had already told his thoughts about Jordan to the four-time MVPs face several times.
Asked by Dan Patrick if he would say all of this to LeBron's face, Shumpert replied: "I've said it to LeBron I don't know how many times."
Topics: NBA, Lebron James, Michael Jordan, LA Lakers
Godwin Mathew