Michael Jordan is confident that he still has it. The greatest player in the game truly believes that if he faced some of today's NBA greats in his prime, he would win. LeBron James might be the reigning league MVP, but Jordan believes in a game of one-on-one, he would beat him. Now Kobe Bryant may be a different story.
While promoting the newly released "NBA 2K14", Jordan discussed games of one-on-one that he would have loved to take part in. While names like Jerry West, Carmelo Anthony and Julius Erving came up, more people wanted to know how he would do against the game's two cover stars, Bryant and James.
"I don't think I would lose," Jordan said, via ESPN.com. "Other than to Kobe Bryant, because he steals all of my moves."
Jordan is probably not wrong about Bryant stealing a few moves, but then what player has not tried to steal a few of Jordan's famous moves. In his prime, Jordan was the greatest player in the NBA so that fact that he is confident about winning comes as no shock. Jordan might think that at 50 he can still beat them. Competitiveness never dies.
Both Bryant and James caught wind of Jordan's comments calling them out. During team media days, both addressed the topic while being careful not to callout Jordan.
"MJ said that? I've thought about the matchup, but no one will ever see it and it's not going to happen," James said. "It's good for people to talk about."
James said he has often thought about that matchup, but no one will ever see it. While not addressing the media about the comment of stealing Jordan's moves, Bryant took to Twitter for a little subtweet action. "Domino effect. I stole some of his...this generation stole some of mine #thecycle." He is not wrong.
Jordan recognizes that the game is much different today than it was when he player. The five-time MVP believes players back in his time were simply much more physical than they are today.
"You go in with the understanding of, 'I'm going to get hit. I'm going to pay the price,'" Jordan said. "But that's part of the game. I'm not going to be afraid to go inside. Those are the types of things that these kids don't even have a clue of how we had to grow up and how we had to play."
The debate can rage on and one as to who would win in a matchup and which era of basketball is better. It certainly is fun to think about and even better to act out in a video game.
