All the talk and recent comparison of LeBron to MJ is getting old. I understand why, he is the reigning MVP, and brands spend a lot marketing him. He plays for the champs (might be not be for long) and Lebron is an electric player. I agree, he is a freak. Lebron is built like an NFL defensive end, can break out like a Wide Receiver, and has mad skills. However, he is not MJ. They don't even play the same position. Lebron is more like Magic Johnson, a really big ball handler who can do it all. And they way they went about winning is so drastically different. Lebron went to a team that had a superstar and recruited another guy to join them (Bosh). Jordan stayed patient and fought through some hard fought series with the Pistons to reach the Finals. Jordan is a builder, Lebron is an opportunist. Jordan did not go around meeting with other teams. The day he got drafted by the Bulls, he was committed to win in Chicago. He trusted that the team will surround him with players that complimented him.
Jordan is so much better than Lebron, it's not even close. In his first 10 yrs in the league, Jordan won 3 championships. Lebron has won 1 championship. Jordan was 6-0 in the NBA finals, Lebron is 1-2. And MJ did it with only 1 true All-Star, Scottie Pippen. He did not have another superstar near him. Lebron has Wade who used to be a beast and already had a ring prior. And they added Bosh as Riley basically bought a team. Jordan had Luc Longley as one his centers and won 3 championships with him. Do we need to say more?
If Jordan was in Lebron's shoes, he would not have allowed his team to lose game 1 to the Spurs. MJ would have found a way to take it over. Everyone was raving about Lebron's triple double which is definitely impressive. However, he only had 18 points though. Why did Lebron drive and then dish to Bosh (who missed the 3) when the game was on the line? Jordan would have gone to the hole and had an and 1 or gone to the line. With the game on the line, Jordan would have willed his team. If you want proof, watch the highlights of MJ's last game as a Bull.
In addition, the rules are much different now. The refs are more whistle happy and when you get near a player, they call a foul. There was no hand check rule in MJ's playing day. Do you remember how those rough Pistons would play the Bulls? It was nothing like the NBA today. There were hard fouls, hand checking was legal, and real hard nose D. Even Foreign relations expert Rodman today said MJ would average 40 in today's NBA:
I don't agree with Rodman that Lebron would have been average, I think he would still be an All Star if he played in the 90s. He is very skilled, and is super athletic. Today, the NBA is more of a finesse game.
So until Lebron wins 5 more NBA titles and really takes over games, then we can have that discussion. There is only one King. Hail, Air Jordan.
Couldn't agree more. Hands down the GOAT, maybe even ever.
ReplyDeleteIf only to give credit where I believe credit is due, you have essentially reinforced what Skip Bayless has been saying for 11 years.