Miami Heat Rumors: LeBron James Makes 20th Cover Appearance On Sports Illustrated, Opens Up About Michael Jordan Comparisons Since Winning Second NBA Championship

Jun 26, 2013 01:32 PM EDT

Miami Heat star LeBron James is at the top of his game and has made this week's Sports Illustrated cover for the 20th time in his career after winning his second NBA championship after the 2012-13 season.

James is featured on the cover gazing down at the Larry O'Brien Trophy, with his reflection visible off the top of the golden ball.

In the new issue, James addresses his constant comparison to NBA legend Michael Jordan, even suggesting that his jumpshot late in the fourth quarter of Game 7 against the San Antonio Spurs was Jordan-like.

James said he spent time during this year's title series watching Jordan's iconic, title-clinching shot for the Chicago Bulls against the Utah Jazz in the 1998 finals. So when he made his shot with 27.9 seconds left in the game to clinch this year's title series, his thoughts immediately shifted to that Jordan shot.

''I know it wasn't the magnitude of MJ hitting that shot in '98, but I definitely thought about him,'' James said. ''It was an MJ moment.''

He then paused for a moment, before adding, ''It was an LJ moment.''

James also addressed his future in the SI article. Tuesday he told reporters that he will not really start thinking about his free agency in 2014 until next season ends, and reiterated that stance with the magazine.

"I'm a totally different person on the court, off the court and everywhere in between,'' James said. ''I know it will come up, but it's not going to come up until it's at that point.''

Related Articles:

New York Knicks Rumors: Iman Shumpert Says Team Is Aiming For 60 Wins Next Season As J.R. Smith, Chris Copeland And Tyson Chandler Rumored To Be Moved During The Offseason

NBA News And Rumors: Celtics Have Josh Smith Sign-And-Trade Offer Ready Should They Decide To Move Paul Pierce

Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: GM Mitch Kupchak Expects A 'Focused And Driven' Kobe Next Season, Trade Proposals For Paul Gasol Are Being Explored While Dwight Howard's Future Still Uncertain

Miami Heat Rumors: LeBron James Nearly Loses His Head In Team's Celebration Parade, Dwyane Wade Says Big Three Will Try To Three-Peat (Video)

Get the Most Popular Stories in a Weekly Newsletter
Array

Join the Conversation

  • Get Connected
  • Share
  • Like Us on Facebook
  • @sportswr
  • Recommend on Google
Real Time Analytics