Member-only story
Settling the LeBron Versus Michael Debate
LeBron’s off-the-court heroism is unparalleled
Basketball enthusiasts have debated who the best NBA player of all time is for years now.
Michael Jordan fans point to the fact that MJ never lost an NBA championship and never even needed a game seven to win. Jordan was 6–0 in NBA finals. LeBron James is 4–6. Jordan was named league MVP six times. Finals MVP six times. All-Defensive first team nine times to LeBron’s five, in fewer years.
Plus, Jordan won 10 scoring titles to LeBron’s one. Jordan was the NBA steal leader in three seasons. LeBron’s record never comes close. Michael’s best season was 37.1 points per game — something LeBron has never touched.
Then of course there’s the intangible for those of us who’ve seen both men play. There was just something about Michael Jordan that fans know can’t ever be matched. He was magical. Watching MJ stay airborne while defenders jumped up and landed was something out of a superhero movie. Michael really could fly.
LeBron supporters counter that LeBron outscored Jordan by over 5,000 points, and he’s still going. They point out that LeBron has out rebounded MJ by nearly 4,000 boards, and he’s still adding to his totals. Assist-wise, LeBron’s stats shatter Jordan’s. Almost double.
