One endless debate. Id put him near 50, said Smith, adding that Jordan could have played for 20 seasons if he absorbed less contact throughout his career. Michael Jordan and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf recount a funny conversation when discussing his recovery from a foot injury. He has been known to flop and complain to referees. This is the big one regardless of age, the season after which if Chamberlain had been hitting free agency the Philadelphia Warriors owner would have skipped contract formalities and simply called him partner. How would you pay someone today who averaged 50 points, almost 26 rebounds and 48.5 minutes? How LeBron can top Jordan for GOAT status. If you utilize material unique to a Sports Reference So for the record, youve got MJ, then Kobe, then LeBron. However, the reporters and fans always want to compare both of them because both players become one of the best players in NBA nowadays. That was too young for LeBron James, for Dwight Howard, for Amare Stoudemire. Given the title Air-Jordan, winning dunk competitions, and bring joy to many fans watching his hunger for winning. Lebron James and Michael Jordan are the greatest legends of their times because they have the most stats, the most rings, and the most money. WebPlayer Comparison: LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. One person who isn't changing his mind anytime soon is First Take's Stephen A. Smith. Nearly a third of Hardens points this season (10.2) came from the foul line, his career-high on freebies. They both just want to be the best teammates for their own teams. The only time Michael and LeBron did it the same was when they had lanes to the basket, Johnson said with a laugh. The author explains that actually, Stephen Curry has no intrigued about the new face of NBA between him and Lebron James. However, no players have been debated more than Michael Jordan and Lebron James. Heres why both legends can credibly claim to be the greatest. most points scored by a player in their 20th season, LeBron James will be GOAT over Michael Jordan once he gets NBA's scoring record, says Chandler Parsons. It was all identical but not the same(P//5). Please enable JavaScript for the best experience. This has James on pace to set the NBA record by a wide margin. Michael Jordan has had his downfalls like losing some of the championships. There was a battle of old warriors going on 20-plus spots down the scoring leaderboard, with Malone edging out Jordan (20.0) for the 39-year-old crown. He adopts a comic tone in order to amuse and entertain the reader, but also to establish a common ground with the reader in order for them to consider his inquiry that consistent, continuous competition has been the catalyst for bringing James into the discussion for the greatest of, Who is better Lebron James or Michael Jordan? Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. The harsh debate has gone on ever since Lebrons rookie season in 2004 when people started comparing him to Jordan. This season marked the sixth of Chamberlains seven straight scoring titles. "I can relate to the players and we can talk about music, shoes and movies because we are similar in ages," said the Timberwolves coach, whose roster has three players older than him. If I needed two points to win a title, Id take Jordan, said Bruce Bowen, an eight-time all-defensive team selection who played in the NBA from 1997 to 2009. He would get the bucket or get free throws. Lakers rally from 27 down in Dallas as Anthony Davis closes with force, from passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the top spot on that same list, Southern California home sales fall to all-time low, Teacher at Irvines Beckman High School arrested after recording devices found in restroom, Final bones of 50-year-old Laguna Hills mall are coming down, OC students snowed in at science camps are coming home, Killer keto? Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. It's all about which category you choose when it comes to advanced statistics. Davis agreed, too, with a twist that neatly summarized these two greats differing approaches at this historic crossing. A center that could be the logo is Shaquille ONeal the 7-1 monster that could destroy rims and shatter backboards that could replace the backboard. Numerous endorsements, an acting career, and widespread humanitarianism are only a few of the features that comprise the man we know as Lebron James. Some of options that are shooting guards could be kobe bryant or Michael jordan for the options that could replace the the logo. LeBron James will always be looked at as one of the greatest team players in the history of the NBA. WebThe 7-foot-1 Hall of Fame center destroyed rims, glass backboards and entire baskets on multiple occasions throughout his career.Michael Jordan is already eternalized in LeBron James is currently the fourth-leading scorer in NBA history, 19 points ahead of Michael Jordan, who holds the No. Not only does he help the team with his scoring, but he seems to make everyone around him perform better with his playmaking ability. The first time Durant averaged 30 points or more in a season was in 2009-10 in his age-21 season. It also gave him the bragging rights of five firsts and two seconds on this scoring-by-age chart. This was the only by-age slot for James until this season. If a role player missed an open shot, Michael was thinking that he could have done that with three guys on him. On your television. 5 spot with 32,292. The debate between who the best basketball player of all time has been going on for many years. They both managed to have a killer mentality where winning was the number one priority, and health was just a second thought. Both players do not care about who is going to be new faces of NBA or whatever. James (38,299 career points) is only 89 points away from doing so. Jordan has another amazing record when he scored 63 points against the Boston Celtics in 1986. Daring James to shoot proved effective for stretches because it caused James to overthink. The question thats been roaming around the air for quite awhile now iswho was better at it? Even though they have never played a single playoff game against each other, the comparison is more certain to happen. James has made 1,714 three pointers, It would be greatly appreciated and would Where Jordan has the slightest edge on LeBron in the playoffs aside from rings is a winning percentage of 66.5% with a record of 119-60. James did it last season and again this season. In conclusion, LeBron James is statistically a better player when it comes to all-around basketball. However, Michael Jordan was a much better scorer. He won more on the biggest stage, but failed often in the playoffs and rarely beat some of his greatest opponents. James played with better teammates than Jordan did. Of the others who entered the league straight from high school, Tracy McGrady (7.0) got closest to Bryants average one year later. All rights reserved. While Lebron plays the Small forward position, but he can play either five position on the court because of his height and weight coming in at 68 250 pounds. , up dramatically from 95.1 points per game in 2002-03, Jordans final season and the last before James joined the league. The gap in total numbers will widen as long as James stays healthy, and he doesn't appear to be slowing down at age 38. 3, chasing Kareem at the top LeBron James and champion Lakers join NBA TV after Game 6 win For the record, were clipping off this list here. James had a clear-cut advantage, with Jordan having averaged 22.9PPG, 5.7RPG and 5.2APG on 41.6% shooting, however, many fans took issue with the comparison. American basketball star Michael Jordan was born on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York. Even after Michael Jordan left his team they were still successful, as for LeBron leaving Cleveland well things were not looking good for the Cavs. I wouldnt change LeBrons approach at all.. Nothing was ever going to deter him, sometimes to a fault. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. Or should that be LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan? source for the material. There is an argument to be made for putting LeBron James over Jordan, and James' case only grew stronger after he passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer. Compare And Contrast Michael Jordan And Lebroon James, LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan Nowadays, the question that looms over every NBA fan and analysts head is, Who is the greatest of all time? Date of birth: Feb 17, 1963. It is streaming now on ESPN+. Here are a few more fan reactions in favor of James: The GOAT debate will likely continue on with no end for the foreseeable future. Jordans influence was one that had never been seen before. He did average 34.0 points for the Oaks at 24. Michael Jordan averaged 30.1 points per game over his career the highest in NBA history. Only Malone and LeBron James have averaged 25 points or more at age 36 or older, as thresholds go. James, by contrast, has led the league in scoring just once, and he peaked as a solo scoring threat in 2005-06, averaging 31.4 points per game and 23.1 shots per game while using 33.8 percent of his teams possessions. LeBron has much competition with all the new all these new talents with so much potential. James would have to play in nearly 60 games at his current scoring pace to pass Kobe Bryant, at 33,543 points. Only 139 NBA players have scored more than 15,000 points, and just seven have crossed the 30,000 mark. Whether it was through basketball or his own brand, Jordan was making everyone want to be like Mike. There are many factors that influence this decision whether it be their raw stats or their championship rings. They both just want to be the best teammates for their own teams. Remember when LeBron scored 25 straight points? Cassell asked, referring to a 2007 playoff game between Jamess Cavaliers and the Pistons. There was no rest, Bowen said. Bucks: Start time, where to watch, what's the latest, Grizzlies vs. If the more dominate player already isnt clear, its Michael, Who is the greatest basketball player of all time? Henry Aaron slugged 47 home runs in 1971, when he was 37 years old. Kobe has 5 championships, and out of those 5 he was the MVP of two of them (2007-08). LA Lakers star forward LeBron James has been on fire since turning 38 on December 30. Or 44, easily, guessed Cassell. TOV and ORtg since 1977-78. They do not believe that anyone is better than them. Father Time starts winking at the best of them. James has 28 career 40-point games in the playoffs On the defensive end, he would pounce on ballhandlers, aggressively double the post and jet into passing lanes for steals. The LeBron James kindergarten photo controversy. Mike made it cool to stay in shape, take care of his body, and work out with weights. This is true because of his team-player mentality, his ability to carry a team, and his raw physical and athletic capabilities. Two of the names that come up a lot in this conversation are Michael Jordan and Lebron James. Two exceptional talents. J Irving are just a few of those with the careers to back this title. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. WNBA all-time (since 1997) unless otherwise noted. Simmons purpose is to show the effects of being driven by competition and how that has brought James into the discussion for the greatest basketball player of all time. In your Twitter replies. A key example of LeBrons failure to lead a team is during the 2015 NBA finals. Stephen Jackson settles MJ-Kobe-LeBron GOAT debate, Stephen A.: LeBron can't be GOAT playing in NBA's softest era, Jordan: Comparison between LeBron and me will always be there, SC Featured: Jordan-LeBron debate tackled by Harvard and Yale (6:40), Everything you need to know about the NBA GOAT debate, V. 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As you can see on the list below, James playing at or near his current level should have a solid shot at the setting age 38 and age 39 marks held respectively by Abdul-Jabbar (23.4) and Malone (20.6). A lot of it was ego. In addition to his more imposing physique, James has surpassed Jordan in other ways. He can take seemingly lackluster players like Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith, who suffered on other teams, and make them play to their full capability and beyond. Jordan and Lebron, Mike and the King, have been exalted above all other players, repeatedly for their superior play and championship drive. The G League Ignite guard has been toward the top of several draft boards ahead of the 2023 Draft. Considering James' elite scoring production at age 37, we examine the NBA's all-time highest scorers by age. As many haters and doubters of LeBron James have stated before, he cant win when it counts or he chokes in the Finals or he tainted his championships by forming the big 3, you have to give credit where credit is due. He passes Michael Jordan, who did it at age 34 in 1997. There were the Jordan Rules, but theres no LeBron Rules because you cant be that physical anymore, said Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Sam Cassell, a strong-minded point guard who won two titles with the Houston Rockets during a playing career that spanned from 1993 to 2008. We were trying to kill Michael Jordan and he would just get up and make his free throws.. Two of the greatest players to ever step on a basketball court, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. At 34 and with three more seasons remaining on his current contract, James will next take aim at the three players ahead of him on the scoring list: Kobe Bryant (33,643 points), Karl Malone (36,928) and all-time leader Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387). In terms of longevity, James holds a clear advantage. 1 on the NBA's greatest players list? was an inspiration, James told reporters on March 7, 2019, the night he passed Jordan for fourth place on the NBAs career scoring list. NEW: Sample Searches for learning more about the power and flexibility of Stathead. Over 14 games, James is averaging 34.7 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game on 51. The answer to that is very tough to come upon and will likely be unknown for a long time. Abdul-Jabbar had averaged 17.5 points at age 39 but that still was a 20-point rate pro-rated to 36 minutes. This still doesn't change the fact that Michael Jordan and LeBron James won 2 Olympic gold medals. There are many reasons why Lebron can not be the better than Michael Jordan was. The debate rages on. The playoff statisticsmirror what Jordan and James produce during the regular season. Malone had 43 double-doubles while leading Utah to 55 victories, with no one else on the roster averaging more than 14.1 points. While both players are known for tenacious defense on the wing, Jordan finished first in the league in steals three times in his career. If Jordan got to his preferred spots, he could set up his trademark turnaround. Also read: LeBron James will be GOAT over Michael Jordan once he gets NBA's scoring record, says Chandler Parsons, Be the first one to comment on this story. Consider this: Had Kareem retired three years earlier, his career scoring average would have been 26.4, good for 8th all-time on the current list. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Turner Broadcasting. The question thats been roaming around the air for quite awhile now iswho was better at it? Percentage of total points scored from three-pointers, two-pointers and free throws for each season in LeBrons career. Prior to the James era, the consensus pretty Oh, andthe lazy narrative claiming James shrinksin big games his postseason lines are often more impressive than his regular-season performances. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Hickey took and missed six shots in a pair of back-to-back games, but he did manage to sink one free throw each night. The better player of the two is, Jordan. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Both players had long, high-scoring careers: Malone retired at 40, Abdul-Jabbar at 42. 5spot with 32,292. Their goal was to dominate you. As James grew into a tantalizing basketball prospect capable of jumping from high school to the NBA as the No. Its been historical. They are the most popular players of their time, maybe the most popular in history. was the lightning in a bottle for me, because I wanted to be like him.. He Six championships. We dont even think of any other stars in his era. Source: Getty Images. That was a special day for LeBron. waitingfornextyear.com interviewer Kyrie and he said Irving steps up in says that he will have two rings of his own before his career comes to the end.. WebEvery time Lebron wins a championship ring, he is compared to Jordan more. (That's a term of endearment.). With these and plenty other factors taken into consideration, LeBron James is the better overall player. One reason is because of Jordans NBA finals stats. Percentage of total points scored from three-pointers, two-pointers and free throws for each season in LeBrons career. Doncic was on his way in his second season, posting his largest average to date. The Lebron versus Kobe really got heated when Michael Jordan said he thinks Bryant is the better player due to his five championship, Although the stats do not lie, people still believe there is an argument to be made over who the greatest basketball player of all time is because of the number of championships won. WebGet the latest news, stats, videos, highlights and more about guard Michael Jordan on ESPN. Every time Lebron wins a championship ring, he is compared to Jordan more. Jordan would not lay down and die like LeBron would in the NBA finals and would find a way to win no matter the, Lebron and Kobe were and still the best NBA players of their era. Jordan has 38 career 40-point games in the playoffs and eight 50-point games (including his NBA playoff-record 63). At 40, his playing time was below 30 minutes nightly and he was getting up only 11.3 shots, about half what he averaged in his 20s. Armand Emamdjomeh makes data visualizations, maps and graphics. Knowing he is one of the best players in the world, he wants to make sure everyone else in the stands knows it by showing off his skills and being flashy. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. Stay up to date on the race for Kia NBA MVP with a look at the latest performances from the top candidates. The former dunker turned 3-point threat didnt average double-digits in any of his final six seasons. The top three point scorers of all time are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone and Kobe Bryant, respectively. When it comes to this debate, we'll let MJ and LeBron have the last word -- for now. Even though Lebron and Jordan are compared a lot, many people still think Jordan would beat LeBron head to, They are both the heart of their teams and they are the ones their teams build around bringing players in that will help them and the team win. (6:40). One of a kind. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. WebLeBron James seems to be ignoring the memo on Father Time's undefeated record. Many of the reasons why this decision can never be agreed on is because of many things. Jordans success in the finals and post-season was an amazing feat thatll probably never come close to being accomplished ever again (Zachmo Marsupalami.). pointers and free throws for the top five scorers in NBA history. The NBA has instituted numerous rules changes in the post-Jordan era aimed at increasing scoring, curbing physical play and encouraging freedom of movement. Rockets: Start time, where to watch, what's the latest, Nets vs. Knicks: Start time, where to watch, what's the latest, 76ers vs. Heat: Start time, where to watch, what's the latest, Cavaliers vs. Celtics: Start time, where to watch, what's the latest, Bulls vs. Pistons: Start time, where to watch, what's the latest, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Lead a team, and health was just a second thought statisticsmirror what Jordan and owner. What 's the latest news, stats, videos, highlights and more about the new face of NBA whatever! 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