‘Doesn’t wanna talk to me’ – LeBron James gives rare insight on relationship with ‘ruthless’ Michael Jordan

LeBron shared what his relationship is like with MJ. James went on The Pat McAfee Show and opened up about his relationship with Michael Jordan. X/@PATMCAFEESHOW The man he has been compared to at every stop, turn and moment of his career and why the two aren’t exactly best friends with one another. James pulled back the curtain a little and revealed a few interesting notes. “We’re in a good spot,” James said. “We don’t talk, because I’m still playing. I’m still focused on my craft right now.” McAfee then asked if he envisions if the two would ever be cool with one another. “When you’re done do you think you two could have a conservation?” “I would hope so,” James answered. James went on to describe his relationship with Kobe Bryant and how they didn’t have much of a relationship until James joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 and Bryant welcomed him with open arms. He went on to say that the reason he and Jordan don’t have much of a relationship right now is because James is still in the midst of his career. “I think it’s because I’m still playing. James has been with the Lakers since 2018Getty “MJ, we all know, he’s one of the most ruthless competitors there is. “Until I’m done and he doesn’t have to look at me run up and down wearing the number 23 and every time my name is mentioned, it’s mentioned with his. “He’s like, I don’t want to f**** talk to you. “Don’t talk to me right now, I’m on the back-nine do not call me,” James teased. “MJ doesn’t wanna talk to me until I’m done.” He was then asked how it was when he and Jordan got to celebrate together and be honored as part of the ‘NBA 75th Anniversary Team’. NBA's Greatest Greatest NBA players in the world right now – from Luka Doncic to Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama Best players in NBA history to never win a championship – James Harden and Carmelo Anthony to Allen Iverson and Karl Malone 10 richest owners in the NBA – family empires, media moguls and investment gurus Michael Jordan’s top 10 scoring games – counting down MJ’s most extraordinary totals “That’s straight respect and admiration. “I wear 23 because of MJ.” But don’t get it twisted. James didn’t sign with Nike because of Jordan, like many have said in the past. “I signed with Nike because they have me a hell of a signing bonus and they gave me a 7-year, $90 million contract and I moved my mom out of the hood the next day I signed that contract,” James made clear. The two greatest basketball players of all time have a complicated relationship that at the moment is on pause, as James said. But just like Bryant and James, there will come a time where Jordan and James establish a relationship with one another, built on respect, admiration and of course, the love of the game. How to watch NBA in the UK *If you click a link in this box we will earn affiliate revenue With the NBA hurtling towards playoff season next month, there’s plenty riding on the remaining games. Reigning champions the Boston Celtics are chasing back-to-back titles, and will be the first team to do this since 2018 if they’re successful. Meanwhile, LeBron James and Luka Dončić’s Lakers are looking to win LA’s first championship since 2020. To watch the rest of this NBA season, sign up for an NBA League pass using the links below. NBA League pass allows subscribers to watch games live and on demand. Buy NBA League Pass – £79.99 for the season, £16.99 a month Buy NBA League Pass Premium – £104.99 for the season, £29.99 a month For more information read our article on how to watch the NBA.

Mar 26, 2025 - 19:28

‘Doesn’t wanna talk to me’ – LeBron James gives rare insight on relationship with ‘ruthless’ Michael Jordan

LeBron shared what his relationship is like with MJ.

James went on The Pat McAfee Show and opened up about his relationship with Michael Jordan.

The man he has been compared to at every stop, turn and moment of his career and why the two aren’t exactly best friends with one another.

James pulled back the curtain a little and revealed a few interesting notes.

“We’re in a good spot,” James said.

“We don’t talk, because I’m still playing. I’m still focused on my craft right now.”

McAfee then asked if he envisions if the two would ever be cool with one another.

“When you’re done do you think you two could have a conservation?”

“I would hope so,” James answered.

James went on to describe his relationship with Kobe Bryant and how they didn’t have much of a relationship until James joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 and Bryant welcomed him with open arms.

He went on to say that the reason he and Jordan don’t have much of a relationship right now is because James is still in the midst of his career.

“I think it’s because I’m still playing.

James has been with the Lakers since 2018

“MJ, we all know, he’s one of the most ruthless competitors there is.

“Until I’m done and he doesn’t have to look at me run up and down wearing the number 23 and every time my name is mentioned, it’s mentioned with his.

“He’s like, I don’t want to f**** talk to you.

“Don’t talk to me right now, I’m on the back-nine do not call me,” James teased.

“MJ doesn’t wanna talk to me until I’m done.”

He was then asked how it was when he and Jordan got to celebrate together and be honored as part of the ‘NBA 75th Anniversary Team’.

NBA's Greatest

Greatest NBA players in the world right now – from Luka Doncic to Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama

Best players in NBA history to never win a championship – James Harden and Carmelo Anthony to Allen Iverson and Karl Malone

10 richest owners in the NBA – family empires, media moguls and investment gurus

Michael Jordan’s top 10 scoring games – counting down MJ’s most extraordinary totals

“That’s straight respect and admiration.

“I wear 23 because of MJ.”

But don’t get it twisted.

James didn’t sign with Nike because of Jordan, like many have said in the past.

“I signed with Nike because they have me a hell of a signing bonus and they gave me a 7-year, $90 million contract and I moved my mom out of the hood the next day I signed that contract,” James made clear.

The two greatest basketball players of all time have a complicated relationship that at the moment is on pause, as James said.

But just like Bryant and James, there will come a time where Jordan and James establish a relationship with one another, built on respect, admiration and of course, the love of the game.

How to watch NBA in the UK

*If you click a link in this box we will earn affiliate revenue

With the NBA hurtling towards playoff season next month, there’s plenty riding on the remaining games.

Reigning champions the Boston Celtics are chasing back-to-back titles, and will be the first team to do this since 2018 if they’re successful.

Meanwhile, LeBron James and Luka Dončić’s Lakers are looking to win LA’s first championship since 2020.

To watch the rest of this NBA season, sign up for an NBA League pass using the links below. NBA League pass allows subscribers to watch games live and on demand.