“It's something about LeBron when he's on the court” - Andre Miller says LeBron James is the only player who matches Michael Jordan’s presence
Hoop fans and former NBA players talk about Michael Jordan 's aura as if it were a myth, like the Fountain of Youth or Bigfoot. However, MJ's impactful presence wasn't a figment of anyone's imagination or fabricated by any media machinery; it was real and felt by anyone who crossed paths with him.
From Kevin Garnett to Allen Iverson to Paul Pierce , stories of NBA superstars in awe of Jordan when they first met him are the stuff of legends. And as influential as the 6'6" Bulls icon was off the court, he was just as persuasive on it, willing his teammates to get on the same page as him to get the job done.
Decades have passed since Jordan last played in the NBA and according to former NBA veteran Andre Miller , nobody has come to the league with that type of aura until LeBron James , whom he praised for the incredible job he's done this late in his career.
Bron's playing with a bunch of kids
Heading to their first-round series against the Houston Rockets , nobody gave the Purple and Gold a snowball's chance in hell to get to the next round, especially after Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves suffered severe injuries late in the regular season.
Yet here the Lakers are, up 3-1 and on the verge of advancing to the second round. Miller said this achievement is tremendous, considering the young players James is sharing the court with.
"We witnessing a 41-year-old man with a son. He playing with a whole bunch of his kids out there," Miller said on "Road Trippin.'"
A 17-year veteran, Miller recalled what it was like to enter the United Center, play against the Bulls and feel the energy buzzing from the crowd and in the arena — something he claims he sees from James, even this late into his distinguished career.
"I played against LeBron James and, you know, when I used to go into United Center and play against the Bulls, you can have that aura, that Michael Jordan aura — you can feel the energy," Andre explained.
"It's something about LeBron James when he's on the court. When he's on the court, man, he makes everybody better. He makes everybody turn their game up. He gets everybody involved."
The Puple and Gold are advancing
The Lakers still need one more victory to advance in the playoffs, but if Andre is to be believed, this series is over. Despite LeBron's miserable performance in Game 4 (10 points, eight turnovers), Andre asserted that the Rockets will see a different player in Game 5 — one rejuvenated after a few days of rest.
"This series is over because he knows that he needs rest. He knows he needs rest," Miller remarked.
With Kevin Durant set to miss Game 5 and the Rockets' chemistry nowhere near solid, coupled with LeBron's aura of greatness, Andre added that the latter is too savvy to let a moment of this magnitude slip through his fingers.
"LeBron legacy is so big and his aura—his aura is just going to, you know, see you later, Houston. I think it's over. I think the series is over," Miller conveyed. "LeBron James is just too great of a player, and he understands what's going on in the moment."
Related: “I’ve done enough” - LeBron James on sharing a historic playoff moment with Bronny James
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Apr 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
