Sports talk show host Colin Cowherd was addressing a report from John Hollinger, former Memphis Grizzlies VP of Basketball Operations, that “there were whispers in league circles about LeBron James having eyes for Dallas.”
Lebron reportedly could have made a move to join Kyrie Irving, No. 1 overall pick Cooper Rush and Anthony Davis on the Dallas Mavericks prior to opting in for the $52M pay day with a Lakers team that he is unhappy with. But King James reportedly wasn’t willing to take a pay cut in order to position himself for one last shot at a NBA championship
Colin Cowherd says LeBron knows he’ll never catch MJ
“Michael's richer, more memorable, bigger brand, and he makes you feel something, and LeBron doesn't. LeBron has kinda bounced around to the best basketball opportunity every chance he gets.”
Colin Cowherd Says King James Will Never Be GOAT Over MJ
Cowherd said that very situation is a classic example of why LeBron James will never be the GOAT over MJ.
“Lebron wasn’t willing to leave $52M on the table, for a mid-level exception, according to John Hollinger Now think about that. Lebron’s a billionaire and my tackle is with LeBron. Rough Paul told us it was all about winning, it’s not anymore. I think Michael Jordan is still, in his head. He knows in the basketball community, with basketball fans, he’s never going to catch MJ. MJ is six for six. MJ is more memorable. MJ ‘s got the logo, the brand and sells more shoes. He’s more romanticized. Michael Jordan, there’s a dozen plays to this day that you can close your eyes and think about, and you can see Michael Jordan…With Lebron there’s one. That chase down block against the warriors that’s it.”
Michael Jordan Makes Us Feel Something, LeBron Doesn’t
The only blemish on LeBron’s illustrious career record is his six losses in his 10 finals appearances. Stats like that matter when you’re talking about the best of the best. Stats aside, Cowherd made another point comparing the difference in how LeBron and Jordan affect the emotions.
“He’s never going to catch him in net worth,” Cowherd continued: “MJ’s net worth is $3.5B. Even with the massive money he’d paid Lebron is worth $1B. That’s why he wants to own a basketball team…Here’s the difference. Michael makes you feel something, and LeBron doesn’t. High level salespeople will tell you want to make people feel something about a product. Michael has that. Wear his shoes you feel cool. Michael’s richer, more memorable, bigger brand and he makes you feel something.”
Cowherd also points out how well-traveled LeBron has been in his career, leaving destinations and teaming up with other great players to chase his rings.
“Lebron has kind of bounced around to the best basketball opportunity every chance he gets. He’s been a great basketball opportunist. I never criticized him for that. ..My take is you probably should have stayed in Miami. The only time LeBron has ever made us feel something is when he went back to Akron then he won in Cleveland. Make you feel something,” Cowherd insisted.
“He’s got more points and assists and been to more finals, but he’s never made us feel anything.”
Social Media Reacts To Cowherd’s Bombshell
Cowherd stirred strong but mixed reactions under a video of his show segment.
“I’d argue that’s not true,” said one fan. “LeBron was the most hyped 18 year old ever in any sport. He exceeded the hype. LeBron has been the oldest NBA the last 2 years. Yet he’s arguably still the best. That’s never happened in league history. Furthermore, MJ never won without PJ!”
“There’s a reason no one brings up Jordan without dragging LeBron or Kobe into the convo it’s because LeBron is the standard now. He’s 40 and still the face of the league. This ‘who’s bigger’ debate is over. Colin’s just talking to talk at this point,” said another LeBron James supporter.”
Some fans totally understood where Colin was coming from when he alluded to LeBron’s failure to touch the soul of the fans.
“I’ve been lucky to watch them all play their entire careers. All great in their own right. MJ and Kobe were tougher, more clutch, and carried their team mates better. Lebron is talented but doesn’t have the eye of the tiger the other two had. Colin is spot on,” said one MJ fan.
“Lebron made it feel like it was for himself, whereas Jordan made it feel like it was something bigger than himself. It’s about how someone makes you feel, and Jordan has that just a bit more than Lebron,” added another fan who supports MJ as GOAT.
Even as LeBron enters the twilight of his career and Jordan approaches 63 years of age, the GOAT debate rages on.
