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LeBron James
LeBron James has been compared to Michael Jordan many times in his career, but he still has a long way to go before he overtakes Jordan in the championships department -- or, if you believe Jordan, in a game of one-on-one. In an interview promoting the NBA 2K14 game, Jordan said that if he were in his prime, he wouldn't lose to LeBron in a solo matchup. LeBron (6-foot-8, 250 pounds) would have a significant size advantage over Jordan (6-6, 216), but MJ would have the edge in pure shooting. Honestly, given his legendary competitiveness, we're not sure we'd bet against Jordan, even if it were later on in his career.
Here's a sampling of what readers had to say in our Facebook conversation on the story:
- Peter Kica: "why is MJ stating an obvious? we know he would beat lebron 1on1. but when it comes to overall skill level there is no doubt that lebron is right up there with him if not higher. Lebron is a better passer, rebounder, he is way stronger and he has been developing a midrange to 3pt game. He has improved his post game and he has come up clutch in the FINALS! "
- Ernest McCaleb: "Lebron James is a playmaker. He's more magic thane MJ. Who cares that MJ thinks he can beat Lebron in 1 on 1. Lebron is MUCH more than a 1 on 1 player - he's a facilitator. "
- Aaron Weiner: "It would have been close, but Jordan had the more creative offensive game, which lends itself to 1-1. LeBron would have been able to shoot over him, though, and since he's an improved shooter I think it would have been close."
- Matt McLeod: "If Lebron wanted to post him every time it would be a hell of a hard time for Jordan to beat him. Even with Jordan in his prime, Lebron has 40+ lbs on Michael and 2 inches while being faster and more explosive than Michael. Give Jordan the ball first and maybe cause he could shoot, but if Lebron got the ball first and decided he simply wanted to WIN and post Michael up evey time theres absolutely NOTHING Michael could do about that. Not CLOSE to the strength and size of Lebron. Not close."
- Joe Schnipke: "MJ would beat LeBron but it would be closer than people think. People who say MJ would kill LeBron are just hating."
What do you think? Leave your comments below.
Joe Cavaretta/Sun Sentinel/Getty ImagesLeBron James to keep quiet on 2014
Take a good listen, LeBron James prospectors. This might be the last you hear from the King about his impending (possible) free agency. At Miami Heat media day Monday, the four-time MVP and two-time defending NBA champion said he no longer will talk about next summer, when he can opt out of his six-year deal. In other words, prepare for a near-repeat of the summer of 2010, when James' dithering led to his infamous -- and famous, in South Florida -- Decision. Should Heat fans be nervous?
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Joe Cavaretta/Sun Sentinel/Getty ImagesLeBron James to keep quiet on 2014
Take a good listen, LeBron James prospectors. This might be the last you hear from the King about his impending (possible) free agency. At Miami Heat media day Monday, the four-time MVP and two-time defending NBA champion said he no longer will talk about next summer, when he can opt out of his six-year deal. In other words, prepare for a near-repeat of the summer of 2010, when James' dithering led to his infamous -- and famous, in South Florida -- Decision. Should Heat fans be nervous?
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LeBron James has won four of the past five NBA Most Valuable Player awards -- Kevin Durant has placed second in three of those four years. Will this be the season Durant finally takes the crown as the league's best player, or is LeBron the favorite to become just the fourth player in NBA history to win three consecutive MVP awards? Where does the reigning scoring champion Carmelo Anthony fit in? Is young Kyrie Irving on your radar?
The NBA ESPN Forecast panel had their say, and now it's time for SportsNation to weigh in. Set your rankings below, then head to Twitter to join the discussion via #ESPNForecast.

NBA MVP candidates
Carmelo Anthony
Knicks, F
2012-13: 28.7 PPG, 2.6 APG, 6.9 RPG
Stephen Curry
Warriors, G
2012-13: 22.9 PPG, 6.9 APG, 4.0 RPG
Tim Duncan
Spurs, F
2012-13: 17.8 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 2.7 BPG
Kevin Durant
Thunder, F
2012-13: 28.1 PPG, 4.6 APG, 7.9 RPG
Paul George
Pacers, F
2012-13: 17.4 PPG, 4.1 APG, 7.6 RPG
James Harden
Rockets, G
2012-13: 25.9 PPG, 5.8 APG, 4.9 RPG
Dwight Howard
Rockets, C
2012-13: 17.1 PPG, 12.4 RPG, 2.4 BPG
Kyrie Irving
Cavaliers, G
2012-13: 22.5 PPG, 5.9 APG, 3.7 RPG
LeBron James
Heat, F
2012-13: 26.8 PPG, 7.3 APG, 8.0 RPG
Tony Parker
Spurs, G
2012-13: 20.3 PPG, 7.6 APG, 3.0 RPG
Chris Paul
Clippers, G
2012-13: 16.9 PPG, 9.7 APG, 3.7 RPG
Derrick Rose
Bulls, G
2011-12: 21.8 PPG, 7.9 APG, 3.4 RPGFrom King to President James?
LeBron James has excelled at everything's he's done -- on the basketball court (four-time NBA MVP, two-time Finals MVP, etc.), endorsement commercials (Nike, Coca-Cola, Samsung, etc.), charitable work through the LeBron James Family Foundation, and so on. He was even ranked by Forbes as one of the world's most influential athletes. But would his golden touch help turnaround the NBA Players Association?
A power forward's job is to control the low block area -- they are able to play with their backs to the basket as well as step out to nail a mid-range jumper. Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett are known to have that skillset. Some are also known for their ability to intimidate with powerful dunks, like Blake Griffin. Then you have the Carmelo Anthony and Dirk Nowitzki types who can pretty much do it all, from inside the paint to outside the arc. How do you round out the NBA's best at the four position? NBA insider Bradford Doolittle had his say and so did the NBA 5-on-5 crew, but now it's time for SportsNation to weigh in.
Rank 'Em: Point guards | Shooting guards | Centers | NBA teams' under-25 talent

NBA Power Forwards
LaMarcus Aldridge
Portland Trail Blazers
2012-13: 21.1 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.2 BPG
Ryan Anderson
Pelicans
2012-13: 16.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 0.4 BPG
Carmelo Anthony
Knicks
2012-13: 28.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 2.6 APG
Anthony Davis
Pelicans
2012-13: 13.5 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.8 BPG
Tim Duncan
Spurs
2012-13: 17.8 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 2.7 BPG
Kenneth Faried
Nuggets
2012-13: 11.5 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1.0 APG
Derrick Favors
Jazz
2012-13: 9.4 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.7 APG
Kevin Garnett
Nets
2012-13: 14.8 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 0.9 BPG
Pau Gasol
Lakers
2012-13: 13.7 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.2 BPG
Blake Griffin
Clippers
2012-13: 18.0 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 0.6 BPG
Al Horford
Hawks
2012-13: 17.4 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 1.1 BPG
Serge Ibaka
Thunder
2012-13: 13.2 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 3.0 BPG
LeBron James
Heat
2012-13: 26.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 7.3 APG
David Lee
Warriors
2012-13: 18.5 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 0.3 BPG
Kevin Love
Timberwolves
2012-13: 18.3 PPG, 14.0 RPG, 0.5 BPG
Paul Millsap
Hawks
2012-13: 14.6 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.0 BPG
Dirk Nowitzki
Mavericks
2012-13: 17.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 0.7 BPG
Zach Randolph
Grizzlies
2012-13: 15.4 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 0.4 BPG
Josh Smith
Pistons
2012-13: 17.5 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 4.2 APG
David West
Pacers
2012-13: 17.1 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 0.9 BPG
AP Photo/Sharon EllmanLeBron James in the NFL?
LeBron James is considering running for president of the National Basketball Players Association, but Dez Bryant thinks LeBron would excel in another off-court activity. Bryant said that LeBron, who was a star football player in high school, could make it in the NFL as a receiver or tight end. LeBron certainly has the size for the position, and it's not like he's never played the sport before, but the two sports have very little in common. Still, if any basketball player could make such a transition, it'd be LeBron.
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Whom do you love? When it comes to the NBA, it appears fans now prefer LeBron James. Yes, according to the latest ESPN Sports Poll, the Miami Heat star -- he of the ill-received "The Decision," but also of the last two MVPs and NBA championships -- took first for the first time in four years, named a favorite by 12.9 percent of fans. Among others, he bested fellow multiple champion Kobe Bryant (12.5 percent). Rounding out the top five: Kevin Durant (3.6), Derrick Rose (2.8) and Dwyane Wade (2.6). Who are your favorites? Make your picks from this list of stars!

Your favorite NBA players
Carmelo Anthony
New York Knicks

Chris Bosh
Miami Heat

Kobe Bryant
Los Angeles Lakers

Stephen Curry
Golden State Warriors

Tim Duncan
San Antonio Spurs

Kevin Durant
Oklahoma City Thunder

Kevin Garnett
Brooklyn Nets

Blake Griffin
Los Angeles Clippers

James Harden
Houston Rockets

Dwight Howard
Houston Rockets

Kyrie Irving
Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James
Miami Heat

Kevin Love
Minnesota Timberwolves

Steve Nash
Los Angeles Lakers

Dirk Nowitzki
Dallas Mavericks

Tony Parker
San Antonio Spurs

Chris Paul
Los Angeles Clippers

Paul Pierce
Brooklyn Nets

Zach Randolph
Memphis Grizzlies

Rajon Rondo
Boston Celtics

Derrick Rose
Chicago Bulls

Dwyane Wade
Miami Heat

Russell Westbrook
Oklahoma City Thunder

Deron Williams
Brooklyn Nets
Lakers eye LeBron and Melo in 2014
According to sources, the Lakers are looking to make a big splash during the 2014 free-agency period by going after both LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. Do you think the Lakers would have a real shot at landing both superstars? And if they did, could Kobe Bryant handle a diminished role on the team? Cast your vote now!
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LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan
LeBron James often has been compared (negatively) to Michael Jordan, but there's an interesting parallel between their careers. James has won his first two championships at the same age that Jordan did, which means he still has plenty of time to challenge Jordan's mark of six titles. Surpassing Jordan is no small task, but considering how transcendent James was this season, we'd say he has a chance.

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Drew Brees looks like Neo from the Matrix right now.
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Darren Sproles has infinite turbo.
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Aqib Talib just Dikembed that comeback.
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2013 Reggie Bush just had a 2004 Reggie Bush type TD run.
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London just caught a glimpse of the awesomeness that is Adrian Peterson. 60 yard TD run!
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