Former Teammate of Michael Jordan Tells LeBron What He Has to Do in Order to Be G.O.A.T.

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The controversy over LeBron James’ comments about chasing Michael Jordan in his quest to be the greatest player in NBA history has sparked further response from one of Jordan’s former teammates with the Chicago Bulls, B.J. Armstrong.

The 48-year-old Armstrong, who was a part of Jordan’s first three NBA titles with the Bulls from 1991-93, spoke to ESPN’s Chris Broussard and indicated that James could conceivably achieve his goal without the pressure of focusing on Jordan.

“Chasing a ghost is in make-believe land,” Armstrong said. “That’s far-out, that’s unattainable, that’s something you can’t achieve. This ain’t no ghost. If you want to do it, there’s a blueprint. It’s possible. There’s only one way to get there. It’s not possible for him to do what Jordan did because the circumstances are different, everything is different. What is possible for him is to be bigger than every situation that’s put in front of him, to dominate every situation that’s in front of him.”

James comparing himself to anyone else should also be discarded from his motivational arsenal, according to Armstrong.

“If you want to be the best, get rid of the comparisons,” Armstrong said. “Get rid of all the comparisons that are out there. That’s what Michael Jordan did. Jordan realized that in order to be the best, you had to get rid of all the comparisons.

“When you compared Jordan to somebody else, it made him more and more upset. That was with guys who played before him, guys he was playing against and guys in the future. He got upset every time (the media) got on TV and started comparing him to other people,” Armstrong said.

“He’s mad right now that somebody’s even thinking a guy can get to his level. Jordan tackled them all — Wilt [Chamberlain], everyone. Everyone from 1946 on, he went after them until there was no one left to compare him to,” Armstrong said. “So my challenge to LeBron is: This ghost has a face to him. So get rid of all the comparisons because Jordan, unequivocally, did not want you to compare him to anyone.”

That obsession with being the absolute best is what Armstrong believes James needs to try and overtake Jordan. That means taking every moment on the court seriously, no matter the surroundings.

“Every time he steps on the floor, LeBron has to establish that he’s the best,” Armstrong said. “Every year is an opportunity for him to raise his level to the best of the best. When another player raises his level and has a great year, LeBron has to move his game to an even higher level. Jordan used every opportunity to establish who’s the best. He didn’t go to the Olympics to hang out. He went there to establish who was the best.

“Jordan never stepped out on the court to have a good time. He stepped out there to establish that he was the best. Every great player he played against, he went after them — in practice, in games, in the 1984 Olympics, in summer league, in a workout, in the ’92 Olympics. He went after me every day in practice. He went after every player every day in practice. He went after every coach — until, when it was all said and done, there was no one left standing.”

In the end, the mental approach that Jordan brought to the court could be the determining factor when the final decision is made.

“I want these young kids to have that mentality. Jordan had phenomenal talent. He had phenomenal understanding. But he also had a mentality that I haven’t seen,” Armstrong said. “He had a sense of urgency every time he stepped on the floor. These guys now need to take on that challenge. At the end, we’ll know whether LeBron did it or not when y’all stop comparing him to other players.”

James’ comments are part of a Sports Illustrated story that goes on sale this week.

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Brad Sullivan is a lead writer for Cavaliers Nation. He has spent much of life in the Cleveland, Ohio area, and has remained a Cavalier fan from their 1970 beginnings through the return of LeBron James. While that fandom was sorely tested during the Reign of Error known simply by one word, Stepien, that overall historical perspective will be part of his writing for Cavaliers Nation in the months ahead.