Brendan Haywood highlights the biggest difference between LeBron James and Michael Jordan: "LeBron wants to get the 8, 9, 10 assists"

Brendan Haywood highlights the biggest difference between LeBron James and Michael Jordan: "LeBron wants to get the 8, 9, 10 assists" originally appeared on Basketball Network.

Brendan Haywood was fortunate enough to play a longside two of the greatest players in NBA history: LeBron James and Michael Jordan. The unique experience granted him invaluable insights into their contrasting playing styles and competitive approaches.

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Having given a front-row seat to MJ's greatness with the Washington Wizards and LeBron's dominance with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Haywood recognized that the two iconic figures are fundamentally different athletes with their own distinct flair to the game.

Given this perspective, Brendan believes it is time for fans and analysts alike to cease the comparisons between James and Jordan and instead just appreciate the unique contributions each has made to the sport.

"He doesn't play like Mike," the 13-year NBA veteran said of LeBron in an interview with HoopsHype in 2020. "He wasn't trying to fully dominate like Mike. LeBron wants to play an overall floor game. Bron is more like Magic Johnson but with next-level athleticism." 

"That allows him to do incredible things. LeBron wants to get the 8, 9, 10 assists. He wants to get the rebounds. He wants to get his 26, 27 points. He isn't just worried about scoring, though. He's not trying to destroy you. He's not worried about how many buckets he gets," he added.

MJ and Bron are both winners but not comparable

Haywood didn't just observe the distinctions between Jordan and LeBron. At the same time, the former University of North Carolina big man also identified their key similarities. For Haywood, one of the most striking parallels between the two legends was their unwavering determination to win.

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Brendan noted that both MJ and King James have dedicated themselves to mastering their craft, consistently proving to be reliable and impactful players on their respective teams. However, Haywood reckoned that even though His Airness and Bron are both relentless in their pursuit of excellence, it's still a lazy analysis to conclude that they are in the same category.

Haywood suggested that there are nuances in Jordan and LeBron's games that make the GOAT debate and comparisons ultimately invalid.

"The thing that they most have in common is that they impact winning," Haywood concluded. "But they go about in totally different ways. That is why it's so unfair that LeBron is always compared to Mike."

Brendan described LeBron and MJ as leaders

On e thing Haywood has also discussed about Jordan and Bron in the past was their leadership style. While it's common knowledge in the sport that both players are the undeniable leaders of their respective teams, Haywood emphasized that their characters as leaders are significantly different.

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According to him, Jordan, known for his fierce competitiveness, often adopted a more demanding and straightforward approach, pushing his teammates to excel through his high expectations. In contrast, LeBron embodies a more nurturing and forgiving approach, fostering a collaborative environment that encourages growth and support among his teammates.

Haywood revealed that MJ frequen tly called his teammates out, while James often mentored them. Though opposite, their style contributed to the legacy they have built throughout their illustrious careers.

"I'm glad I got a chance to play with Bron and MJ because I've seen greatness, but I've seen it done differently," Haywood once said as he weighed in on Bron and MJ's leadership styles. "If you're not doing your job, MJ is at your neck; if you can't help him win, he ain't got no time for you. Bron is a little bit more diplomatic; he is going to try to talk to you a little bit, and then he ain't got time for you."

"I would see him trying to coach up Kyrie. I remember there was a game in Utah where Kyrie had like 0 assists and Kyrie was making all the excuses… He [LeBron] said, 'You got the ball in your hands way too much not to ha ve any assists; we can't win like this,'" he further pointed out.

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Related: "To put it mildly, every night you had to go against a legend" - Dominique Wilkins makes a case he should be in the GOAT debate

Jordan and LeBron are still the top two GOAT candidates

Perhaps only Haywood and those who have shared the court with Jordan and LeBron could thoroughly explain why people should stop comparing their skills and accomplishments. However, what remains undeniable is that MJ and James are still the two top candidates in the ongoing NBA GOAT debate.

James and Jordan certainly share both similarities and differences, making it perfectly reasonable for fans to engage in ongoing debates about who truly deserves to be named the greatest player of all time.

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Truth be told, none of MJ and Bron's former teammates and coaches could decide on it but it is always intriguing and satisfying to hear their insights and perspectives on the subject. Their thoughts provide a deeper understanding of what makes each player a rightful GOAT candidate and it's interesting to learn if their views and takes on the debate would change as time passes by.

Related: "When a guy can pick up the ball with one hand... it's very difficult" - Phil Jackson explained why MJ would beat Kobe if they played one-on-one in their primes

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.