LeBron James vs Michael Jordan

Do you think LeBron will ever pass Michael Jordan as the GOAT (greatest of all time)? I personally think LeBron will pass MJ at the end of his career, he's playing at a VERY high level, he already has 3 MVPs, and has won a championship younger than when MJ did (he also had 3 finals appearances). So, I'd like to hear your opinions (support your statements with facts if you can).

 

The number of championships you win or the number of rings a player has doesnt necessarily determine the player's greatness. Will LeBron will ever pass Michael Jordan as the GOAT? Probably. But MJ will still be be the best and greatest NBA player of all time.

Also, its kinda impossible to compare MJ to modern-day players such as Kobe and Lebron because the game has changed SO much since then.

 

He may be better on paper, but I don't think he will get to be as renowned as MJ was. At least not for another couple of decades when the next generation grows up watching Lebron

 

Yes, but it certainly is a factor. I mean, you can't beat every team in your conference, and be hailed the MVP of the finals after you've beat the best team in the other conference without being pretty awesome at basketball. Also, I don't know what you mean, you say LeBron will probably pass Michael as the GOAT, but Michael will still be the greatest?

That's true to some extent, but before MJ, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was who I'd assume would be referenced to as the GOAT, but he played in a different era. But, Jordan eventually surpassed KAJ and became the GOAT. There will be a time where Jordan will be dethorned, could that be LeBron, possibly. But, as the game changes, the GOAT will probably change as you go along, as well. You can't expect Wayne Gretzky and Pele to be forever on the top now, do you. But, I'd assume a lot of things would be taken into consideration; is the game harder/easier now, level of competition, etc.

Doesn't that mean he'll be better though? If he has better stats, I'd assume he'd have a better career than Jordan, and become as renowned as him.

 

Cant really compare at this point of his career at the end of his career maybe, dont really think anyone will admit it maybe til james wins 5-6 more rings and retires.

 

I found an interesting article that relates to this thread on ESPN, which I think you guys might like.


http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2011/insider/news/story?id=6628686

 

LeBron will never compare to Jordan, sorry.
It is a nice thought, but Jordan was just to good lol. Also, for the reasons Alma posted.

 

Here's the full comparison for any of you interested: http://i.imgur.com/4G1oc.jpg

Don't be too sure, I wouldn't be surprised if people have said that for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Besides, LeBron is playing at an unbelievable high level right now, I believe he can reach Jordan's level. In the article, Jordan only won by 1.5 points, it's not that much of a stretch to say LeBron can improve his very few weaknesses, and become the GOAT at the end of his career.

 

Any other opinions on this?

 

Lebron may pass Jordans stats wise but im pretty sure he will still continue to be hated on by many people especially the people from cleveland. Jordan stayed with the Bulls throughout his NBA career (except for the Wizards but that isnt very significant).

Too be honest, the closest person to reach Jordan status is Kobe Bryant.

 

Isn't passing Jordan's stats/accomplishments a major factor in becoming the GOAT? Also, he's only hated by people from Cleveland, and people who don't know the whole story. Cleveland was a terrible team, regardless of them being a high seed, LeBron James basically did everything. He has single-handedly took the team the ECFs and the finals before. He was beat by teams that had more than one good player, Cleveland didn't give him a great supporting cast that he needed for the finals. After LeBron left, the team fell from being the top seed to becoming the one of the worst teams in the league. So, it's not LeBron's fault he didn't have a good supporting cast, it's Cleveland's management. Also, LeBron James gave them the best years of his life he'll never get back, they should be grateful. Besides, Michael Jordan had one of the best teams in the league, do you think he would have gotten there with a weak team like Cleveland? I doubt it. Also, he has the greatest defender of all time with him, Scottie Pippen, I honestly doubt he would win as much championships if he didn't have people like Rodman, and especially Pippen.

Also, Kobe is not close to Jordan. He shot at 43% last year, and he's becoming inconsistent, I'll go more into this if you'd like, but Kobe was a shell of his former self, he's still a good player, but he's no Michael Jordan.

 

Not really much point discussing this now because lebron is still playing and jordan has retired, But i do believe Lebron has the potential to be the best ever but until lebron retires its too hard to call after all we're comparing him to MJ, Personally i can see Durant being the best ever to play the game aswell but he needs to work on his defence in the paint because it showed in the finals when he could'nt contain Lebron.

 

I chose that he never will surpass Jordan. Michael Jordan is probably the greatest athlete of all time and will probably stay that way. However, that's just my opinion as only time will tell. But right now, Lebron is not nearly as good, but there is no saying that he can't imrpove.

 

I know, but I'm just saying if you think LeBron can surpass Jordan or not.

I wouldn't say that, if you look the ESPN articles, there is only subtle differences between the two. LeBron James achieved more than when Michael Jordan was his age, and got a championship when he was younger, as well. If LeBron can improve from his already high level, I think he can surpass Jordan.

 

He will never pass him, i'm sure of!

 

The impact Michael Jordan had on the sport can never be repeated again. Because of him, everyone would talk about basketball during the 80's and 90's. Even the naive knew who Michael Jordan was. And this was because he dominated. People knew he was many levels ahead of the other players, even more than what his stats would show. Just watching him, the way he handles the ball, the way he makes crucial shots without a hint of nervousness, his signature tongue sticking out, etc. all coalesce to form the star we know as Michael Jordan. Things like these aren't recorded in his player stats. LeBron James appears serious while he plays - Michael Jordan, almost as if he was having fun. As if it was too easy for him.

 

Comparing LeBron to Jordan is like comparing Brady to Montana or Sanders to Sayers or Pujols to Foxx......

Its useless. Different Era, different rules, different supporting cast.


LeBron simply isn't Jordan, and can't be compared to him YET because what Jordan has done is on record - it happened. It hasn't happened for LeBron yet.

 

I wouldn't say it will never be repeated again. Even though it wasn't as much as Jordan impacted the game, Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russel did impact the game immensely. And, I think players in our decade like Kobe Bryant, Yao Ming, Shaquille O'Neal, etc. have affected the game greatly, too. I personally think that LeBron can have the "Jordan effect" on the upcoming generation. The thing is, LeBron James is incredibly gifted at this game, too. When he lost the 2011 finals, he stated that he was playing with anger which caused him to lose. In the 2012 finals, which he won, he said he was back to enjoying the game of basketball, and having fun with it. You should have seen him in Game 6 of the ECFs, he scored 30 points in the first half, and he was just cold-blooded. His team was in the brink of elimination, and LeBron just dominated. LeBron James is the best player in the world right now, and I'm pretty sure he knows it, and I truly believe he can become the GOAT at the end of his career.

I didn't want this thread to be strictly comparison, I just wanted to know whether or not people think LeBron can pass Michael Jordan and become the GOAT, because I think he can.

Also, it's not completely useless, we can analyze the eras. How else could someone else become the GOAT? Kareem Abdul-Jabbar would still be it, than. I know I said I didn't want to compare, but I would like to state a few things; I think it's harder to play basketball in this era (competitors, etc.), and Jordan has the best supporting cast a person could have. Regardless of Michael being a better scorer, he is NOT a better all-around player like LeBron.