Home

NBA

Cavs Teammate Admits LeBron James Was Unhappy With Him Calling Michael Jordan the GOAT: “LeBron Was Just Kind of Nodding His Head. He Didn’t Really Say Much”

Published 02/04/2022, 1:30 PM EST

Follow Us

Ahead of the 2021-22 season, many thought LeBron James has entered the twilight of his career. However, he is showing no signs of slowing down and continues to be among the best in the NBA this season. But there’s no doubt that he will retire as one of the best players in NBA history. James has accomplished so much in the last 18 years and some feel that he has already surpassed Michael Jordan’s legacy. But that’s not something his former teammate agrees upon.

HoopsHype.com recently interviewed four NBA stars who have played alongside both Michael Jordan and LeBron James. The only four players ever to play with both James and Jordan are – Scott Williams, Larry Hughes, Jerry Stackhouse, and Brendan Haywood.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

During their interview, the four players talked about James and Jordan’s careers and how they progressed through the years. However, Brendan Haywood revealed his conversation with James regarding the GOAT debate when he picked Jordan over him.

WATCH THIS STORY; Jack Nicklaus Sends a Heartfelt Retirement Message to Tom Brady

Brendan Haywood reveals LeBron James’ reaction when he picked Jordan over him

Haywood talked about how James reacted to him picking Jordan as the GOAT. Haywood also gave LeBron his reasons for picking Jordan over him.

One of the more interesting things is that I had the GOAT conversation with LeBron. We were on the plane and I told him: “I love you, brother, but I have to go with Mike”. I told him my reasons,” Brendan Haywood told HoopsHype.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Both of those guys are incredible competitors. They do things differently. The biggest difference is that MJ is a cold-blooded killer. He is an assassin. LeBron is more respected and loved. He is loved by his teammates and he is respected by his opponents. So when we had the GOAT debate, LeBron was just kind of nodding his head. He didn’t really say much.

Brendan Haywood played alongside Michael Jordan during his Washington Wizards days. Haywood was drafted by the Cavaliers in 2001 but was traded after that to the Wizards. He played two seasons with Jordan and stayed with the Wizards till 2010.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Haywood was traded to the Cavaliers in 2014. He spent a season with the Cavaliers, playing alongside LeBron James. However, he played just 22 games with the Cavs and it turned out to be his last season in the NBA.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Abhishek Singh

859Articles

One take at a time

Abhishek is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports with over two years of journalistic experience with Chase Your Sport and Dribl. A Football Management graduate, he has previously interned in the Indian Super League, I-League and the AFC Champions League. In addition to being a Michael Jordan fan, Abhishek is an ardent Steph Curry and Warriors guy, and believes they have a few more championships in store before the former retires.
Show More>