Michael Jordan never lacked for confidence, even when detractors called his game too “playground” and doubters said he’d never lead a team to an NBA championship.
It turns out his confidence is still intact, even in retirement.
In a Q&A at Jordan’s annual Flight School in Santa Barbara, Calif., the six-time champ was asked if he could have beaten LeBron James, the heir to Jordan’s title as the greatest player in the world, head-to-head in their primes. The five-time Most Valuable Player scoffed at the question, which he knew was going to be asked.
“This is the ‘ESPN question,'” Jordan said. “I know it’s going to be all over ESPN. If I was in my prime, could I beat LeBron in a 1-on-1 game? No question.
“And he’s going to say no question.”
The “who’s better” debate is always fun, but it’s never been more intense than the Jordan-vs.-James argument. Jordan also said some other fun stuff in the Q&A — like crowning Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird as the greatest trash-talker he ever played against — but his comments on James are sure to get the headlines.
Thumbnail photo via Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports Images
