06/06/2023
Lebron James or Michael Jordan? It's a longstanding debate with some subjectivity involved, but here's my take:
Jordan was 6-foot-6 and barely 200 pounds in his prime. Lebron is built like an NFL tight end at roughly 6-foot-8 and 240 pounds. Yet, Jordan averaged more points and played better defense under a ruleset far more brutal than the current era of NBA basketball. During Jordan's era, guys like Charles Oakley and Bill Laimbeer would routinely clothesline people in the paint with nary a whistle from the referees. These days, the refs call fouls on the slightest contact.
While both players have similar field goal percentages, Jordan played away from the basket with his patented fadeaway while Lebron continues to steamroll to the basket almost at will because of his size and strength. That ability alone sets Jordan apart from Lebron in terms of skill.
Another crucial difference is that Jordan was automatic from the free throw line. Lebron is not. Jordan was clutch and savored the big moments on the court. Lebron has had a reputation for passing on big shots. With the game on the line, I'll take Jordan over Lebron any day of the week.
Most importantly, Jordan possessed a killer instinct that remains unrivaled to this very day. He willed his teams to championships by elevating his teammates' level of play as well. Aside from Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman later, Jordan was not surrounded by the talent that Lebron has had on his title runs.