“I Have No Fun Playing Against Him”: Rockets Guard Replies to Comparisons Between Michael Jordan and LeBron James

Playing against all-time greats is a huge honor. But the moment you step on the court, it has to be business. When it’s Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan or LeBron James as an opposition player on the court, it’s always serious.

In an interview with Richard Jefferson, Austin Rivers talked about the greatness of Michael Jordan and LeBron James. He says, “I’m not enjoying LeBron’s greatness right now. I have no fun playing against him.” The Rockets guard meant that he’s focused on competing against him. He doesn’t deny LeBron’s greatness.

“The fact that I didn’t play against Michael, I get to enjoy his greatness.” This is a clear testament that he would have felt the same way about LeBron had he not been an opponent.

How is it like playing against LeBron James and Michael Jordan

One of the most famous rival quotes on Michael Jordan came from Larry Bird. It was the first round of the 1986 NBA Playoffs. Celtics were 1-0 up against the Bulls. They won the game, unsurprisingly. But they were made to grind by a 23-year-old Jordan, who dropped an all-time playoff record 63 points on them. “That’s not Michael Jordan, that’s God disguised as Michael Jordan,” he says, looking back at the game.

When the Bucks faced off against the Lakers in early March, LeBron gave them the work. It felt like a sneak-peek of his playoff mode. “Every time you go against him, you can feel his greatness. He’s LeBron James, what can I say.” That’s all Giannis Antetokounmpo could say about the defeat after the game.

After LeBron James won his third ring, which was by far his most impressive, he called the greatest. Now that ‘The Last Dance’ is out, people are calling Jordan the greatest. These debates are so pointless and it has just lead to the best of all-time getting unnecessary hate.

When he was asked about how he feels about these GOAT comparisons, Jordan said, “When I hear it, I cringe a little bit because it’s a little bit embarrassing.” He said it is unfair because it disrespects the great players who played before him.

Cringe is the perfect word for arguments regarding GOAT conversations. It’s high time we sit back and appreciate the greatness of players not just named Michael Jordan and LeBron James.