Forming relationships in the basketball world does not seem to be an easy thing considering that is a very competitive sport. LeBron James opened up about one of his relationships in the NBA with former NBA star Michael Jordan. Jordan and James are always compared and measured against each other, and for years, there have been speculations about who is better and who is more skilled and so forth. On the Pat McAfee Show broadcast, LeBron James expressed that he has little to no interaction with Michael Jordan. He did not go into detail as to why, but he just responded on a surface level.
LeBron James about Michael Jordan: “We don’t talk”
These were James’ words regarding his relationship with Jordan,
“We don’t talk. Because I’m still playing. I’m still playing, I’m still focused on my craft right now. He added on to say, I think it’s because I’m still playing,and MJ, we all know MJ. Even if you don’t know him personally, he is one of the most ruthless competitors there is and 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.”
LeBron James’ response shows that his main focus is his career and has also highlighted that intense competition among elite players does impact their relationships. There is a barrier between Jordan and James that we might not understand or break through, but it is evident. You can tell that James has always admired Michael Jordan, but the NBA politics have sort of divided the two.
James hopes to become close to Jordan like he did with Kobe Bryant
Speaking of divided relationships, LeBron James also expressed that perhaps in the future his relationship with Michael Jordan will be good, just like how it turned out with Kobe Bryant. Prior to the “Black Mamba’s” retirement, as reported by CNN Sports, there was a bit of friction between the two. However, when Kobe retired and James joined the Lakers, there was a switch of energy. In one of his statements, he said,
“Until I became a Laker and he had retired, that’s when our relationship became really, really good. “He welcomed me. He called me, like: ‘Bro, anything you need in LA, I got you. You’re a Laker now. You’re family.’”
Athletes struggle with bonding due to high competition tensions that are also stimulated by fans, supporters and the media. It has caused many players to be divided. For instance, Kobe only became friendly when he retired. These are not facts, but perhaps he felt threatened by LeBron James and befriending him or forming a relationship was quite tense. Maybe that is what lies between James and Michael Jordan.
There are lessons to learn from this conversation and the world of sports expects everyone to be “emotionless.” I will not delve into the other factors, but relationship-wise, James has just proven that forming bonds is harder. And basketball is a sport where trades happen often and suddenly, competition is always at its peak level and playing against an opponent is easier when there is no emotional attachment.
Looking ahead: Wishing for more companionship
At least James does hope and anticipates future companionship with Michael Jordan. The rivalry that makes LeBron James and Michael Jordan great has formed their personal relationship, which is still distant even as the basketball community continues to discuss and contrast their respective legacies. LeBron’s observations provide insight into the intricacies of relationships between professional athletes where they overshadow connections and relationships. So what is next? Is it something that these players are willing to work on, or are non-existent relationships normal in the sports world?
