LeBron James Sounds Off on Michael Jordan Comparisons, NBA GOAT Debate, 'He Was F--king Great'

As Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James inches closer to retirement, his résumé and legacy continue to be measured against those of Michael Jordan, and James addressed those comparisons this week.

In an interview with ESPN's Dave McMenamin, James expressed his belief that both he and Jordan are all-time greats who do different things well, and he opted against putting one above the other.

"I never have compared myself to MJ because our games are totally different," James said. "I have been a point-forward/forward-point my whole life. I have always looked for the pass. MJ kind of looked for the shot. Not kind of, he did. He looked for the shot.

"There are a lot of things where I would say my game is a lot different and a little better than his, but s--t, he was f--king great. We're both great. We're both great basketball players."

LeBron continued by labeling himself a "one-of-one" basketball player, while also pointing out some of Jordan's greatest attributes.

"There are a lot of things that MJ did better than I do, and I think there are some things that I do better than him," James said. "That's just how the game goes. There's a lot of things that I can say in particular. You already know how this conversation is going to be [misinterpreted] by people, man.

"I think I am one of one. I think the way I play the game, I am a one-of-one player. And MJ, as well. A f--king unbelievable basketball player. I think his midrange jump shot was unbelievable. He did so many things great. I grew up f--king analyzing everything that he did, how he could get to his spot and rise up above everybody. Obviously, his post game was elite. His will to win. I think that is a trait that we all know and that we all wanted to be like. His determination to win."

James admitted that Jordan was an inspiration for him growing up, noting that he "dreamed" of doing so many of the things MJ accomplished. LeBron added, "I hope I made him proud at least, wearing that No. 23."

It is difficult to argue against the notion that Jordan is the GOAT given that he won six NBA championships, six NBA Finals MVP awards, five NBA MVP awards and one NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award during his legendary, 13-year run with the Chicago Bulls.

However, James has accomplished nearly as much, and he has done it with unmatched longevity.

LeBron is a four-time NBA champ, four-time NBA Finals MVP and four-time NBA MVP in addition to being a 22-time All-Star over his 23-year career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Lakers.

James is also the NBA's all-time leading scorer with over 43,000 career points, and he is still playing at an All-Star-caliber level even at 41 years of age.

The Lakers are up 3-1 on the Houston Rockets in their first-round playoff series, and adding another championship to his trophy case this season could go a long way toward putting James on Jordan's level in the eyes of basketball fans.

However, even if the Lakers fall short and James retires at the end of this season, he belongs in the GOAT debate with Jordan, which is something that can't be said for almost anyone else in basketball history.