Knicks News: Legend gives critical LeBron James take, initial James Harden interest

The Michael Jordan-LeBron James debate is never-ending, but New York Knicks legend John Starks believes the current Lakers star has one major flaw in the GOAT conversation.

Jordan was with the Bulls from 1985 to 1993 before he retired for the first time, but he returned to Chicago in 1994, and he was there until 1998 when he retired for the second time. He made his comeback in 2001 and spent his final two seasons in the league with the Wizards.

While Jordan played for two teams, LeBron has played for three teams (four if you count the Cavaliers twice) and counting. In 2010, he announced on ‘The Decision’ that he was taking his talents to Miami, where he teamed up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh and won his first two championships.

Since then, LeBron won another ring with his hometown team and one with the Lakers in his second season in LA.

John Starks told Bally Sports’ Brandon Robinson that he thinks LeBron has actually hurt his legacy by switching teams. The former Knicks guard cited Jordan’s desire to play against the best players, not recruit them to his team or join them on theirs.

Starks has caught flak for his opinion, with some fans saying it’s more impressive that LeBron has won three titles with three different teams compared to the six Jordan won with the Bulls.

In other news, ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne confirmed in her latest report that the Knicks were one of two teams to express initial interest in James Harden after he requested a trade. Since then, the Sixers have cut off trade talks and said they expect Harden to be at training camp. Meanwhile, Harden’s made it clear he doesn’t intend to play another game for the organization.

More Knicks news

• John Starks also told Brandon Robinson that if Draymond Green played in the 1990s, he “would have gotten checked real quick for his antics.”
• In an interview with The Athletic’s Darnell Mayberry, former Knick Eddy Curry discussed his NBA career (subscription required), including his time in New York.
• The NBA released the 2023-24 G League schedule. Here’s what the first full month of competition will look like.

NBA news

• The Lakers signed free agent Christian Wood to a two-year, $5.7 million deal on Tuesday, with the second season being a player option.
• The Sixers signed free agent Danny Green to a one-year deal on Tuesday. The three-time NBA champion spent the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons in Philadelphia.
• Pelicans’ Trey Murphy III tore his meniscus during a workout on Sunday, and it’s still unclear whether the injury will require surgery.

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