LeBron: 'I'm not better than Jordan'
MIAMI
LeBron James said Saturday that while he was humbled by Bulls great Scottie Pippen saying the Miami Heat superstar "may be the greatest player to ever play the game," there was no way he believed he was better than Michael Jordan.
NBA FINALS: MAVS 4, HEAT 2
- Mavs win first NBA title
- Whitlock: Blow up the Big Three
- Rosen: Why Mavs won, Heat lost
- Reiter: Dirk, not LeBron, is a champ
- Witz: Making the nation happy
- FS Southwest: Mavs win as team
- Lowry: So much for superheroes
- Video: Dirk discusses first title
- Video: LeBron, Wade fall short
- Video: Cuban breaks silence
- Miami newspaper goofs
- Photos: Best Game 6 action
- Store: Buy Mavs title gear
- Playoff Central: Your Finals home
Pippen, Jordan's longtime teammate, raised eyebrows Friday morning with his comments on ESPN Radio's "Mike and Mike in the Morning," and drew a fierce response on Twitter, as many fans were incredulous at the perceived slight toward Jordan.
Pippen clarified Friday afternoon, tweeting that he does not believe James has eclipsed Jordan — yet.
"Don't get me wrong, MJ was and is the greatest. But LeBron could by all means get to his level someday," said Pippen, who was courtside for the Heat's five-game Eastern Conference finals triumph as a Bulls TV analyst.
After practice Saturday at Miami's American Airlines Arena, James told reporters, "Michael is an unbelievable player [but] I have a long way, a long way, as far as being mentioned as one of the all-time greats.
"It's not even just Jordan. There are a lot of great players who have played in this league, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and all these guys who are floating around with multiple rings, Bill Russell, all these guys who have done it and pioneered this game for myself and [Dwyane] Wade.
"I'm gracious, humbled by Scottie's comments, especially with him being a teammate of his and seeing Michael on a day-to-day basis, but as far as me, I don't know. I'm not going to sit here and say that I'm better than Jordan. I'm not better than Jordan."
In his original comments, Pippen, who won six NBA titles alongside Jordan, said his former teammate "is probably the greatest scorer to play the game, but I may go as far as to say LeBron James may be the greatest player to ever play the game because he is so potent offensively that not only can he score at will but he keeps everybody involved."
He added, "No guy on the basketball court is not a threat to score with LeBron James out there. Not only will LeBron dominate from the offensive end as well, but he's also doing it on the defensive end, which really makes him the complete package. He's able to get in those passing lanes, shoot those gaps and create transition opportunities where he is pretty much unstoppable."
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Report: Duncan won't leave Spurs
Two-time league MVP Tim Duncan said he has little interest in testing out the free-ag... -
Bonds faces future, can't forget past
Barry Bonds is publicly referring to himself as a convicted felon these days, and he'... -
Mickelson in group out to buy Padres
Phil Mickelson has joined a group of investors who want to buy his hometown Major Lea... -
Manager: Boxer Williams paralyzed
Paul Williams paralyzed in crash but aims to return to ring, trainer says. -
Angels ace Weaver leaves with injury
Los Angeles Angels ace Jered Weaver has left his start against the Yankees in the fir...
NBA Videos
Hear from the Miami Heat after their win over the Boston Celtics in Game 1.
Hear from Doc Rivers after the Celtics' loss to the Heat in Game 1.
Hear from Gregg Popovich and Tony Parker after the Spurs 101-98 win over the Thu...
NBA Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| adidas Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Gold | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Lakers/browse/featuredproduct/491688/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_491000/ff_491688_xl.jpg&w=100 | 89.95 | adidas Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-.. |
| adidas LeBron James Miami Heat Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Black | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Miami_Heat/browse/featuredproduct/498609/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_498000/ff_498609_xl.jpg&w=100 | 89.95 | adidas LeBron James Miami Heat Revolution 30 Swingman Performance Jersey-Black |
| \'47 Brand Orlando Magic Black Hardwood Classics Franchise Fitted Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Orlando_Magic/browse/featuredproduct/505997/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_505000/ff_505997_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | \'47 Brand Orlando Magic Black Hardwood Classics Franchise Fitted Hat |
| New Era Dallas Mavericks Black Primary Logo 59FIFTY Flat Bill Fitted Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dallas_Mavericks/browse/featuredproduct/614631/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_614000/ff_614631_xl.jpg&w=100 | 34.95 | New Era Dallas Mavericks Black Primary Logo 59FIFTY Flat Bill Fitted Hat |
| Boston Celtics Team Mascot Gnome | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Boston_Celtics/browse/featuredproduct/617849/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_617000/ff_617849_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | Boston Celtics Team Mascot Gnome |
| Mitchell & Ness Houston Rockets Red Solid Script Snapback Adjustable Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Houston_Rockets/browse/featuredproduct/692238/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_692000/ff_692238_xl.jpg&w=100 | 25.95 | Mitchell & Ness Houston Rockets Red Solid Script Snapback Adjustable Hat |

Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.