Jeff Teague didn’t hold back when asked to weigh in on one of the most heated debates in basketball history: Michael Jordan or LeBron James?
Appearing on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast, the former All-Star guard was asked to choose between the two legendary figures. His answer was clear and confident.
“I’mma go Mike… Just cause how he dominated his era and then he made the game where everybody wanted to be like Mike. I ain’t ever really heard nobody say they wanted to be like LeBron.”
"Everybody wanted to be like Mike.. I ain't ever really heard nobody say they wanted to be like LeBron"
Jeff Teague concisely explains why the LeBron vs MJ debate isn't a debate at all. pic.twitter.com/gyNnHxJDwT
— Apex Jones (@ApexJones22) June 16, 2025
That statement echoed what many old-school fans have argued for decades: that Michael Jordan didn’t just win at the highest level, he made basketball cool.
From the baggy shorts and tongue-out dunks to his Air Jordan shoes and commercials, Jordan was more than a basketball player; he was a cultural phenomenon. Every kid in the ’90s wanted to “be like Mike,” and Teague believes that impact is still unmatched.
Interestingly, even LeBron James himself has echoed similar sentiments over the years. He has often credited Jordan as his idol and has called him his favorite player of all time. LeBron famously wore No. 23 in high school and early in his NBA career to honor Jordan. The respect is deep-rooted and mutual, making Teague’s argument less of a diss and more of a nod to Jordan’s once-in-a-lifetime influence.
Still, Teague’s take doesn’t mean LeBron hasn’t made his own cultural imprint. The idea that “nobody wants to be like LeBron” might feel outdated in 2025.
The current generation of stars, including Luka Doncic, Tyrese Haliburton, and others, have all spoken about their admiration for LeBron. But rather than mimic his exact style, they’ve been inspired by his approach, the team-first mentality, the vision, and the leadership.
LeBron’s influence isn’t always about copy-paste moves or his highlight dunks; it’s about how he reads the game, makes others better, and empowers teammates. In that way, many young players are already carrying pieces of LeBron’s legacy without necessarily saying, “I want to be just like him.”
However, Jordan still holds the edge in terms of global reach and mystique. He was the one who turned the NBA into a worldwide spectacle. He made sneakers a status symbol.
He starred in Space Jam long before LeBron picked up the baton. Jordan wasn’t just admired, he was idolized, and that idolization turned basketball into a global empire.
So while Jeff Teague’s choice might not align with everyone’s view in the modern NBA landscape, it captures a timeless truth: Michael Jordan wasn’t just the best player of his era; he was the face of a revolution. And for that, even in the era of LeBron, he might still be the ultimate standard for greatness.
