I've only seen MJ play at his peak when he started to win the rings so I can say there is no comparison. But the reason people want to compare is because we've never seen MJ go into a finals without his 2nd option and almost win the ring and we've never seen MJ lead a comeback down 3-1 to win the ring. These legendary moments have put Bron into the discussion with MJ. After Brons first two rings there really wasn't much of a debate.
First of all, Lebron plays in a softer NBA(This has been said by more than one former player who played in the modern NBA, and the NBA of the 90s). An NBA that doesn't offer much to combat his style of play: Driving and finishing at the rim. In Jordan's era, hand-checking was a reality and it was probably the greatest era for defensive bigs. The new rule changes have made it easier.
People will look at guys like Grant Hill's and Penny Hardaway's stats, and say they weren't impressive compared to the players of today. No. Those guys played in an era where defense was fukking real. Furthermore, players didn't jack up threes as much as they do today. This allows for higher PPG opportunities, and for more rebounding opportunities for guards, because of so many long rebounds.
Second of all, Lebron's competitive nature pales in comparisons to Jordan. You have, and never will hear anyone refer to Lebron's competitive fire. He's extremely bright on the court, and he is definitely a swiss army knife, but I've seen guys take him out of his game. Little Jason Terry? I remember in one of Kobe's last All-Star games, and clearly a shell of his former self, Lebron let Kobe call him out at the end of the 4th, and Kobe blocked his shot twice. Even as a Kobe fan, I found that disgusting. You could tell Lebron wasn't accustomed to being put on front-street like that, because he became super-tentative with the ball, which is the ONLY way Kobe's old dead legs could have done anything with him defensively.
As for Jordan, Jordan was truly a great defender and offensive player. Jordan won 10 scoring titles; Nine All-NBA First Defensive Teams(Lebron has Five); a Defensive Player of the year award; more MVP's and more NBA Finals wins and MVP's.
People talk about Lebron's chase down blocks, but how many people know Jordan, in back to back seasons, tallied over 120 blocks? Lebron's max is 95. Lebron averaged two steals once, and his best year was 2.2 steals. Jordan averaged at least 2 steals ten times, with five of those seasons being over 2.5, and one being over 3.
All-around stats? The reason why I'm not impressed by Lebron's all-around numbers and the news guys, is because I saw guys who weren't known for those numbers, go stretches giving you those numbers when their team needed them. Jordan had a year where he averaged 32pt, 8rbs, and 8asts. A whole season. Those are numbers you'd expect of Lebron. Jordan even had a stretch of 10 triple-doubles in 11 games. Nobody in history ever did that. I don't even think Russ has done that. Jordan proved he could do that all-around shyt, but Jordan believed in spreading out the work. Those guys on his team was being paid millions, too. Lebron's problem has been, he does so much for his team, that deep in the playoffs, when he's tired and need them to prop him up, they're not conditioned to save him. They've become too dependent on him.
Literally the only thing Lebron could do that MJ couldn't do is guard multiple positions. He is very Dennis Rodman like in that regard. Everything else? Jordan proved he could do, if he needed to.
in 2018
