Metta believes LeBron has more drive than Jordan did this late in his career because of MJ’s six rings.

Metta Sandiford-Artest believes there is a distinct difference between the passion LeBron James and Michael Jordan had during the latter stages of their careers. While appearing on “Called Game”, the former all-NBA defensive stopper gave his thoughts on what drove both players as they got older.

“When MJ was playing, if LeBron did what MJ did that early, maybe LeBron gets tired also right. MJ felt like it literally was no competition. That was the feeling I’m gonna come back again and just win again right like, ‘I’m done, I got six rings, I’ve never lost in the finals no one’s gonna catch me.’

But LeBron lost in the finals. LeBron don’t have six rings, he got four, he’s got four, that’s not a lot for him It’s not a lot for him, that’s not a lot, you know. So it’s hard to compare what their passion is, they’re just different,” he explained.

Chasing MJ

While Sandiford-Artest believes Jordan would dominate in this era, Jordan also came first and thought he had nothing left to prove. That is an interesting perspective that isn’t spoken about among NBA circles when comparing LeBron and MJ.

While James’ pursuit of His Airness is still well and truly on, perhaps Jordan being the first of both players was somewhat of a disadvantage from the standpoint of not being driven to achieve more than he did with an unblemished Finals record and retiring as the greatest player of all time according to the majority.