Before becoming an NBA legend in his own right, LeBron James once famously squared off against Michael Jordan and other NBA stars in a pickup basketball game as a teenage phenom from Akron, Ohio. More than 20 years later,

The NBA world would have loved to see LeBron James and Michael Jordan play against each other. Surprisingly it actually did happen, but it was when James was a teenager, and it was also a pickup game.

LeBron James, during an episode of the New Heights podcast with former NFL star Jason Kelce and current NFL star Travis Kelce, confirmed the longstanding rumor that, as a teenager, he did indeed play in a now-infamous pickup game in Chicago with six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan and other—at the time—NBA veterans.

Both Jordan and James have engaged with politics throughout their careers, with 'Black Mamba' speaking out about the “ingrained racism” of the United States after his retirement, while James has often criticised Trump and the racial injustice in the US.

Hawks 110 (21-19), Bulls 94 (18-23): Atlanta was without Trae Young, Jalen Johnson and Dominique Wilkins, but Keaton Wallace (27 points, six rebounds, six assists, four steals) led the Hawks over a Bulls team that shot 6 of 27 from deep and turned it over 20 times.

LeBron James selected as a starter for 2025 NBA All-Star Game for 21st time in his career: How does he compare to Jordan and Bryant?

Anthony Davis and LeBron James are laser-focused on winning another championship, driven by legacy, Lakers pride, and the Michael Jordan debate.