Magic: Michael Jordan would beat LeBron every time
"I'm not MJ. I'm LJ," he wrote.
ESPN, which is running features in celebration of Michael Jordan's 50th birthday on Sunday, recently added fuel to the never-ending debate, asking whether James could beat Jordan one-on-one.
"Easy answer MJ all day, every day!" tweeted Lakers legend Magic Johnson.
"If MJ and LeBron played 1-on-1 10 times, MJ would win all 10. MJ is the ultimate 1-on-1 player!" he added.
Despite the knock, Johnson also tweeted his admiration for James, adding: "I truly love @KingJames' game. He is the best all around player we have today."
It isn't the first time Magic — or a Laker legend — backed Jordan's skills over LeBron.
In 2011, a year before James won his first championship, Jordan's former teammate Scottie Pippen said he believed James "may be the greatest player to ever play the game."
Johnson took to Jordan's defense on Twitter, saying "I have tried not to comment on what Scottie Pippen said, but Michael is the greatest ever — point blank."
Although the best of LeBron may be yet to come, one thing is clear: Magic isn't the only one who knows LeBron isn't at his best one-on-one.
Last month, when asked if he could beat LeBron one-on-one, Kobe Bryant responded, 'No question. As far as 1-on-1, I'm the best to ever do it.
"LeBron is a terrific all-around, five-on-five basketball player who’s an all-time great. But I’d get him."
See some of the Magic's tweets below:
If MJ and LeBron played 1-on-1 10 times, MJ would win all 10. MJ is the ultimate 1-on-1 player! #MJvsLeBron
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 13, 2013
Michael Jordan is a 6x Champion 6x finals MVP and one of the most unstoppable forces this game has ever seen. #MJvsLeBron
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 13, 2013
I truly love @kingjames' game. He is the best all around player we have today! #MJvsLeBron
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 13, 2013
— Natalie Venegas
