LeBron James Talks Michael Jordan, Explains How They Would've Played on Same Team

LeBron James' legacy has often been stacked against that of Michael Jordan, his predecessor. But King James would have enjoyed playing with his Airness had their careers intertwined.

"I think our games would have complemented [each other] as well," James said during a live episode of his Mind the Game podcast with Steve Nash. "MJ was a flat-out scorer. He was a scorer, scorer, scorer. He had a scorer's mentality. ... MJ was an inspiration. Anfernee 'Penny' Hardaway was an inspiration to me. Grant Hill was an inspiration to me growing up. Like that point-forward—Scottie Pippen, like Penny, like Hill—those guys kinda inspired me, because I kinda wanted to be that point-forward."

Jordan finished his NBA career after the 2002-03 season, while James began his in the 2003-04 campaign. One legend called it quits, another began his journey.

Jordan was indeed an elite scorer. He averaged 30.1 points per game in his career, a mark higher than any individual season James has ever had (he came close in 2007-08, averaging 30.0 PPG). Jordan won 10 scoring titles in his career, highlighted by his ridiculous 37.1 points per game in the 1986-87 season (James has one scoring title in his career).

He wasn't only a scorer—Jordan was also an elite perimeter defender, winning the 1987-88 Defensive Player of the Year award, alongside nine first-team All-Defensive honors—but nobody in NBA history has put the ball through the hoop more ruthlessly. And he wasn't simply a stat-padder, as evidenced by his six rings.

James, meanwhile, has always been closer to the Magic Johnson archetype, combining an elite offensive package (27 PPG in his career) with incredible vision and playmaking (7.4 APG in his career). Jordan had exactly one season with more assists per game (8.0 APG in 1988-89) than James has averaged for his career. James can't match Jordan's six titles, but he has a more than respectable four.

Those differing approaches on the offensive end is why they would have fit on the court together, at least in theory. There is obviously always ego to consider when you have two all-time leading men trying to share the rock.

But it's nothing more than a thought exercise. We'll have to settle for the never-ending G.O.A.T. debates regarding the two men instead.