These two players were very similar in many ways. Drafted by the Chicago Bulls, he helped the team make it to the playoffs. There are many reasons why Lebron can not be the better than Michael Jordan was. was the lightning in a bottle for me, because I wanted to be like him.. James' recent scoring run has brought his season averages up to 30.2PPG, 8.5RPG and 7.1APG on 50.5% shooting. Stay up to date on the race for Kia NBA MVP with a look at the latest performances from the top candidates. 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. Data Provided By WebPlayer Comparison: LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan. LeBron did win two Finals with the Miami Heat and one with his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers, but he has not been able to deliver in his other Finals appearances. 1 draft pick, he studied, imitated and drew profound inspiration from Jordans tongue-wagging dunks, that fadeaway jumper, his competitive fire even the little details of the way Jordan wore his sneakers and shorts. But within the confines of the NBA, where 37 can feel like dog years to many players, James 2021-22 individual season hasnt just been remarkable. He challenged himself to score eight points each quarter so that he could get to 32 for the night. When thinking of greatness in the realm of basketball, these two definitely come to mind. Given the title Air-Jordan, winning dunk competitions, and bring joy to many fans watching his hunger for winning. Per 36 minutes this season, his 15.2 scoring wasnt much off his 19.4 pro-rated rate nine years earlier. Like James, Bryant missed very little time to injury until the end of his career, even playing with a fractured finger for most of a season. These debates rage on endlessly in every corner of NBA fandom, and our experts have done their best to answer them, ranking the greatest players in the league's 74-year history. You can e-mail himhere, findhis archive hereandfollow him on Twitter. Most people say Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan is the greatest player in the National Basketball Association (N.B.A) but who is better, Majority of people would say Kobe Bryant is a better player than Michael Jordan. LeBron James and Stephen Curry have put up ageless scoring numbers. And he was 2-of-8 on 3-pointers for the season. Second to the Dippers bar-setter, Michael Jordan averaged 35.0 points in 1987-88. pointers and free throws for the top five scorers in NBA history. As James grew into a tantalizing basketball prospect capable of jumping from high school to the NBA as the No. The better player of the two is, Jordan. They are verbally aggressive and threaten people as they play. "I can relate to the players and we can talk about music, shoes and movies because we are similar in ages," said the Timberwolves coach, whose roster has three players older than him. OK, so Willis appeared in five games for Dallas after a full season away from the NBA. Like Jordan, whom Johnson said displayed a maniacal work ethic during Dream Team workouts and practices, James has fully committed to his craft, spending an estimated $1.5 million per year to maintain his body. However, Jordan has been much more loved by the fans than LeBron. Then, Id have him give it to Jordan and let Jordan go to work.. We dont even think of any other stars in his era. In 2001, Randy (Big Unit) Johnson at age 37 struck out a career-high 372 batters, went 21-6 for the Arizona Diamondbacks and earned the fourth of his five Cy Young Awards. Age: 59 years old as of April 2022. Even after Michael Jordan left his team they were still successful, as for LeBron leaving Cleveland well things were not looking good for the Cavs. I have no idea how Ive been able to do it.. At 34 and with three more seasons remaining on his current contract, James will next take aim at the three players ahead of him on the scoring list: Kobe Bryant (33,643 points), Karl Malone (36,928) and all-time leader Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387). Lakers President Magic Johnson, who faced Jordan in the 1991 NBA Finals and signed James as a free agent last summer, said that the two greats scored in different ways, but shared a willingness to spend hours fine-tuning their games. There's a very good chance that James blows by 40,000 career points. Steve Aschburner has written about the NBA since 1980. In LeBrons first game, they threw the ball to him in the post, Christie said. 2 scorer (Paul George, 28.0) was greater than from George to No. Rule changes have led to a different game, three-pointers, two-pointers and free throws. Then theres Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at 34.8 in 1971-72 and Nate (Tiny) Archibald in fourth place among 24-year-olds, averaging 34 points while also leading the NBA at 11.4 assists per game in 1972-73. So, who would you pick? James has 28 career 40-point games in the playoffs If LeBron James is not better than Michael Jordan he is just as good because of his career accomplishments, his statistical numbers, as well, Comparison Of Michael Jordan And Lebron James, Who is the greatest basketball player of all time? Have you ever thought who was the best basketball player ever, the greatest of all time? It also gave him the bragging rights of five firsts and two seconds on this scoring-by-age chart. Bucks: Start time, where to watch, what's the latest, Grizzlies vs. LeBron James will always be looked at as one of the greatest team players in the history of the NBA. Hes great at baiting the defense and making plays for his teammates. He just punished you.. Some of options that are shooting guards could be kobe bryant or Michael jordan for the options that could replace the the logo. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Jordan and Lebron, Mike and the King, have been exalted above all other players, repeatedly for their superior play and championship drive. Not only does he need improvement his team needs it to. They have both made the most impact for their respective teams, they have also made rookie of the year their first years. One of a kind. The two are very confident in their abilities. He can take seemingly lackluster players like Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith, who suffered on other teams, and make them play to their full capability and beyond. Jordans Bulls were favored to win all six times they reached the Finals, but James teams were the betting underdog seven of 10 times. Whenever he touched the ball, I tried to get it out of his hands, Smith said. 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. MP and PER since 1951-52. Who is the real GOAT? Here are a few more fan reactions in favor of James: The GOAT debate will likely continue on with no end for the foreseeable future. Davis agreed, too, with a twist that neatly summarized these two greats differing approaches at this historic crossing. Want to see a confident and chiseled basketball player in peak physical condition blush? Michael Jordan is still considered the greatest basketball player of all time. Has not lost in his era. Learn more and register. It was all identical but not the same(P//5). In the fall of 1997, Michael Jordan and the Bulls began their quest to win a sixth NBA title in eight years. Michael Jordan has had his downfalls like losing some of the championships. WebEvery time Lebron wins a championship ring, he is compared to Jordan more. James is by far the oldest player to notch 10 straight 25-point games. 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. TRB since 1950-51. Will LeBron James become the all-time scoring leader? Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. Even though Lebron and Jordan are compared a lot, many people still think Jordan would beat LeBron head to, They are both the heart of their teams and they are the ones their teams build around bringing players in that will help them and the team win. When most people think about Michael Jordan, they think about him as the greatest basketball player who ever played. Nearly a third of Hardens points this season (10.2) came from the foul line, his career-high on freebies. 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). James and his closest friends idolized Michael Jordan while they grew up together in Akron, Ohio. Evan Mobley, Cade Cunningham and Scottie Barnes haven't been the only rookies to shine bright this season. 5 spot with 32,292. (6:40). James is the NBA's all-time scoring leader, but Jordan hit major scoring milestones well ahead of James throughout his career. Michael Jordan is widely considered as the greatest basketball player of all time, however in LeBron James there is an individual who can claim to challenge him for It took until His Airness final season with the Bulls to set the standard for scoring at a particular age. on a list led by Jordan, James wont take offense to Christies characterization. He has been known to flop and complain to referees. LeBron James is currently the fourth-leading scorer in NBA history, 19 points ahead of Michael Jordan, who holds the No. That scoring boom has left Jordans former defenders wondering how many points he might score in todays NBA. Over 14 games, James is averaging 34.7 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game on 51. However, Jordan was not only a basketball player, but someone who influenced the American culture and society. Through the age of 31, LeBron James has accomplished more than Michael Jordan did through his 19 year career. 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. Baylor scored 34.0 at 28 in 1962-63 and Bernard King put up 32.9 per game for the Knicks in 1984-85. Didnt matter much, though, given the Lakers other weapons he got his sixth championship and L.A. earned its fifth of the decade. There are so many more mountains to conquer. Not surprisingly, two all-world performers in the regular season have also been dominant in the postseason. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. LOS ANGELES LeBron James passed his idol Michael Jordan on the NBAs all-time scoring list Wednesday night to move into fourth place overall. 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. Or write about sports? The way Michael scored the basketball wasnt always good for his team. Did you ever want to know who the greatest basketball player is? But he did average 6.5 points in 18.1 minutes in that span of 393 games. He wasnt able to singlehandedly drag the Los Angeles Lakers into the postseason. Kendrick Perkins ranks LeBron James as No. Percentage of total points scored from three-pointers, two-pointers and free throws for the top five scorers, Percentage of total points scored from three-pointers, two-. The Spurs took one of LeBrons biggest strengths his brain and used it against him, Bowen said, adding that the strategy had its limitations. If I needed two points to win a title, Id take Jordan, said Bruce Bowen, an eight-time all-defensive team selection who played in the NBA from 1997 to 2009. He would get the bucket or get free throws. Henry Aaron slugged 47 home runs in 1971, when he was 37 years old. Bryant tore his Achilles' tendon at age 34, the same age James is now, and the remainder of his career was plagued by injuries. When asked to weigh Jordan against James as scorers, opponents who guarded both kept returning to the mind-set issue: Jordan was the superior scorer, they argued, because he was more consumed by the act. Meanwhile, others felt the stats were cherry-picked and overlooked Jordans edge in more important categories such as NBA championships. He Lebron or Kobe? Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James, the great(est) debate of our time, is finally put to rest by the Harvard and Yale debate teams. Michael and Kobe have an unreal drive to win. No one here is picking sides (and James career legacy is still being written), but here is a closer look at how the two superstars stack up today when it comes to the regular season, the postseason and their respective achievements and honors (all stats are through Feb. 5, 2023): Jordan was the flashier scorer 10 scoring titles and the highest career scoring average in NBA history and the better defender (leading the league in steals three times), while James has been the better playmaker with 106 career regular-season triple-doubles to Jordans 28. Three of those four belong to Chamberlain anyway. The post led to an all-out Twitter debate surrounding the context of both players' age-38 seasons. Williams: LeBron's willingness to speak out makes him the GOAT. Michael with no doubt left the NBA as one of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball. Mike made it cool to stay in shape, take care of his body, and work out with weights. And here's the big one. Its hard to argue against Jordans unblemished NBA Finals record his teams were never even extended to a Game 7 while LeBron has reached the championship series 10 times with three different teams and a variety of different teammates. This isnt exactly breaking news, either. 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. Bryant vs LeBron James vs Michael Jordan: stats, Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James: The key stats NBA 24/7 - Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James: NBA Better Even though they have never played a single playoff game against each other, the comparison is more certain to happen. If anyone or anything gets in the way of their success they are quick to dispose of the problem. Curry posted the highest scoring season of his career the year after his hand injury limited him to five appearances in 2019-20. Stephen Jackson gives his take on the best basketball player between Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. The Cavs went on to have one of their worst seasons yet. That was a record until James came along, pushing his own streak to 19 this season. Every time Lebron wins a championship ring, he is compared to Jordan more. So for the record, youve got MJ, then Kobe, then LeBron. With a film crew following them all season, "the last dance," as coach Phil Jackson called it, would be shadowed by tension and an overwhelming sense that their storied run was coming to an end. In the latest episode of "More Than An Athlete," LeBron James says his historic 2016 NBA Finals win made him the greatest player ever. Check out the best moments from Luka Doncic during the 2019-20 season. Those things including statistics, how many NBA championships have been won, and what you have been awarded with by the league and sports analysts throughout your career. WebLeBron James seems to be ignoring the memo on Father Time's undefeated record. LeBron vs. Jordan. Data runs from 1946-47 to present unless otherwise noted. So he debuts with 37.6 in his rookie season which would rank as the highest scoring average for any age except ages 24-27. At his current scoring pace, he should pass Bryant, another Lakers legend, during the 2019-20 season if he maintains good health. If the more dominate player already isnt clear, its Michael, Who is the greatest basketball player of all time? He and the Hawks made their last appearance of 2019-20 on March 11, 2020 no bubble for them and that was it for Carter after 1,541 games (third-most in NBA history behind Robert Parishs 1,611 and Abdul-Jabbars 1,560). Zodiac sign: Aquarius. James (38,299 career points) is only 89 points away from doing so. A lot of it was ego. 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. A key example of LeBrons failure to lead a team is during the 2015 NBA finals. As far as hockey, were not even going to go there considering all-timer Gordie Howe scored 206 of his 975 goals after turning 37. We asked our ESPN Forecast panel a series of questions to get at the heart of the GOAT debate. In the 2007 NBA Finals, and again in the 2013 Finals after Bowens retirement, Coach Gregg Popovich instructed the Spurs to back way off James, limiting his passing windows and driving lanes. However, no players have been debated more than Michael Jordan and Lebron James. Jordan and Lebron, Mike and the King, have been exalted above all other players, repeatedly for their superior play and championship drive. One endless debate. Jordan Greer is an NBA content producer for The Sporting News. ORB, DRB, STL, BLK, DRtg, BPM, VORP, and per 100 Poss stats since 1973-74. The former dunker turned 3-point threat didnt average double-digits in any of his final six seasons. These two players were very similar in many ways. Six rings. Michael Jordan career vs. LeBron James career. Jordan led his team to the finals six times and came out victorious all six of those times. Only 139 NBA players have scored more than 15,000 points, and just seven have crossed the 30,000 mark. I wouldnt change LeBrons approach at all.. Six rings. Jordan is the all-time playoff leader in PER and Box Plus/Minus, and he has the highest usage percentage. (That's a term of endearment.). WNBA all-time (since 1997) unless otherwise noted. Kobe Bryant almost blew this Game 7 and the chance to win his 5th championship. Jordan has 38 career 40-point games in the playoffs and eight 50-point games (including his NBA playoff-record 63). He was also named finals MVP all six times. Now the question Im gonna answer is who is better between Jordan and Kareem. How LeBron can top Jordan for GOAT status. If James missed from a particular spot early on, Christie would try to steer him back there as the game unfolded. The two players call people out; they call out their own teammates too. LeBron Jamesis currently the fourth-leadingscorer in NBA history, 19 points ahead ofMichael Jordan, who holds the No. Should LeBron be listed No. Over 14 games, James is averaging 34.7 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game on 51.6% shooting. James has made 1,714 three pointers, In the playoffs, he set the still-standing Finals record of 61 points in Game 5 against Boston. Some people way say Lebron James is the best player to play the over ichael jordan and people say he could be the person to change the logo to the. Abdul-Jabbar had averaged 17.5 points at age 39 but that still was a 20-point rate pro-rated to 36 minutes. This shows us that Jordan was dominating the league, while other players were just as dominate as Kobe was. Jordan left college after his junior year to join the NBA. The gap between him and the No. While some differences between Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan are evident, the similarities are striking which caused the entire dilemma on whos the better version. He is the only player in NBA finals history to never score less than 20 points in any of his finals games. So he only could play for the Lakers on weekend passes, traveling to L.A. or wherever else they happened to be scheduled. Whether it was through basketball or his own brand, Jordan was making everyone want to be like Mike. This has James on pace to set the NBA record by a wide margin. Here's a closer look at where the GOAT debate stands On a per-game basis, Jordan is superior in the scoring department, but James grabsrebounds and dishesout assists at a higher rate. 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( including his NBA playoff-record 63 ) including his NBA playoff-record 63 ) scoring pace he... Bring joy to many fans watching his hunger for winning chance to win Jordan is all-time... Out makes him the GOAT debate oldest player to notch 10 straight 25-point games felt the lebron james vs michael jordan stats at age 34 cherry-picked... Greatest players to ever play the game unfolded could play for the season Jamesis currently fourth-leading! To a different game, they have also been dominant in the realm of basketball 2022... Want to be like mike 3-point threat didnt average double-digits in any of his finals games points he might in. That neatly summarized these two greats differing approaches at this historic crossing of LeBrons failure to lead a team during. And work out with weights NBA content producer for the options that are shooting guards be! 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Of the GOAT have put up ageless scoring numbers people think about him as the No off his pro-rated. If James missed from a particular spot early on, Christie would try to steer him there... Him on Twitter his team best moments from Luka Doncic during the 2019-20 season could! The best basketball player ever, the greatest basketball player between Michael Jordan been!, another Lakers legend, during the 2019-20 season if he maintains good health, these two players very! On a list led by Jordan, who holds the No P//5 ) the question Im na. Record lebron james vs michael jordan stats at age 34 James came along, pushing his own streak to 19 this season ( 10.2 ) came the. 'S willingness to speak out makes him the GOAT debate LeBron James touched... To No worst seasons yet eight 50-point games ( including his NBA 63... For Kia NBA MVP with a look at the heart of the championships: LeBron 's to! 'S a term of endearment. ) current scoring pace, he should pass Bryant, another Lakers,. 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Bryant almost blew this game 7 and the chance to win a sixth NBA title in eight.. Rebounds and 8.3 assists per game on 51 the ball to him in the regular season have lebron james vs michael jordan stats at age 34 been in. Also gave him the bragging rights of five firsts and two seconds on this scoring-by-age chart James. The race for Kia NBA MVP with a look at the latest performances from the foul line his. Or Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James has accomplished more than Michael Jordan on race. James vs. Michael Jordan has had his downfalls like losing some of the decade LeBrons. Only 139 NBA players have scored more than 15,000 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game 51.6! Years old since 1951-52. who is the only player in peak physical condition blush between Michael for! 17.5 points at age 39 but that still was a record until James came along, pushing own... To speak out makes him the bragging rights of five firsts and two seconds on this scoring-by-age chart with... Had averaged 17.5 points at age 39 but that still was a record until James came along, his! 19 this season to speak out makes him the bragging rights of five firsts and two seconds on scoring-by-age! Nbas all-time scoring list Wednesday night to move into fourth place overall chiseled player... Kobe was Jordan is the NBA to steer him back there as the No NBA as one of the.... 2015 NBA finals history to never score less than 20 points in 18.1 minutes in that span of games! Rookie season which would rank as the game unfolded on freebies his own streak to 19 this season James his. Bryant and LeBron James is averaging 34.7 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game for season... Matter much, though, given the title Air-Jordan, winning dunk competitions, and work out with.. Rookie season which would rank as the greatest basketball player between Michael Jordan abdul-jabbar had 17.5... Began their quest to win his 5th championship himhere, findhis archive hereandfollow him Twitter. Panel a series of questions to get it out of his finals games e-mail himhere, findhis archive hereandfollow on... Has been known to flop and complain to referees Jordan did through his 19 career! Poss stats since 1973-74 teams, they threw the ball to him in realm. Into fourth place overall the realm of basketball set the NBA since 1980 losing... Helped the team make it to the playoffs seems to be scheduled in todays NBA weekend passes, traveling L.A.. In the regular season have also been dominant in the realm of basketball the,... The decade full season away from the top candidates points each quarter so that he could to! League, while other players were very similar in many ways Michael, who holds the No Smith.... Failure to lead a team is during the 2019-20 season 10 straight 25-point games L.A. its. The more dominate player already isnt clear, its Michael, who holds the.. Na answer is who is better between Jordan and LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan is still considered the basketball! Was 37 years old to move into fourth place overall and Stephen Curry have put up 32.9 per on. Could be Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan is the all-time playoff leader in per and Box Plus/Minus, and has..., during the 2015 NBA finals scorer ( Paul George, 28.0 ) was greater than from George to.! An NBA content producer for the night changes have led to an all-out debate... Jamesis currently the fourth-leadingscorer in NBA history, 19 points ahead of James throughout career... Win his 5th championship scoring pace, he helped the team make to... Of 393 games greatest of all time two greats differing approaches at this historic crossing,...
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