LeBron James

[All4One1ForAll]

 

[Jscc]

Being more diverse. Doesnt mean better. Jordan scored the ball better than anyone. He was so dominant in that area of his game it just overwhelmed opponents. LeBron shows flashes of that but he cant score consistently like Jordan. LeBron does a number of things very well/great. LeBron's all time greatness at whatever facet of the game.......doesnt match up with what Jordan could do as far as scoring.

MJ was always a volume scorer. He averaged 22+ FGA per game for 12 straight seasons. LeBron has averaged 22+ FGA per game.. once. That doesn't mean LeBron can't "score consistently like Jordan"--LeBron's career FG% is .496 and Jordan's was... .497.

 

[scopedog]

Yeah screw all that "in this league" criteria mess. That's just you setting your own criteria and acting like it has to apply to everyone else. That's not how it works.

Both LeBron and Jordan have a number of things they do better than the other. Ultimately I think LeBron is slightly better game to game. So for me its just about achievements at this point. But that's just my personal opinion and I'm not going to try to act like my word is law and force it onto others.

 

[Cavatt]

Have to agree about Jordans will to win. You could murder his dad and he wasnt intimidated, but just have sex with Brons mom and he quits.

 

[The Red Viper]

As a player and in terms of ability, LeBron IS as good as Michael Jordan was. Michael was a better scorer but LeBron is a better facilitator and is more versatile. Defensively, there ain't much between them either. Jordan is slightly better on-ball defender than LeBron but then LeBron could guard 1-4. For me, it really comes down to legacy. Jordan has won six. That is the only thing where LeBron is lacking behind. If he wins at least three more and has five, I think a legitimate case can then be made about LeBron being the best ever!

 

[AZCavs]

One thing LeBron has done that neither MJ or Kobe could do: Win a title without Phil Jackson.

Take that as you will.

 

[killernut4]

One thing LeBron has done that neither MJ or Kobe could do: Win a title without Phil Jackson.

Take that as you will.

Yes yes yes. You associate MJ and Kobe/Shaq with Phil, Isiah Thomas with Daly, Magic with Riley. Unless Spolstra turns into something special, LBJ has never had a HOF coach to associate himself with.

 

[DatDudeZ3]

At the end of the day when LeBron retires after he has 5 more solid seasons and probably some more titles, he will be recognized as the best player to ever do it. His passing ability at his size along with his ability to score and dominate a game is something unseen before. He literally excels at anything, can guard 1-5, crazy vision, could average 10 rebounds a game if he wanted, can be a lockdown defender when he wants. He can help you in every single category... Just wait until LeBron retires and look at the numbers, while I'll be sitting here sipping on my tea.

 

[Rainman]

As dominate as MJ was against Cleveland so is Lebron vs Chicago. Just wish they would have faced each other in their prime.

 

[Chris]

Dominant. It's dominant. Sorry, I just couldn't take it anymore.

 

[Moppet]

As a player and in terms of ability, LeBron IS as good as Michael Jordan was. Michael was a better scorer but LeBron is a better facilitator and is more versatile. Defensively, there ain't much between them either. Jordan is slightly better on-ball defender than LeBron but then LeBron could guard 1-4. For me, it really comes down to legacy. Jordan has won six. That is the only thing where LeBron is lacking behind. If he wins at least three more and has five, I think a legitimate case can then be made about LeBron being the best ever!

Agreed on defense, Jordan and Lebron peak for peak defensively are very close, Lebron does not have the lateral speed like Jordan did for 1v1 matchups, but Bron's recovery speed and help defense during his latter Cavs days and first 3 years in Miami were top in the league, should've won DPOY over Chandler in 2012 if I wasn't completely biased.

Offensively, Jordan triumphs Lebron. Jordan had a million moves, and nearly had no weakness in his game other than the 3, was a considerably better FT shooter and had a much stronger "rep" than Lebron as a closer and scorer. Lebron's floor game and playmaking is superior to Jordan's, but Jordan is simply better at putting the ball through a hoop. One could argue that if Lebron took as many shots, he would score as much, but thats where the difference in mentality comes in. Maybe Lebron ability wise is on par, but he hasn't shown it in his game. One thing I'll say though, its funny how some people are nostalgic about rough defense and better competition Jordan had to face, remember, Jordan played in a league especially East watered down by expansion teams, and don't even get me started on the soft ass fouls Jordan got after the early 90s and during his 2nd 3peat era. His Bulls teams were the 3rd seed without him and a game away from the Conf Finals (pretty much Finals as well if they made it that far), its not like Jordan could it alone like some modern sports writers would have you believe. Jordan struggled in some game, some series, and he too had a team to bail him out. Jordan is a better player than Lebron, but he is not some mythical creature that you cannot measure up against. There will be a player better than Jordan, trust me on that.

 

[Jscc]

Jordan is a better player than Lebron, but he is not some mythical creature that you cannot measure up against. There will be a player better than Jordan, trust me on that.

There was. His name was Wilt Chamberlain.

Difficult to find anyone other than him though.

 

[Moppet]

There was. His name was Wilt Chamberlain.

Difficult to find anyone other than him though.

Relative to Era, sure, but some 60s guards could not dribble with offhand. Cross-era comparisons are always difficult, when the game has change some much and athletes are much more conditioned than ever before.

 

[Jscc]

Relative to Era, sure, but some 60s guards could not dribble with offhand. Cross-era comparisons are always difficult, when the game has change some much and athletes are much more conditioned than ever before.

Maybe but Oscar Robertson played around the same era and I consider him the best PG in NBA history.

 

[TyGuy]

I don't understand why people can't just sit back and enjoy these players. Lebrons career has been plagued by constantly measuring him up to Jordan and the question "where will he play next?"

Instead of appreciating players for who they are it is a constant dick measuring contest.

Who would win in a one on one contest? Certainly a 52 year old Jordan isn't beating anybody. How ludicrous of a question to even pose and how dumb are the people to think a mid century player is beating anybody, let alone lebron James.

Time machine game: size typically wins out, see jabar vs dr j. I see both guys taking games.