17-Year-Old LeBron James Received Advice From Michael Jordan When They Met After A Cavs-Wizards Game

The GOAT debate revolves around two great players. Some say Michael Jordan is the best player on this planet, while others go with LeBron James. Truth is, these two have nothing but respect for each other. They gave done incredible things on the basketball court. Guess what… Jordan even had an advice for LeBron James back in the days. The GOAT debate won’t end in the near future and the best has yet to come.

MJ ruled the world of basketball in the 80s and the 90s. LeBron entered the NBA two decades ago. His game is still strong and he is about to win his fifth ring.

Unlike Jordan, LeBron has made 10 NBA Finals appearances.

King James grew up idolizing MJ. Fun fact? The king was born a few months after Jordan made his NBA debut. Jordan won his first ring when LeBron was 6. Here’s more. LeBron was 17 when Jordan decided to take a step back.

The kid from Akron had an interesting encounter with the basketball legend right before joining the NBA.

Graht Wahl of Sports Illustrated said the meeting was pretty friendly.

These two met when MJ and the Wizards came to Cleveland in 2003 to meet the Cavaliers. King James met Jordan and the way they greeted made people talk about their great connection.

MJ asked LeBron how his mother was and where she was. They also talked about the game, and MJ had a big advice for LeBron.

Jordan told LeBron to use one dribble, and pull up for a shot. Jordan wanted to see LeBron use this movie.

The Lakers superstar was really impressed and said, “that’s my guy.”

Jordan had the best advice for LeBron James

Here’s what Wahl reported:

“Resplendent in a sleek navy blue suit, his burnished dome gleaming in the light, Michael Jordan steps into the tunnel of Cleveland’s Gund Arena, flashes a million-watt smile and gives LeBron James, the top high school player in the country, a warm, we’re-old-pals handshake. ‘Where’s Mama?’ Jordan asks.

“‘She’s in New Orleans,’ LeBron says, grinning at the memory of how well his mother, Gloria, had gotten on with Jordan when they met in Chicago last summer.

“It’s 10 p.m. on the last night of January, and the moment feels charged, even a little historic. Remember that photograph of a teenaged Bill Clinton meeting JFK? Same vibe. Here, together, are His Airness and King James, the 38-year-old master and the 17-year-old prodigy, the best of all time and the high school junior whom some people–from drooling NBA general managers to warring shoe company execs to awestruck fans–believe could be the Air Apparent.

“Jordan has just hit another buzzer-beater to sink the Cavaliers, but another game is afoot. A spectacularly gifted 6’7”, 225-pound guard who averages 29.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 5.9 assists for St. Vincent-St. Mary High in Akron, LeBron is thought to possess all the elements necessary to do for some apparel company what Jordan did for Nike. Not only does he have the requisite high-flying game and an Iversonian street cred that Jordan himself lacked, but he can also turn on the charm when necessary. It’s why LeBron is a year from signing what’s expected to be the most lucrative shoe deal in history for an NBA rookie, estimated at $20 million over five years, and why Jordan, who represents his own division of Nike athletic wear, would want LeBron in the Swoosh family.

“Tonight, however, LeBron is wearing a black coat and stocking cap bearing the logo of Adidas, his high school team’s sponsor, which Jordan can’t help but notice yet chooses to ignore. They schmooze for a few minutes, bantering about LeBron’s upcoming game, until Jordan leaves, offering this piece of advice: ‘One dribble, stop and pull up. That’s what I want to see.’

“LeBron nods and smiles. ‘That’s my guy,’ he says.”