In a recent appearance on the Gil’s Arena podcast, Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports and LeBron James’ agent and confidant, delved into the differences between LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant.
Paul began by acknowledging the ongoing debate about who holds the title of the greatest of all time (GOAT) in basketball, emphasizing that opinions on this matter are highly subjective.
“You’re not really going to get the real answer from anybody per se,” he said. “Now, everybody’s entitled to their opinion. Everybody got their own opinion and I’m fine with that. But then you got TV component where there’s people on TV saying what they feel.”
According to Paul, both MJ and Kobe possessed a relentless drive and a certain level of aloofness. They were not concerned with forming friendships on the court, often choosing to maintain a distance from their opponents. This demeanor, Paul noted, had a magnetic effect, making others want to befriend them even more.
On the other hand, James stands out for his inclusive and friendly approach. Paul suggested that while LeBron’s willingness to engage with everyone creates a positive atmosphere, it can also lead to a sense of familiarity that sometimes breeds disrespect.
“We all know the difference between Mike, LeBron and Kobe,” he continued. “Mike and Kobe they didn’t care if you were their friend or not. Matter of fact, they don’t care to be your friend. They don’t want to speak to you. Period. But what does that do – that makes you want to be their friend even more. LJ is all-inclusive. But familiarity breeds disrespect.”
