Wade: LeBron can only match Jordan's legacy, not surpass it
If LeBron James' desire truly is to chase the ghost of basketball icon Michael Jordan, then his banana boat buddy Dwyane Wade would recommend The King not set his expectations too high.
"No, it's not possible," Wade told ESPN's Nick Friedell with a laugh when asked if anyone could surpass Michael Jordan as the greatest player in NBA history. "It's not possible. ...
"The only thing you can do is tie it. There's no 19th hole."
Related: Why LeBron won't catch the 'ghost' of Michael Jordan
Wade knows exactly how formidable a player James is, having won two championships in 2012 and 2013 by his side in South Beach for the Miami Heat. On the other hand, Wade is a native of Chicago, where he now competes as a member of the Bulls after signing a two-year contract over the offseason. Jordan is considered a god in the Windy City, and any notion he may not be the GOAT is considered blasphemous.
Wade still gives his close friend credit where credit is due, going as far as saying James is capable of being on par with Jordan somewhere down the road.
"I think last year - not only in my eyes, but in a lot of people's eyes - really put him ... he's on the 15th hole right now," Wade said of James. "And he's on his way, for sure."
Jordan went a perfect 6-of-6 in Finals appearances with the Bulls, being named Finals MVP at the end of every series. He was league MVP five times, a 14-time All-Star, and member of the All-NBA First Team 10 times.
"You can't go past it," Wade added of Jordan's legacy. "How can you? That's as great as it gets, man. The only thing you can do, like I said, is be A-1, A-B. There's no way higher."