LeBron James Named Michael Jordan and 3 Other NBA Legends as Dream Teammates

When you think of LeBron James, you think of him being one of the greatest players ever to step foot on a basketball court. The now Los Angeles Lakers star has built an incredible career and legacy that, when he does eventually call it time, people from around the world will genuinely be devastated to see him go.

But for all his individual greatness – he is a multiple-time MVP and perennial All-Star even at the age of 40 – he has not been without his fair share of help. From his days as a Cleveland Cavalier, to when he joined the Miami Heat to create a super-team alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, now with the Lakers where he has been able to count upon the likes of Anthony Davis and Luka Doncic as sparring partners, James has rubbed shoulders with some incredible players – many of whom are Hall of Fame worthy.

But while the King has played with some great talents, who would be the Lakers’ star dream teammates going back a few years or even a few decades? Well, James name-checked four NBA legends as the players he wishes he could have teamed up with, and it’s safe to say it would have been such a fascinating prospect to see it actually happen in real life.

Michael Jordan

Unsurprisingly, James named Michael Jordan as the first player he would love to have teamed up with. The Chicago Bulls icon is the man considered as greatest basketball player of all-time – or at least in a battle with LeBron for one and two – so having them paired up together would have been extraordinary to say the least.

Indeed, James himself has previously said that the way Jordan played the game, would have complemented his play style very well, with the latter being the ultimate scorer and LeBron playing the point forward role like Scottie Pippen did and setting him up.

Penny Hardaway

One of the stars of the Orlando Magic, Penny Hardaway formed a potent double act along with Shaquille O’Neal in the 1990s. While he may have only been a four-time All-Star in his career, Hardaway was named to the All-NBA First Team on back-to-back occasions in 1995 and 1996 as the Magic looked to claim an NBA title with a youthful but exuberant roster.

Hardaway’s size – he stands at 6 foot 7 – at the point guard/shooting guard position made him relatively unique during his era, often towering over other guards much like Magic Johnson with the Los Angeles Lakers in the decade prior. Nevertheless, LeBron paid tribute to Penny and even claimed that he idolised the Orlando guard more so than he did Jordan given that he resembled the kind of point forward that he was trying to emulate himself.

Scottie Pippen

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Scottie Pippen and LeBron James being on the same team together would have been a sight to see, particularly from a defensive point of view. Whereas Pippen could genuinely lock up from one through five, James’ help defense and coming in from the blindside or when chasing down could be elite.

Pippen may have been as a supporting act to Michael Jordan during the Chicago Bulls’ legendary run in the 1990s, but in the two years that he had to lead the team by himself, he did so superbly, becoming the de facto number one option for the franchise and taking on extra responsibility with the team on the court.

Grant Hill

The last player who LeBron James brought up when discussing the players he would love to have played with, is Grant Hill. One of the greatest ever players at college level, Hill lived up to the hype early on in his career, before injuries seriously derailed him. The former Phoenix Suns and Detroit Pistons star took the NBA by storm, with even Isiah Thomas declaring that people were ready to hand over the baton from Michael Jordan to Hill as the next face of the league.

A seven-time All-Star, Hill was named to the All-NBA First Team in 1997, and as a dynamic and explosive small forward, he resembled much of what made LeBron great in his early years of his career.