LeBron James’ Former Coach Compares LA Lakers Star With Michael Jordan

LeBron James had his real debut with the Los Angeles Lakers, and it was not bad at all. The Lakers played against the Portland Trail Blazers and lost the game. The team has a lot to work on. One of LeBron’s former coaches talked about the four-time MVP and the possibility that he is better than Michael Jordan.

King James arrived in the East earlier this summer after leaving his former team for the second time in his professional career. In his Lakers debut, LeBron had 26 scores, and he is ready to bring the Lakers to the NBA Championship for the first time after Koby Bryant retired. But, does this make him better than Michael Jordan?

James had his last Championship win in 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers. His won two more times with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013. In each of the victories, LeBron was awarded the NBA Finals MVP.

Neal Mayer had the opportunity to work with LeBron as he was coach and video coordinator at the Cavaliers in the king’s final season in 2010.

“I spent 16 years with five different teams and I was able to be around great players but the thing about LeBron is he’s got that whole package: he’s got the size, the strength and the basketball IQ,” Meyer said.

“He’s not afraid to take big shots and is willing to take the responsibility if he misses it. He can be that coach on the court, a leader and he’s an unselfish player who’s willing to make that extra pass or sacrifice a shot,” Meyer said. He is now an NBA associate vice president of basketball operations for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

“He’s got a good personality. He’s super friendly and is always very cordial and open. But the thing about him which makes him so good is his ability to work with the coaches and use his IQ to help. A coach may not see things but with LeBron on the court he’s able to have that communication to help your offence and defense be more successful,” he said.

Will this season be a historic one for King James? He will need 1,229 points to be fourth on the all-time NBA point’s scorers list which will set him above Michael Jordan.

“They’re from different eras but the difference between the two is that Michael was much more of a finesse player – he made his shots just look fluid and comfortable. Whereas LeBron is more of a physical dominating presence than Michael was. He has that power game but not as much of that finesse so what he does looks great but it doesn’t have that glamour part to it,” Meyer said when asked to compare LeBron and Jordan.

“But I think he’s different in that he’s willing to make the extra pass. It’s hard to say who’s the best of all time but right now I would say Michael, although LeBron’s story is still being written,” he added.