Charles Oakley doesn’t think LeBron James is Michael Jordan

Kurt Helin

Oct 19, 2011, 8:14 AM EDT

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Is there anyone who thinks that LeBron James is Michael Jordan? Well, besides Scottie Pippen?
Charles Oakley doesn’t think so. Of course he didn’t.
The MJ contemporary and recent Bobcats assistant coach wanted to make it clear in an interview with Hoopsworld that the two are not in the same class. (Hat tip to Eye on Basketball)

“I wouldn’t put them in the same conversation.
“It took a while for Michael to win championships too, but they have a different swagger, a different demeanor. If I would compare anybody to Michael Jordan, it would be Kobe Bryant. Point blank. I know LeBron well; he don’t have what Michael have so I’m not even gonna discuss that one.
“To be a superstar (LeBron) has to go back to his fundamentals… work on his post game, work off the ball.”

It’s hard to compare mid-career LeBron to Jordan’s full-career legacy, we can’t say how we will look back on LeBron when he retires. But there was a universal love — or at least respect — that Jordan had and LeBron has lost. You can define that as swagger or whatever you wish, it remains a reality. One that will stick with LeBron.