NBA legend Michael Jordan praised LeBron James for leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to victory over the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern conference finals.

Cleveland Cavaliers' Lebron James celebrates with his girlfriend Savannah Brinson after his team defeated the Detroit Pistons in Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals basketball series in Cleveland, Ohio, June 2, 2007. [Reuters]

"What just transpired was something I felt was needed for the league, was needed for Cleveland, was needed for LeBron," Jordan said in Monday editions of the Chicago Tribune.

James' playoff performance included 25 straight points to end Game 5.

James has been pegged for years as the natural NBA heir to Jordan, who won six championships during his 13 seasons with the Bulls.

The 44-year-old Jordan told the Chicago Tribune Monday that the next step for the 22-year-old James is to achieve consistency.