"Hard not to go with Shaq" - Ice Cube snubs LeBron James & picks another Lakers legend for his ultimate 3v3 team
LeBron James is one of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball. From being physically gifted to playing a cerebral game, the LA Lakers star would be on almost everyone’s dream team, but not on Ice Cube’s 3v3 team.
Cube sat down for an interview with Clutch Point’s Rob “Lep” Lepelstat on Stat Sports podcast. When Lepelstat asked the American rapper to make his own 3v3 team, Cube immediately went with Michael Jordan but struggled to name his next two.
The founder and co-owner of the BIG3, Cube snubbed LeBron James from his 3v3 team. Interestingly, Cube, who is a big-time Lakers fan, had two of the former Lakers on his team. He had MJ, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant on his ultimate 3vs3 team.
“Michael Jordan of course… it’s hard to not go with Shaq… you can’t lose with Kobe, Jordan, and Shaq. How could you lose with that combo?”
Ice Cube has been vocal about Michael Jordan being the greatest player in basketball. Cube was one of the witnesses to the Kobe-Shaq era in Los Angeles and the Lakers' dominance, with both players winning three championships together.
Ice Cube picks Michael Jordan over LeBron James in GOAT debate
The LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan GOAT debate is not ending anytime soon. Even though MJ and James never played against each other, they continue to compete in their fans' minds.
The latest name to weigh in on the biggest debate in NBA history is the American Rapper Ice Cube. The co-founder of BIG3 chose Jordan over James and remarked that unlike James, who is gifted, MJ willed his greatness.
"I think it’s between the ears. Mike is wired different. LeBron is physically gifted," Cube told Jeff Eisenberg of Yahoo Sports. "He walks in the door better than most players because of his physical stature. Jordan willed himself better. He makes himself better than you, he takes your confidence from you, and he steps up to all challenges."
"I want this guy. I’m locking him down. Not today. That’s what you want in a basketball player. I want that mentality of taking no prisoners and destroying your enemy."
Ice Cube and others who are part of the debate know that there will never be an absolute answer to this. One of the biggest reasons that the comparison between these two greats is difficult is because MJ never played against the Lakers.
LeBron James continues to make his mark in the history book, even at age 39. He is part of the USA Men's basketball team at the 2024 Paris Olympics to defend the Gold medal. The four-time NBA champion is still one of the best players in the game and that should perhaps be one of the yardsticks of greatness and not just the titles.