"He's more than welcome to try." There's an element of Jim's natural competitive nature there, because Sulu is the best and no one can tell him differently, but it's not as vehement or as... out-to-prove as usual. Different universes. He doesn't need to contrast and compare. Jim has faith in his crew - he's got all the faith in every possible universe in his crew, and that's enough.

And then Kyle touches his foot and Jim flexes his toes and laughs. "Not ticklish, try again. And I'm not even a little ahead of myself. I know I can do it."