When it comes to debates on whom the best basketball player to ever play the game is, two players always start and end that conversation. Michael Jordan and LeBron James are considered the best players of their respective time periods, but the real question is, who is the best of all time. If you were to ask a younger crowd they would most likely say LeBron but if you asked an older crowd they would most likely say Michael! I am going to use statistics through their first 9 seasons in the NBA, to prove who the greatest of all time is between Jordan and James.
In Jordan and James’ first 9 seasons in the NBA, they accomplished many things that have never been done before. They both broke records, shattered standards, and re-wrote history books. They were both iconic basketball players and social figures. They both had tons of people that loved the and tons of people that hate them. One thing that also brings them together is that they both started from the bottom not necessarily in the same ways though. LeBron was raised in a bad part of Akron with only his mother to raise him. James attended many different schools.
Regardless of all this, LeBron was always a superior and successful athlete at all levels. Jordan on the other hand went through controversy when it came to the basketball court. When in junior high, Jordans coach cut him from the team. Michael was always shorter than most of the other players and was not always the most physically dominate athlete on the court. Isaiah Thomas validates this point by talking about LeBron’s athleticism: “LeBron James is the best athlete of today, and he’s probably a better athlete than Michael Jordan was. He’s bigger, he’s faster, he’s stronger. ”
The Essay on LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan
During the 2007-2008 season, LeBron James averaged 30 points, 7 assists, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals per game. Throughout the 1986-1987 season Michael Jordan averaged 37 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 14 field goals per game. Although both James and Jordan are argued to be the most talented players of their generation, there are many differences that set them apart. For example, their experience ...
What could be the most important aspect in this comparison could be the statistics. Throughout his first 9 years, Jordan and James stats are hard to compare. Both Jordan and James have very different styles of play and they also play different positions. However, these statistics are not going to be the only factors taken in to consideration on who is the greatest of all time. Throughout their first 9 seasons (because LeBron James is currently in his 10th season in the NBA) Jordan’s points per game in the regular season was 32. 4 points per game, in the play offs it improved to 34. points per game and in the NBA finals series he averaged 36. 3 points per game. In LeBron’s first 9 seasons, he averaged 27. 6 points per game in the regular season, 28. 5 points per game in the playoffs and only 22. 5 points per game in the NBA finals series. Jordan obviously wins the scoring statistical category. When it comes to rebounds per game, LeBron wins that category, which is to be expected because of his superior stature to Michael Jordan. Being about 2 inches taller and weighing roughly 35 pounds more, LeBron is able to snatch more rebounds over his defender.
In his first 9 seasons, LeBron averages 7. 2 rebounds per game in the regular season, 8. 7 rebounds per game in the playoffs and 8. 1 rebounds per game in the NBA finals series. Michael Jordan averaged 6. 3 rebounds per game in the regular season, 6. 7 rebounds per game in the play offs and 6. 6 rebounds per game in the NBA finals series. The assist category is a hard one to say who would win because the numbers fluctuate. In his first 9 season LeBron averaged 6. 9, 6. 7, and 7 assists per game in the regular season, play offs, and NBA finals series respectively.
Michael Jordan averaged 5. 9, 6. 6, and 7. 9 assists per game in the regular season, play offs, and NBA finals series respectively. When it comes to steals and blocks per game, Michael Jordan wins those stat categories by a landslide. So when it comes to statistics, Michael Jordan is the winner on who is the greatest of all time. Now we will take a look at awards won through LeBron and Michael’s first 9 seasons. In his first 9 seasons, LeBron James won; 1, scoring title, 6 All-NBA first teams, 4 All-Defensive First Teams, 3 League MVPS, and 1 Finals MVPs.
The Essay on Michael Jordan Bulls Basketball Nba
For the Love of the Game: My Story By Michael Jordan For the Love of the Game is a very good book that puts Michael Jordan's words into a story about dedication and basketball. He talks about the tough times he had during his career and the many achievements he had with the Chicago Bulls. The book has very good information and reading it in Michael Jordan's words makes the entire book better. ...
Even though this long list of awards is truly impressive, Michael Jordan’s blows LeBron’s list out of the water. In his first 9 seasons in the NBA, Michael Jordan accomplished many things. His list of awards is par none to any one else in NBA history. Michael Jordan won; 7 scoring titles, 3 steal titles, was selected to 7 All-NBA first teams, 6 All-Defensive First teams, 1 defensive player of the year award, 3 league MVPs, and 3 Finals MVPs. Michael Jordan wins again when it comes to this category, Michael Jordan obviously won more individual awards in his first 9 seasons.
Other than stats and awards, Michael Jordan was the best finished of all time. He hit countless game winners and put on spectacular performances when his team needed them the most. He has hit game winning shots to win NBA championships and has also made a number of game clinching or winning plays other than just scoring. LeBron James on the other hand, is notorious for choking when the pressure hits. His 4th quarter points are much lower than any other quarter and he has hit much fewer game winners than MJ. Also, when it comes to the NBA finals, LeBron James performed much under par than his normal regular season games.
In his few finals appearances, his scoring points per game is significantly lower. This wouldn’t be a problem if his performance helped his team succeed, however, in his first NBA finals appearance, the Cavaliers were swept by the Spurs, leaving a young LeBron James to blame due to his very poor and below average performance than what was expected out of him in the NBA playoffs. James let his team, his city and all of his fans down with this performance when you will never hear such a thing from Michael Jordan.
While the stats and awards may lead you to point to Michael Jordan as the greatest of all time, Scottie Pippen (former teammate of Michael Jordan) seems to think otherwise. Here is what he said: “Michael Jordan is probably the greatest scorer to ever play in the game, but I may go as far as to say that LeBron James may be the greatest player to ever play the game because he’s so potent offensively that not only can he score at will, but he keeps everybody involved and you have to be on your P’s and Q’s on defense because no guy on the basketball court is not a threat to score when LeBron James is out there. This is a great point coming from one of the MJ’s greatest teammates. James is physically unstoppable and he has a knack for making all of his teammates better. When it all comes down to it, if you ask any athlete what their ultimate goal is while playing a team sport, they would say to win a championship. This is something that MJ has definitely done but James could be on his way too. However, through 9 seasons, LeBron has only one won championship while being in the NBA finals 2 times. Michael Jordan on the other hand, lead his team to 3 straight NBA championships in his first 9 seasons.
The Essay on Michael Jordan Nba Basketball Game
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is the son of Deloris and James Jordan. He has three siblings, Ronald James, Deloris, and Larry. Mike was born on February 17 th, 1963 in Brooklyn Hospital. He grew up in North Carolina. Before basketball Mike enjoyed playing the game of baseball. I chose him because I knew little about him, like he played with the Chicago Bulls and he got married and had a son. Before I ...
Michael Jordan has never lost an NBA finals series when he has appeared in one. He has won 6 total NBA championships and it will be interesting to see if LeBron can get anywhere near that number before its all over for him. But for comparison terms, Michael Jordan wins the “winner” category for having 2 more championships through his first 9 seasons than LeBron has. As you look through comparisons of stats, awards, leadership, and winning, you start to see a lot of parity between the 2 players that are considered to be the greatest of all time.
Even though it is close, Michael Jordan clearly comes out on top by winning most of the categories used to compare them. Michael’s combination of winning, superior stats, leadership, and awards won allows his legacy to still be alive today. Michael Jordan is obviously the greatest of all time right now, but it will be interesting to see how close “The Chosen One” gets or even if he passes “His Airness” up.
