Has not lost in his era. In the comments section. 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. James has not yet claimed a steals title. -- Zach Lowe. Bill Russel, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Julius Dr. He challenged himself to score eight points each quarter so that he could get to 32 for the night. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. The two are very arrogant and think very highly of themselves. This tells us that Jordan played better, when the stage was the biggest. I dont know how you can choose one or the other., According to Jordans former opponents, his trademark relentlessness fostered a constant paranoia. The harsh debate has gone on ever since Lebrons rookie season in 2004 when people started comparing him to Jordan. 1 overall in 2003. The Cavs had a 2-1 lead on the Warriors and the series was heading into Cleveland. It was destined to be that way ever since James was crowned The Chosen One in high school, and his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers drafted him No. Most people know that Lebron James and Stephen Curry play in a dissimilar position, style of playing, careers and so on. Keep scrolling to see how long it could take James to catch up to their records. Of course, losing those seasons would have cost him 3,279 points off his total of 38,387. Despite James' increased usage and efficiency from beyond the arc over the course of his career, it's worth noting that he shoots about thesame percentage as Jordan from 3-point range. Stathead: Baseball's Most Powerful Search Tool, Stathead: Basketball's Most Powerful Research Tool, Stathead: Football's Most Powerful Research Tool, Stathead: Hockey's Most Powerful Research Tool, Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. BPM, VORP, handedness not available for WNBA. [Jordan] is somebody I looked up to and always believed was the greatest. Kendrick Perkins ranks LeBron James as No. Find out more. These two players were very similar in many ways. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. 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. Over 14 games, James is averaging 34.7 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.3 Well never know where Jordans totals would have ended up if not for a pair of early retirements (missing nearly two full seasons when he walked away the first time at age 30). Bryant is followed by Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki (12.0PPG) and fellow Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (10.1PPG). Only 14 players have finished an NBA season at age 18 (or qualified by Basketball References standards). Both players do not care about who is going to be new faces of NBA or whatever. LeBron has put up some unheard of and unthinkable numbers, while leading a team in 2007 to the National Basketball Association finals that had no other star players on the roster. James is the NBA's all-time scoring leader, but Jordan hit major scoring milestones well ahead of James throughout his career. Curry posted the highest scoring season of his career the year after his hand injury limited him to five appearances in 2019-20. And here's the big one. This comparison is very important in today's sports, with many people joining the debate. The Emmy Award-winning 10-part documentary is now available on Blu-ray for a limited time. Six championships. However, Jordan was not only a basketball player, but someone who influenced the American culture and society. One of the reasons why Lebron can not be said to be better than Jordan is because of how many championships Michael has won compared to Lebron. 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. 2 scorer (Paul George, 28.0) was greater than from George to No. NEW: Sample Searches for learning more about the power and flexibility of Stathead. That site uses Jan. 31 as the cutoff date to classify a players age. But it doesn't matter what we say. So if youre a stickler for details or a completist, wed wrap this up with 45: Nat Hickey, 1947-48, 1.0 ppg. The Los Angeles Lakers forward entered the game against the Denver Nuggets needing only 13 points to top Jordans career total of 32,292. Any time Im mentioned with one of the greats, if not the greatest that ever played this game, its crazy to me, James said at All-Star Weekend in Charlotte last month. Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, Fountain Valley collision leaves one driver dead, another hospitalized, OC sheriffs deputies foil attempted jail escape, SoCalGas unveils $10 million to help customers hit by high prices, Thousands in Southern California are expected to lose out on Medi-Cal after April, Status Update: Life Time country club gym opening in Irvine, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes defeat, Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, As many as 700,000 Illinois residents could lose Medicaid health coverage this year, Balloon ban made official in Laguna Beach, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Both LeBron and MJ won Rookie of the Year for their respective teams. What about LeBron James? Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, and Dwyane Wade are among the current crop of players who have copied Jordans style, and they have to thank him because of the enormous popularity that he has brought to the game. So Karl Malone would have caught and passed him in 2003 before LeBron and reigned as the NBAs all-time points leader for 19 years until March 19 in Washington, when James would have taken over by reaching 36,929. He was also named finals MVP all six times. Against Jordan, Smith was expected to freelance off his man at a moments notice to provide help. Last, the most significant difference in these two athletes is their game attitude. Considering James' elite scoring production at age 37, we examine the NBA's all-time highest scorers by age. As always, he was a physical specimen, but he was a far cry from his prime when he averaged 18.2 points and 12.9 rebounds from 1992 through 1995 for Atlanta and Miami. Michael Jordan and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf recount a funny conversation when discussing his recovery from a foot injury. The Warriors dominated the series, winning four games to two. For James believers, his 10 Finals appearances are emblematic of LeBron's longer record of accomplishment. 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 silhouette. They are the most popular players of their time, maybe the most popular in history. LeBron James and Stephen Curry have put up ageless scoring numbers. LeBron does not have the dominance of Michael Jordan. One of a kind. 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? That edges out Carmelo Anthonys 21.0 and LeBrons 20.9, both in their 2003-04 rookie seasons. He just punished you.. Both players do not care about who is going to be new faces of NBA or whatever. How LeBron can top Jordan for GOAT status. He played both ends at the highest level, Christie said. However, Jordan was not only a basketball player, but someone who influenced the American culture and society. But he did average 6.5 points in 18.1 minutes in that span of 393 games. 1, but plenty of other performers are staying in the mix as the Kia MVP discussion nears the finish line. However, LeBron James is still averaging around three times more points than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did in his 20th and final season. LeBron does not have the dominance of Michael Jordan. Your default site has been set for 7 days, Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James: The key stats you need to know in the GOAT debate, The Sporting News' Bill Benderhas a helpful guide. When NFL quarterback Peyton Manning suited up for Denver as a 37-year-old in 2013, he put up the biggest numbers of his career: 5,477 passing yards and 55 touchdowns. The question thats been roaming around the air for quite awhile now iswho was better at it? Then, Id have him give it to Jordan and let Jordan go to work.. Both players had long, high-scoring careers: Malone retired at 40, Abdul-Jabbar at 42. They've dominated the NBA discourse for the better part of four decades, ranking first and second in playoff points scored (LeBron over MJ) and Finals MVPs (MJ over LeBron). Only Malone and LeBron James have averaged 25 points or more at age 36 or older, as thresholds go. MP and PER since 1951-52. Jordan carried the Bulls on his back and won a NBA championship, something LeBron James has not done. This still doesn't change the fact that Michael Jordan and LeBron James won 2 Olympic gold medals. 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. They are both are Hall of Famers, with a combined eight championship rings together and counting. Nearly a third of Hardens points this season (10.2) came from the foul line, his career-high on freebies. Not only does he help the team with his scoring, but he seems to make everyone around him perform better with his playmaking ability. was the lightning in a bottle for me, because I wanted to be like him.. Data runs from 1946-47 to present 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? TheESPN documentary series "The Last Dance" showed a younger generation of NBA fans that Michael Jordan is much more than a guy who sells retro sneakers. Could 45,000 be in play? Some stats were available earlier in the ABA. After NBA legend Isiah Thomas says he'd take LeBron James over Michael Jordan, the SportsNation crew weighs in on the classic debate. There are so many more mountains to conquer. They are quick to show people that they are the best on the court. There are many reasons why Lebron can not be the better than Michael Jordan was. They do not believe that anyone is better than them. Photo: KevinMazur. The harsh debate has gone on ever since Lebrons rookie season in 2004 when people started comparing him to Jordan. All rights reserved. WebEvery time Lebron wins a championship ring, he is compared to Jordan more. So with apologies to legendary boxer Muhammad Ali -- who claimed "greatest" status for himself and popularized the acronym -- here is everything you need to know about who might be the NBA's GOAT. One endless debate. 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. A current Cleveland-Cavalier, Lebron James has helped shaped the game on and off the court. site for a tweet, an article, or for research for a He only been in the NBA for three years so he still have some time to get better and improve his team. pointers and free throws for the top five scorers in NBA history. Pretty much. 32. Do legends such as Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar have a stronger case than Michael Jordan? Also: As great a scorer as Bryant was, he never set an age-based standard again. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Turner Broadcasting. 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. Jordan had the drive and edge over his opponents to win games. Percentage of total points scored from three-pointers, two-pointers and free throws for each season in LeBrons career. In response to Jordan and James, frustrated opposing coaches resorted to unconventional tactics. Jamess all-around playmaking polish led Christie to throw out prepared scouting reports, focusing instead on keeping a running checklist of Jamess shots. They have both made the most impact for their respective teams, they have also made rookie of the year their first years. The underappreciated forward ranks 23rd in career points, ahead of West, Iverson, Dwyane Wade, Larry Bird and, well, all but 22 guys. Finally, we will look at NBA championships and Finals MVPs. Michael Jordan is still considered the greatest basketball player of all time. If James missed from a particular spot early on, Christie would try to steer him back there as the game unfolded. The 13-time All-Star, who was dealt to Phoenix on Feb. 9, has not played in a game since Jan. 8 when he was with the Nets. Whether it was through basketball or his own brand, Jordan was making everyone want to be like Mike. Karl Malone averaged 23.2 points at that age and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar went for 22.0, and they were two of the most prolific graybeards in the games history. They are known to have said hurtful things and bully teammates. Jordans influence was one that had never been seen before. For most of our panel, Michael is still the man; but that doesn't mean the argument is entirely one-sided, nor is the opinion unanimous. For his efforts there, Jordan received the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. WebLeBron James seems to be ignoring the memo on Father Time's undefeated record. By: HoopsHype, LeBron James Nike 2022-23 Swingman Jersey, As he should, I think arguably the greatest player of all time, So when I say that LeBron is the greatest player that ever played, I believe that is something that he grew into, I cant argue with the fact that you think he is the GOAT but in my eyes I say LeBron, In my mind, hes the greatest player of all time, I think (passing Kareem) puts him at the top of the list, Pelicans vs. Blazers: Start time, where to watch, what's the latest, Magic vs. This translated in outlawing defensive contact when a player is in the perimeter, which in turn allowed players to relentlessly attack the lane and score on spectacular layups or dunks in a manner similar to what Jordan popularized. There is also the fact that the NBA is different now compared to the NBA that Jordan played in. Jordan would challenge Johnson to endless free throw contests and games of H-O-R-S-E when they were teammates on USA Basketballs 1992 Dream Team. He averaged 31.2 points in a career-high 42 minutes nightly. At his current scoring pace, he should pass Bryant, another Lakers legend, during the 2019-20 season if he maintains good health. As James grew into a tantalizing basketball prospect capable of jumping from high school to the NBA as the No. Through the age of 31, LeBron James has accomplished more than Michael Jordan did through his 19 year career. 23 years ago today, KOBE BRYANT vs MICHAEL JORDAN at the 1998 #NBAAllStar Game! Most famously, the Detroit Pistons pioneered the brutish Jordan Rules in the late 1980s, pushing Jordan to his left, double-teaming him aggressively and fouling him hard whenever he went to the basket. Id let LeBron take it out of bounds and bring it up, Davis quipped. But he was so good at taking your heart away., Against James, though, he often trapped immediately so that he wouldnt get caught in no mans land. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Armand Emamdjomeh makes data visualizations, maps and graphics. From there, James would have to play several more seasons to score the more than 3,000 points it would take to get within striking distance of Malone and Abdul-Jabbar. Michael with no doubt left the NBA as one of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball. No one ever broke it down to that type of science., Guarding James represented a different challenge because, at 6-foot-8 and 270 pounds, he was taller and heavier than Jordan, who was listed at 6-6 and 218 pounds, his target weight toward the end of his career. So it looks like James could end up blowing Abdul-Jabbar's all-time scoring record out of the water when its all said and done. I wouldnt change LeBrons approach at all.. LeBron is probably going to pass Kareem and we dont even think of him as a scorer, said Sacramento Kings color commentator Doug Christie, who defended James during his 2003 pro debut. 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Emmy Award-winning 10-part documentary is now available on Blu-ray for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 8pm... About who is going to be new faces of NBA or whatever Anthonys 21.0 and Lebrons,! And Stephen Curry play in a career-high 42 minutes nightly players have finished an NBA season at age 37 we! James could end up blowing Abdul-Jabbar 's all-time highest scorers by age of! One of the water when its all said and done quite awhile now iswho better! Age-Based standard again particular spot early on, Christie said on ever since Lebrons rookie season 2004. Nuggets needing only 13 points to top Jordans career total of 32,292 with No left... Career total of 38,387 James to catch up to their records: Searches... Was the biggest much better lebron james vs michael jordan stats at age 34 Jan. 31 as the cutoff date to classify a players.! Change the fact that Michael Jordan and let Jordan go to work better than Michael was... 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