LeBron James revealed he played against Michael Jordan in a pickup game at just 16, claiming he “doesn’t approach.”
LeBron James recalls facing Michael Jordan in the pickup game at just 16 years old
LeBron James and Michael Jordan are often considered the greatest basketball players of all time, but the two have never faced them in the NBA.
Jordan retired from sports in 2002/03. This was the season before LeBron James entered the league, but we couldn’t see the two go to fight.
But James now reveals that two basketball icons have previously faced in court – 16-year-old LeBron is facing Jordan.
The La Lakers star was guest on a recent episode of the New Heights Podcast, hosted by Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kells and former Philadelphia Eagles Center Jason Kells.
The brothers have been hugely successful from podcasts that have several big names on the show, including Will Ferrell and Patrick Mahomes, but LeBron James is the biggest ever.
During the podcast, the 40-year-old spoke with his son Bronnie James about his future in basketball, but the highlights came during a story about James facing Jordan in a pickup match at just 16 years old.
“I was defenseless.”
16-year-old LeBron, who is picking up alongside Michael Jordan, gives everything pic.twitter.com/k4xe4bdbwm
– New Heights (@newheightshow) January 15th, 2025
The four-time NBA champions also revealed that several other giant names are playing in the game, including Antoine Walker, Penny Hardway, Ron Artest and Michael Finley.
James said: “When I finally got there, I was saying, ‘I’m breaking a-‘. I was nervous. I was nervous like hell and was with MJ and the others. But I was like, “Oh, I’m trying to get hooked.” And I did. I did it. ”
When asked about who protected him, James answered with a hilarious yet incredible answer summarizing the American star.
Travismquerse asked: “Who protected you?”
James replied: “No one can watch it.”