Greatest Of All Time = G.O.A.T. But is it Jordan or Lebron? Now that a few weeks have gone by since the NBA Finals ended, I want to revisit the discussion on who is the best player of all time. Most people have Jordan and Lebron as the top two choices. Before I give my opinion, let's look at some numbers.
Championships: Jordan has won 6 rings and has never lost in an NBA Finals. The 6-0 record is amazing. And I often wonder what would have happened if he had not left the NBA in the PRIME of his career to chase his baseball dreams. Would the Bulls have won 8 straight championships? It's a shame that we will never know.
Lebron is now 3-5 in the NBA Finals. It is extremely impressive that Lebron has reached 8 Finals in his career that is still in full swing. I expect him to make several more Finals before he retires. Lebron is no where near close to retirement and with the weakness of the Eastern Conference, I don't see anyone challenging him next year. Three rings is pretty impressive for any player, but the 5 losses are also stunning. If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best and thus far, Lebron has fallen short more often than not. But there is plenty of time for him to reverse these numbers in the Finals.
Offense: Jordan led the NBA in scoring 10 times. In fact, he led the NBA in scoring for the entirety of his prime. His highest average was in 1986-87 with 37.1 points per game. And the NBA was much more physical then it is now. The Bad Boys in Detroit, the 90's Knicks and Heat, would beat the hell out of MJ every chance they could. The days of handchecking and hard fouls are gone and the days of flopping are here.
Lebron's numbers aren't even close in this category. He did lead the NBA in scoring, but only one time. His career year yielded 31.4 points a game. Jordan beat that number 6 times. And when it comes to big point totals, Jordan has 39 career point games compared to Lebron only having 10. Their career averages are pretty close though with Jordan at 30.1 and Lebron at 27.1 points per game.
Rebounds and Assists: Lebron wins both of these categories over Jordan. Lebron averages one more rebound per game than Jordan. Lebron averages 7.0 assists to Jordan's 5.3 and when it comes to triple doubles, it's not even close. Lebron has had 72 and Jordan has only had 30. I expect Lebron to fly past 100 before he retires.
Defense: Jordan has 1 Defensive Player of the Year award to Lenron's zero. But they are both two of the best defensive players of all time. They are lock down defenders that when their teams need to shut someone down, they are ready. This also plays into intensity and Jordan is unmatched in this category. No one played harder and pushed at 100% for every possession. That is one area that Lebron deserves criticism for. He will take passions off and just glide through parts of games. If he played with Jordan's intensity, his numbers and accomplishments would be even more impressive.
MVP's: Jordan has 5 to Lebron's 4 but that number is sure to change for Lebron. Honestly, MJ should have won the award every season he played, as should Lebron.
So who do I think the G.O.A.T. is? In my mind it's an easy choice. MICHAEL JORDAN. I will admit that I grew up in Chicago in the 80's and have seen almost every game he played as I am a huge Bulls fan. For me it comes down to championships. 6-0 vs 3-5 isn't even close. Jordan was the best competitor the world of sports has ever seen. His game evolved as he got older. Checkout the highlights from a the 80's and he is dunking on EVERYONE. But as he got older, he created the most devastating and unblockable fade away jump shot ever. Kobe Bryant did a good job of learning this move, based off of Jordan's. Lebron is GREAT and will continue to be for several more years. But unless he rips off 4-0 in the NBA Finals over the next 4 years, I think this discussion is over.
Tell me what you think! Am I right or wrong? Cheers!
In my opinion LBJ is better because of his longevity. He's going to have the record for a lot of total stats by the time his career is done. I can also see him playing into his early 40s since his body is built to last. The only edge MJ as is he was simply a better closer. No one will ever go 6-0 in the finals again. But that doesn't make you the GOAT that makes you the GOAT closer.
Lebron James will never be as good as Mike.
Longevity and accumulated stats are there because of the years he played, everyone will know that. He has a much worse record in Finals. On a year to year basis he does not have much competition in the East.
Why do you think he never wants to go to the West ? He would not make the finals there ... lol And his 8 year streak would be over before it began if he was in the West.
MJ had beaten 20 over 50 win teams in Playoffs and Lebron only 11. Check for yourself.
MJ scoring titles, always defended best player LBJ mostly switches off.
MJ 3 times defensive player LBJ ?
MJ steals leader, LBJ ?
Where are those stats you were talking about ?
You are wrong. LBJ is the G.O.A.T.
Thanks for reading. Tell why LBJ is better?
In my opinion, LeBron is the most physically talented player the game has ever seen. He's blessed with physical skills that no one else really possesses. I think that MJ mastered his craft more and his killer instinct really set him apart and is something I personally don't see in LeBron. I 100% agree with the championship argument as well.
Bron better learn to shoot free throws so he doesn't freeze up in the fourth.
Amen!
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I personally think MJ's the greatest of all time! It wouldn't be fair for LeBron to compare him with a breed like MJ though in my opinion. His game is more so Magic Johnson, a pass first big that can shoot, change the game with his court vision and IQ.
My personal criteria for GOAT is championships, winning and changing the game. I think Steph Curry is going to be greatly remembered (as will the Golden State Warriors) not only for their current run, but how they changed the game! Big men are no long irrelevant it seems! Mike changed the way basketball was perceived in the 80s, and LeBron and company are continuing this legacy! I think LeBron's a better ambassador off the court, but if we talking Game 7 of the Finals for all the marbles, gimme MJ!
Can't really compare these two as they played in different generations of the game. The game has evolved into a softer more stringent league. How many refs back in the day gave MJ the benefit of a call compared to how LBJ gets the same benefits. It seems similar but its not.
We've even had refs busted for gambling back then and I'm 100% sure there are more of them, that haven't gotten caught.
LeBron is the most athletic player I've ever seen.
MJ is the most clutch player I've ever seen.
I'm blessed to be old enough to watch them both from start to finish.
Not sure if that's a good thing since it makes me feel old =D
These are arguably the two best players of all time but you gotta add Kareem into this for sure!!!
I won't elaborate about championships b/c then you gotta put Kobe and even Kareem into this discussion...
The triangle offense with Pippen & Jordan was very, very hard for the Jazz to deal with back in the day. The West had very little strength then to compete with MJ's Bulls.
The East has very little strength to compete with Lebron's Cavs.
However, the WEST is more dominant overall nowadays.
Very hard to say who's better here considering the generational gap and changes of the game itself.
Congratulations for your post! I am an NBA fan as well so i always read posts about it and its great to see that here on Steemit we have people who loves the game. Now about your blog i have one thing that i would like to tell you. There is no question that both of them are amazing players but i don't think is fair to compare two players like this.. why!! Well because Lebron is still playing while Jordan is as we all know retierd. From my point of view Lebron can play at least 5 more seasons (at least) and can will in all of them one ring.. at least 5 more seasons that can improve his stats and so on. I know there been comparations between them since the begining but the best way to do it is once Lebron retire as well! What do you think?
I agree MJ is the G.O.A.T, but this isn't because of the finals stats..
Look at the opponents and compare the (possible) hall of famers.
MJ's opponents: 6
James: 26
What makes the difference is i think the absolute passion to win.. (Mamba mentality :)
James hasn't shown that often, one example is game 6 2012 ecf, when the game started I knew, this was done.
He wasn't joking around, no emotions, a 1 man force.
If u compare this to MJ, he had this will every game he played in and that makes him the G.O.A.T i think.
Are we allowed to pick anybody else? or do we have to settle on these two?
"Jordan has won 6 rings and has never lost in an NBA Finals."
How is this even a question. MJ > LBJ
Come on man you can't be serious :D Micheal is the Boss :)
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