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NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas wouldn't favor basketball legend Michael Jordan in any comparisons with Miami Heat's LeBron James.

Unlike fellow Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, who said that Michael Jordan will win a one-on-one over LeBron James, Thomas didn't take sides as to who is better overall between the two, saying the answer hinges on other things.

But he argued that LeBron James is more athletic than Michael Jordan.

"LeBron James is the best athlete of today, and he's probably a better athlete than Michael Jordan was. He's bigger, he's faster, he's stronger," said Thomas, according to ESPN.

While Los Angeles Laker forward Antawn Jamison said that if the 50-year old Jordan played today, he could get about 10 or 11 points in 15-20 minutes, Thomas didn't agree.

He said the point total could be possible if Jordan played 40 minutes, and questioned the latter's ability to defend and get back in transition.

"It's a lot that goes into playing an NBA game and it's a lot that goes into training to be an NBA player. You can be in great health-club shape, but to be a pro athlete and be in that type of physical condition, training condition and mindset, that's a different type of person you're talking about," explains Thomas.

Incidentally, Charlotte Bobcats rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist said he recently lost to Jordan in a game of one-on-one.

Jordan and Thomas clashed all the way back to the alleged freeze-out of Jordan in the 1985 All-Star Game. The feud then culminated with Thomas' Pistons walking off the floor without congratulating Jordan's Bulls at the end of the 1991 Eastern Conference finals.

That reportedly played a role in keeping Thomas off the 1992 Olympic "Dream Team."

 

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