Back in the day, NBA big man Jayson Williams was a ferocious rebounder for the then-New Jersey Nets. He averaged at least 10.0 rebounds a game in his last four seasons, but his career ended prematurely in 1999 when he broke his right leg at the age of 31.
He has earned a reputation as a humorous and loquacious man who will not hold back on his opinions on any issue. During an appearance on "Scoop B Radio" with Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson, he recalled a comment Michael Jordan told him about LeBron James.
"Different eras," Williams told Robinson. "I asked Michael this when we played golf about five months ago, and he said, 'LeBron James could play in ANY era.'"
At the same time, Williams has a clear preference in the ongoing James-Jordan debate.
“I’m taking the killer! I’m taking MJ. Yeah, it’s going to be a close score. They’re two of the best that ever did it. But that boy is strong, you know? LeBron is STRONG. But if I say MJ, LeBron might get mad, and if I say LeBron, Michael and Charles Oakley are going to get mad. I can’t win this one! I’ve been in enough trouble in my life!”
That debate rages on, and Jordan has been at least somewhat reluctant to praise James. But his comment is significant, especially since there is a sizable contingent of basketball fans who feel James wouldn't have been nearly as great had he played in the slowdown, black-and-blue era of the 1990s.
Of course, James continues to play at his customary high level at age 40 and in his 22nd NBA season. Coming into Monday's game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets, he was averaging 24.5 points on 51.1% overall shooting and 37.3% from 3-point range, 8.5 assists and 8.1 rebounds a game.
He has the Lakers in fourth place in the Western Conference, and they appear to have at least a puncher's chance of doing something special in the playoffs this year.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Jayson Williams reveals Michael Jordan's big praise of LeBron James
