Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has shared the story of the first time he met NBA legend Michael Jordan, widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time.
“When I first met Michael Jordan, I couldn’t believe it was him,” James said. “I couldn’t believe it. Like, this guy was like Jesus Christ to me. He was Black Jesus to me. No one could tell me any different.”
When the two first met, James was a high school sophomore and there were high expectations for his future, but he had yet to prove anything in the NBA. Now, more than 20 years later, James often finds himself engaging in some of the greatest conversations of all time with Jordan.
James explained that he attended a game with Maverick Carter and another friend and met Jordan before the game.
“We walked upstairs and no one told me that Mike was lifting something before the game,” Jordan said. “I didn’t know anything about weightlifting. We walked out there and the first guy I saw was Charles Oakley…Oakley moved, and when he moved, Mike was sitting on the bench. I was Thinking, ‘Oh my God – God. I don’t think he’s real, man.'”
James grew up watching Jordan in his prime with the Bulls, where he won six championships, and this moment was surreal.
“I don’t think Michael Jordan is real,” James said. “I just thought he lived on TV. And, when I saw him, I thought ‘If that guy up there took me that day, I would have a hell of a life.'” I swear to God. “
James now has four championship rings, four Finals MVPs, four NBA MVPs, 19 All-Star selections and 13 All-NBA selections. With this summary in mind, young players are likely to react to James now just as he once reacted to Jordan.