The GOAT debate between Michael Jordan and LeBron James only grew more heated after “King James” became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Some fans who were straddling the issue have turned to join James’ legion of fans following the historic feat.
Mario Chalmers, who played with James in Miami for four years, has a different take on the conversation about the greatest player of all time. This is what he had to say about the difference between his ex-partner and MJ:
“No one fears Bron [James]. No one says, ‘Damn, I have to go play Bron tonight.’ Nobody said that. I don’t know why. Because I saw people freak out when they actually sided with him. But they are not afraid to think about that matchup. You hear someone from that era talk about going against Jordan, there’s fear.”
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“So when you have people who are afraid of a player, that is already telling you something different. Jordan is just that guy. It was all, ‘I want to be like Mike.’”
Mario Chalmers played a crucial role as part of the Miami Heat team that clinched four straight championships and won back-to-back NBA titles. He played with LeBron James when the 19x All-Star was at the height of his physical prowess.
James and Dwyane Wade took the former Kansas Jayhawks superstar under their wings. During Miami’s dominant streak, Chalmers often took the brunt of James and Wade’s tutelage and criticism. Chalmers witnessed the four-time MVP when he was at his most physically dominant.
Chalmer’s claim will at least shock the hordes of fans of the injured current Los Angeles Lakers superstar. The former Miami Heat guard apparently believes that Michael Jordan’s “fear factor” was something even James couldn’t replicate at the height of his powers.
Shaquille O’Neal has the same claim as Mario Chalmers that no one is afraid of LeBron James
Mario Chalmers wasn’t the only former LeBron James teammate who thought the self-proclaimed best wasn’t as feared as Michael Jordan. Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal expressed the same opinion as Chalmers.
Here’s Shaq on how NBA players have looked at “King James”:
“LeBron is my guy, but nobody was ever scared of LeBron. So if you’re not scared of a guy, you’re just a lot more confident. He’s a dangerous guy to play with. They respect him, but they don’t.” fear him because I can tell, I saw him play against them, they weren’t scared.”
In recent years, it is not James who is feared by rival players. Shaq added:
“They’re scared of Giannis now. They’re scared of Giannis because they can see it in his face when he goes down the fucking full-court lane. They can see, me, this guy’s not playing.”
The biggest debate of all time involving LeBron James and Michael Jordan will never be fully resolved. Fans will have different perspectives regarding their opinion on who should be considered the best to play the game.
You may also be interested in reading: What did Michael Jordan say about LeBron James breaking the all-time scoring record?
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