Fresh off a heroic performance in the Finals that earned him his third NBA title, LeBron James says Michael Jordan continues to motivate him.
James is chasing MJ’s “ghost”, and striving to become the greatest player to ever hoop.
Chasing ghosts, vanquishing Warriors and unpacking the Finals. On @KingJames and the @cavs for @SInow: https://t.co/4wMqFeOk80
— Lee Jenkins (@SI_LeeJenkins) August 2, 2016
LBJ will only be at peace once it’s all said and done, he says.
Per Sports Illustarted:
“My motivation,” James says, “is this ghost I’m chasing. The ghost played in Chicago.”
James finishes a full-court run with the high schoolers, his first time on the floor since the Finals, and lies on a training table to stretch his legs. “Why do I feel like I’m about to go into therapy?” he asks. Because you started talking about ghosts, he is told. “My career is totally different than Michael Jordan’s,” he says. “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.”
“LeBron reminds me sometimes of Kevin Garnett,” says (Tyronn) Lue, a former Celtics assistant. “KG was so engaged in the game that he couldn’t really enjoy it. I’m hoping, now that LeBron won a championship in Cleveland, he can really just enjoy the game and the city and the camaraderie and being the best player in the world, without all the pressure.” […] It’s a sweet thought, and it’s true that (Kevin) Durant and (Stephen) Curry will split the spotlight, theoretically allowing James to surpass milestones and collect accolades in relative peace. Unfortunately, the immortals are not wired that way. They are driven to slay monsters, as many as four at a time, and chase ghosts. “I’ll have peace when I’m done,” James sniffs.
