“This dude looked like Jesus Christ to me!” LeBron James gets goosebumps recalling first-ever Michael Jordan encounter

LeBron James and Michael Jordan never played together in the NBA.

“This dude looked like Jesus Christ to me!” LeBron James gets goosebumps recalling first-ever Michael Jordan encounter

LeBron James and Michael Jordan (Credits: The Guardian and Business Insider)

Many people rank LeBron James as one of the best basketball players to have ever played. James has been compared to Michael Jordan in the NBA GOAT argument because of the legacy he has built for himself. Interestingly, James spoke of his first encounter with the Chicago Bulls star, referring to the man as “Black Jesus.”

LeBron James revealed the story on Uninterrupted’s “WRTS,” recalling what it was like to watch Michael Jordan perform a bench press as a sophomore in high school. For the Lakers star, who was still trying to get into the NBA at the time, it was a bizarre event. He spoke up when he saw Michael Jordan for the first time. James said he was in awe of the Bulls’ great as he looked back at the moment. For LeBron, Michael was like Jesus Christ, especially at that age.

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When he first met Michael Jordan as a high school sophomore, LeBron was yet to prove himself in the NBA. James said via Uninterrupted:

When I met Michael Jordan for the first time, I literally couldn't believe it was him. The dude looked like Jesus Christ to me. He was Black Jesus to me. Nobody could tell me the difference.

James described how he met Jordan while at a game with Maverick Carter and a friend. It was unexpected for him, having watched Jordan in his prime on his way to six championships with the Bulls.

Did Michael Jordan and LeBron James play together?

Michael Jordan said goodbye to the NBA for his third and final time on April 16, 2003, ending his glittering NBA career at the age of 40. Conversely, LeBron James joined the NBA as the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ first-round selection in the 2003 draft. On October 29, 2003, he made his debut against the Sacramento Kings, aged 18. LeBron and Jordan never faced each other in a formal NBA game, due to their timelines.

LeBron James and Michael Jordan
LeBron James and Michael Jordan (Credits: NBC Sports)

When they did, though, it was sheer domination. LeBron James was playing in his rookie season in 2003. Jordan was forty years old and had just retired. LeBron, then eighteen, was present at Jordan’s Santa Barbara camp during the summer, along with several other bright young prospects. Following the conclusion of the main events, MJ asked LeBron and the college guys to go for a run with some NBA superstars.

Jordan and LeBron were on the same squad during the game, and James also confirmed that they never lost a game together. Unfortunately, there isn’t any video available, but seeing two of the best players of all time play together on the court would certainly have been incredible.

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