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LeBron James reveals why he and Michael Jordan 'don't talk'

Brian Jones Profile Picby:Brian Jones•03/26/25•

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LeBron James Michael Jordan
Feb 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Lebron James and Michael Jordan on court during halftime during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James has set the record straight on his relationship with Michael Jordan. While appearing on The Pat McAfee Show this week, James said he and Jordan are “in a good spot,” while adding that they “don’t talk” regularly.

“We don’t talk,” James told Pat McAfee, who then asked him why. “Because I’m still playing. I’m still focused on my craft right now.”

McAfee then asked James if he and Jordan would have a better relationship once he retires from basketball. “I would hope so,” James said. After saying that, LeBron James talked about his relationship with Kobe Bryant. The 40-year-old said he and Bryant didn’t become close until he joined the Lakers in 2018, and Bryant retired from the NBA two years prior.

James hopes his relationship with Michael Jordan can be what he had with Kobe Bryant once he retires. “We all know MJ. Even if you don’t know him personally, he’s one of the most ruthless competitors there is,” LeBron James said. He then added that until Jordan doesn’t see him on the court wearing No. 23, the relationship will be where it is now.

LeBron James says Michael Jordan was his ‘inspiration’

James and Jordan embraced each other when the NBA honored its 75th Anniversary Team in 2022. When asked about the moment on The Pat McAfee Show, James loved catching up with the six-time NBA champion.

“That was dope,” James said. “That’s straight respect, admiration. I wear 23 because of MJ. The inspiration that he gave me as a kid in Akron, Ohio, that don’t have much inspiration in your hometown, you look at somebody in sports, somebody in music, somebody on the TV screen. …I needed that.”

LeBron James entered the NBA in 2003, the same year Michael Jordan left the game for good. Since then, James and Jordan have been compared to each other because of the impact each has had on the NBA.

LeBron James has put together a legendary resume in his 20-plus seasons. Along with being the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, James has won the NBA MVP award six times, selected to the NBA All-Star team 21 times, won four NBA titles and is a four-time NBA Finals MVP.

Michael Jordan was the face of the NBA in the 1980s and 1990s. In his career, he was named NBA MVP five times, was selected an All-Star 14 times, led the NBA in scoring 10 times, won six NBA titles and was named NBA Finals MVP six times.