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NBA rumors: LeBron James says he’s chasing Michael Jordan’s ‘ghost’

By Matt Couden

Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts during the fourth quarter with guard J.R. Smith (5) against the Golden State Warriors in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts during the fourth quarter with guard J.R. Smith (5) against the Golden State Warriors in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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In the latest NBA rumors, LeBron James finally admitted to chasing the legacy of Michael Jordan.

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After winning the NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers this past spring, one has to think LeBron James feels redemption and satisfaction. However, he is still hungry for more. In a recent Sports Illustrated piece from Lee Jenkins, James has admitted, “My motivation is this ghost I’m chasing. The ghost played in Chicago.”

For the longest time, LeBron seemed to shrug off comparisons and insistence that he was trying to outdo the man who is arguably considered to be the greatest of all time. Now it seems James wants that “G.O.A.T.” status, if at all possible. LeBron also told SI:

"“My career is totally different than Michael Jordan’s. What I’ve gone through is totally different than what he went through. What he did was unbelievable, and I watched it unfold. I looked up to him so much. I think it’s cool to put myself in position to be one of those great players, but if I can ever put myself in position to be the greatest player, that would be something extraordinary.”"

So can LeBron catch or surpass the ghost? It’s not likely, even if he captures a few more NBA championships. His stats may look great when he hangs up his basketball shoes, but his record in the NBA Finals will pale in comparison to Jordan’s. MJ won a championship in every NBA Finals he and the Chicago Bulls played in.

Jordan was able to step away from the game and his team for personal reasons but went right back to his longtime squad rather than looking for another team. His 1995-96 team had one of the second-best win totals in NBA history. They also faced some tough competitors in the Eastern Conference, as well as the finals round.

Among them were a 60-win Orlando Magic team which featured Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway. Don’t forget about Finals opponents that included stars ranging from Magic Johnson to Karl Malone and John Stockton, to Charles Barkley, Clyde Drexler to the duo of Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp. Not exactly easy competition.

LeBron has certainly racked up plenty of resume-boosting accolades including being named to the All-NBA First team 10 times, and winning the NBA MVP four times. Add to that his three championship rings, with several more possible before he’s done, and it speaks volumes of his level of talent and abilities.

The King certainly has some lofty aspirations. When it’s all said and done he could very well be mentioned in basketball conversations as “one of the greatest of all time,” but not “the greatest.”

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