On the one hand, you’re a kid who grew up in Chicago during the heyday of six NBA championships for Michael Jordan. On the other hand, you won two of your three NBA titles with arguably the greatest professional basketball player since MJ.
What is a guy like new Chicago Bull Dwyane Wade supposed to do?
Apparently call it a tie — or at least suggest that is the only thing possible to do.
When asked about the MJ vs. LeBron argument during a talk with media as the Bulls ramp up for the 2016-17 season, Wade was asked about his thoughts once again on the debate.
His response to ESPN was humorous and telling at the same time:
“No, it’s not possible,” Wade told ESPN with a laugh. “It’s not possible.”
Wade went on to tell ESPN that the only thing LeBron could do is tie Jordan.
It shouldn’t be all that surprising of a revelation though, as Wade has said something similar to this back in 2012. Only back then, he used a golf metaphor.
“I don’t know if [James] has the ability to surpass him or not,” Wade said at the time. “That’s yet to be seen. My version as LeBron being on par with Michael is this: They’re both on the golf course. Michael’s on the 18th hole; LeBron is somewhere on like the fourth hole. He’s got a long way to go, but he’s on par to get to the 18th hole.”
Flash forward to the offseason following James bringing a title back to the city of Cleveland, and Wade believes the two are still separated but James has rapidly moved up the golf course on Jordan.
“I think last year — not only in my eyes, but in a lot of people’s eyes — really put him … he’s on the 15th hole right now,” Wade said of James. “And he’s on his way, for sure.”
We all know that James has publicly stated he is chasing the legacy, the ghost of Jordan, if you will. He said as much over the summer in an interview.
Still, even your own teammate whom you won two rings with still believes you have some catching up to do. That’s pretty harsh, or a testament to the greatness that was Jordan.
[ESPN]