Pippen: Comparisons between LeBron, MJ 'shouldn't ever be made'

The debate of who is better between LeBron James and Michael Jordan may rage until the end of time, but as far as Scottie Pippen is concerned, there should be no comparisons made between the two greats.

Pippen joined ESPN's "The Jump" on Friday to respond to Isiah Thomas saying last month on NBA TV that he'd pick James over Jordan. After calling out Thomas for "hating" on Jordan, Pippen explained why he doesn't like comparing James to his former teammate.

"Michael Jordan is the greatest player to ever put on shoes and play in our game. No doubt about it," Pippen said. "I'm always asked questions to compare him to LeBron. I try to make the best of it, but really, the comparison shouldn't ever be made. They both play two different positions.

"The way LeBron James play - Michael Jordan was never asked to play that way, because I took that away from him. I was the point forward. I was the facilitator. Michael Jordan was a scorer. He was a defender. He played the game as complete as LeBron James did when he needed to, but he was asked to score the basketball and that's what he was great at."

But if he had to choose between them, Pippen would go for Jordan every time.

"There's no game that I would ever play in and pick LeBron James over Michael Jordan," he said. "Not if I'm trying to win."