MJ vs. LBJ-5 specific aspects

pipfan · Post #1 » by **pipfan** » Thu Oct 3, 2019 8:52 pm

I see these two as the #1 and #2 of all time, with KAJ in there somewhere. Lots of arguments about who is better. We know MJ was a better scorer and LBJ a better passer. I listed 5 parts of their games below-vote for 5 please (pick MJ or LBJ in each of the 5 categories)

No-more-rings · Post #2 » by **No-more-rings** » Thu Oct 3, 2019 9:28 pm

This thread could get ugly fast, i do just want to say i’ve never really been fully convinced that Lebron was better defensively. For peaks definitely, but for consistency? I don’t know, Lebron got by a lot on reputation after like 2013 or so, seemed to coast a lot in 14 and 15, had a great year in 16 then just wasn’t special after that.

HBK_Kliq_33 · Post #3 » by **HBK_Kliq_33** » Thu Oct 3, 2019 9:44 pm

Jordan is better at everything besides passing but the passing gap is very small. Jordan played PG and averaged 8 assists a game under Doug Collins. The triangle and with pippen's development is when his assists just naturally go down.

Jaivl · Post #4 » by **Jaivl** » Thu Oct 3, 2019 10:41 pm

Voted

LeBron better on D
None better leader
None more clutch
LeBron better athlete
Jordan more skilled overall

The first one is the only one I feel you can't really convince me to argue against.

yoyoboy · Post #5 » by **yoyoboy** » Thu Oct 3, 2019 10:57 pm

I honestly think Jordan is the better athlete. I feel like it’s the one attribute of MJ that people actually underrate. LeBron is bigger and bulkier but Jordan had catlike agility, a GOAT level first step, at least equal straight line speed, a max vertical that was at least 6 inches higher, quicker ability to leap off 2 feet, and probably the most insane body control in air we’ve ever seen.

Watch on YouTube

Jaivl · Post #6 » by **Jaivl** » Thu Oct 3, 2019 11:35 pm

yoyoboy wrote:a max vertical that was at least 6 inches higher

Nah, Jordan has a few less inches than he claims to. Avaliable video evidence supports my claim.

SHAQ32 · Post #7 » by **SHAQ32** » Thu Oct 3, 2019 11:41 pm

Jordan:
- Better defender
- Clutch
- Better athlete
- More skilled (relative to era)

LeBron:
- Better leader

Clipsz 4 Life · Post #8 » by **Tim Lehrbach** » Thu Oct 3, 2019 11:43 pm

Jaivl wrote:None more clutch

I know I'm not the only one who read this in Nigel Tufnel's voice.

Spoiler:

freethedevil · Post #9 » by **freethedevil** » Fri Oct 4, 2019 12:36 am

No-more-rings wrote:This thread could get ugly fast, i do just want to say i’ve never really been fully convinced that Lebron was better defensively. For peaks definitely, but for consistency? I don’t know, Lebron got by a lot on reputation after like 2013 or so, seemed to coast a lot in 14 and 15, had a great year in 16 then just wasn’t special after that.

Lebron's was a psotive defensively in his 16th season. Can't even say that for jordan's 14th or 15th

udfa · Post #10 » by **udfa** » Fri Oct 4, 2019 1:36 am

yoyoboy wrote:I honestly think Jordan is the better athlete. I feel like it’s the one attribute of MJ that people actually underrate. LeBron is bigger and bulkier but Jordan had catlike agility, a GOAT level first step, at least equal straight line speed, a max vertical that was at least 6 inches higher, quicker ability to leap off 2 feet, and probably the most insane body control in air we’ve ever seen.

Watch on YouTube

Completely agree. The other magnificent aspects of Jordan's game have overshadowed his incredible athleticism. Prime MJ was an all-time great athlete.

Watch on YouTube

Cavsfansince84 · Post #11 » by **Cavsfansince84** » Fri Oct 4, 2019 2:05 am

MJ was more consistently great throughout his prime. LeBron at his very best in a single game, series or even entire playoff run was right at MJ's level though.

OdomFan · Post #12 » by **OdomFan** » Fri Oct 4, 2019 3:00 am

Jordan the way better leader. Lebron quit on teams after influencing terrible decisions. Jordan was better at every aspect of the game.

SinceGatlingWasARookie · Post #13 » by **SinceGatlingWasARookie** » Fri Oct 4, 2019 4:45 am

Is size athleticism? Jordan was clearly more athletic than LeBron unless size is athleticism.

LeBird · Post #14 » by **LeBird** » Fri Oct 4, 2019 11:02 am

Everything except [volume] scoring is LeBron.

LeBird · Post #15 » by **LeBird** » Fri Oct 4, 2019 11:03 am

OdomFan wrote:Jordan the way better leader. Lebron quit on teams after influencing terrible decisions. Jordan was better at every aspect of the game.

Jordan was an awful leader. He regularly had fights with his teammates. The real leader on the Bulls was Pippen, and it was obvious.

NbaAllDay · Post #16 » by **NbaAllDay** » Fri Oct 4, 2019 11:12 am

OdomFan wrote:Jordan the way better leader. Lebron quit on teams after influencing terrible decisions. Jordan was better at every aspect of the game.

Could also make the arguement that MJ quit on his team twice and robbed them of more Rings etc etc.

But it's a horrible arguement as the one you made so I won't bother.

NbaAllDay · Post #17 » by **NbaAllDay** » Fri Oct 4, 2019 11:22 am

I also think MJ's athletisiscm gets underrated too. MJs size allowed him to be a little quicker and more explosive at times. In saying that, Lebron has a decently sized bigger frame and still has remarkable movements so pound for pound It becomes close however I think MJ takes it.

I'm not convinced around the skills arguement in favour of MJ.

I rate passing as far as skills go quite high and Lebron just does it a lot better. Lebron can make a few types of passes that almost no one else is capable of let alone MJ (see one armed bullet skip passes to corner shooters on both hands).

Lebron has the edge when dribbling as well. I also see him as being a more 'skillful' defender when it comes to reading the game. Especially in a Draymond type D role.

MJ has the shooting and he has the quicker first step which makes a huge difference in his ability to get to the rim, more of athleticism that it is skill.
Last note: Lebron finishes better with both hands at the rim (albeit a small edge) and this I see as a skillful ability as well.

So it depends on how much you value shooting but I just see more of it in favour of Lebron.

Gooner · Post #18 » by **Gooner** » Fri Oct 4, 2019 11:22 am

OdomFan wrote:Jordan the way better leader. Lebron quit on teams after influencing terrible decisions. Jordan was better at every aspect of the game.

At every aspect he was better, no doubt. LeBron is an excuse maker, not a great leader for a player of that stature. Defense is not close either. This poll is a biased fan vote as usual.

mysticOscar · Post #19 » by **mysticOscar** » Fri Oct 4, 2019 12:21 pm

The main difference between MJ and Lebron is that MJ was a consistent shooter as well as MJ was good from the post pretty much his first year whereas Lebron grew more into his post skills.

Everything else is secondary. Lebrons size makes up for MJs advantage in agility and body control.

MJ is Lebron with a consitent midrange and elite post

bledredwine · Post #20 » by **bledredwine** » Fri Oct 4, 2019 1:03 pm

HBK_Kliq_33 wrote:Jordan is better at everything besides passing but the passing gap is very small. Jordan played PG and averaged 8 assists a game under Doug Collins. The triangle and with pippen's development is when his assists just naturally go down.

This. I’ve been watching plenty of full games lately, and it’s made clear that almost no one here is familiar with Jordan’s passing game. Jordan is a much better inside passer, Lebron to the perimeter. And that makes sense when you think about it.

And sorry guys, but Jordan is just a different beast. Watch some full games if you haven’t lately.

MJ vs LBJ