3 Reasons Why LeBron James’ Career Already Matches Michael Jordan’s

LeBron James doesn’t need to chase the ghost of Michael Jordan. He’s already caught his “Airness,” and he’s looking to fly on by.

Asked many times throughout his career, LeBron James always denied he felt the pressure of having to bring a title to Cleveland. He always claimed it was not his burden to carry. Then the Cavaliers won the championship, and James opened up.

James admitted to ABC/ESPN sideline reporter Doris Burke that the weight of bringing a title to Cleveland definitely weighed on him, and he was so glad to finally have that burden lifted. So much so in fact, that as the final buzzer sounded, James fell to his knees in tearful bliss. He teared up when he hugged his teammates, and teared up again as he held the Larry O’ Brien trophy in one hand and the Finals MVP in the other.

He had won two NBA titles before this one, but even he knew that this one was different. He had defeated the ghosts, and the curse of a 52-year championship drought in Cleveland.

So is it any wonder that when Sports Illustrated writer Lee Jenkins got him in a one-on-one interview, that James opened up about chasing Michael Jordan? For much of his career, LeBron denied that he felt the pressure of chasing Jordan’s ghost.

He always brushed it off, saying he was out to build his own legacy, and never set out to be “the next Jordan.” Now James has revealed that he does indeed feel the pressure to chase the ghost of Jordan, just as he felt the pressure to win a title in Cleveland. Having been dubbed “The King” and “The Chosen One” upon entering the NBA, James career has always had lofty expectations. Yet pursuing the ghost of Jordan could be his greatest challenge, and perhaps an unnecessary one.

LeBron James has already left his mark on the NBA.  Whether anyone wants to admit it, James has already created his own Jordan-like “ghost.” Here three reasons why LeBron’s career has already equalled or surpassed Jordan’s.

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