Better player:2020 LeBron vs 1998 Jordan

[Homer38]

Who was the best player?

[MyUniBroDavis]

I think a way to say it is

Davis is having a historic offensive big man run at the level of probably any other big man, at least statistically and in terms of raw impact data, and has been a DPOY level guy on defense in terms of play outside of aspects of the nuggets series

Theres an argument that 2020 lebron is still having a better run/gonna have a better run even though hes gine lecoast a bunch these playoff

Obv i get that rts is a thing but to hammer it home, brons avg ts% this run is 63.7 while jordans 4th best game (of 21) was 63.7 as well

Jordan averages 31.5/5.1/3.5 in 41.5 minutes

Lebron is averaging 26.6/10.5/8.9 in 35.9 minutes

Obviously this is an oversimplification and makes bron look extra good. TS was hella low in 1998 and it was def harder to score then, than now.

But brons RS was like, possibly a top 5 RS from bron (09,10,12,13 are the only ones ahead for sure imo, if you consider two way impact) and his playoffs have been insane when you consider how good hes been defensively too.

The main thing is brons scoring has not been as consistent as he has been in previous runs and his passing honestly hasnt been as good as in the RS imo, but thats partially because hes relied on AD when his shot is off (obv his midrange game isnt used as much now).

[No-more-rings]

I don't really know what the argument for Jordan would be. Maybe you could argue he was a little better on defense, though that's questionable and offensively Lebron is just clearly better.

[Firebird1]

2020 LeBron is better than 1998 Jordan.

[zimpy27]

I'm not sure if any of Jordan's seasons after his first retirement are better than this LeBron 2020 season.

[70sFan]

I don't really know what the argument for Jordan would be. Maybe you could argue he was a little better on defense, though that's questionable and offensively Lebron is just clearly better.

I don't think 1998 version of Jordan has much of a case defensively over 2020 James, who sometimes is overrated but still produces on that end on all-nba level and brings much more versatility than old MJ.

[MyUniBroDavis]

I don't really know what the argument for Jordan would be. Maybe you could argue he was a little better on defense, though that's questionable and offensively Lebron is just clearly better.

I don't think 1998 version of Jordan has much of a case defensively over 2020 James, who sometimes is overrated but still produces on that end on all-nba level and brings much more versatility than old MJ.

Im curiious why you think 2020 bron is a better defender, the "hes better than davis" takes r a bit much but his playoff defense has been pretty insane so far

[magicman1978]

I think one interesting thing in this comparison is that 98 was probably Jordan's most difficult road to a championship. He had to carry a much heavier load that season for them to win (Pippen was hurt most of the year and not 100% for the playoffs, Rodman was done, and Jordan had to adjust to shooting with a now mangled index finger on his shooting hand). 2020 has probably been LeBron's least difficult. Still, overall, I would have to say LeBron was the better player this season than Jordan was in 98. Bron was on a mission this year - it was the first season since Miami that he hasn't coasted in the regular season.

[70sFan]

I don't really know what the argument for Jordan would be. Maybe you could argue he was a little better on defense, though that's questionable and offensively Lebron is just clearly better.

I don't think 1998 version of Jordan has much of a case defensively over 2020 James, who sometimes is overrated but still produces on that end on all-nba level and brings much more versatility than old MJ.

Im curiious why you think 2020 bron is a better defender, the "hes better than davis" takes r a bit much but his playoff defense has been pretty insane so far

I don't think James has been better defensively than Davis in playoffs, but MJ became much less versatile defender at this point. He didn't have the same motor and the same range on defense he had when he was younger. Still insane lockdown defender when motivated, but James secondary rim protection and help communication is more valuable to me and it's not like James didn't prove that he's still capable of shutting down opponents one on one.

[Amares]

LeBron easily, defensively where Jordan was 3rd or 4th defender in his team alone and LeBron is doing so much more in team defense it's not even close. And offensively LeBron remains not only elite scorer, but also all-time great passer. He's probably better still than Jordan was at any 2nd 3-peat point.

[70sFan]

LeBron easily, defensively where Jordan was 3rd or 4th defender in his team alone and LeBron is doing so much more in team defense it's not even close. And offensively LeBron remains not only elite scorer, but also all-time great passer. He's probably better still than Jordan was at any 2nd 3-peat point.

James is probably 3rd best defender on his team as well, at least in WCF.

I'd likely take 1996 MJ over 2020 James, but not 1997 and 1998 ones.

[Amares]

LeBron easily, defensively where Jordan was 3rd or 4th defender in his team alone and LeBron is doing so much more in team defense it's not even close. And offensively LeBron remains not only elite scorer, but also all-time great passer. He's probably better still than Jordan was at any 2nd 3-peat point.

James is probably 3rd best defender on his team as well, at least in WCF.

I'd likely take 1996 MJ over 2020 James, but not 1997 and 1998 ones.

Most of the season he was second, sometimes he's even nr 1. Jordan was not close to that, I wouldn't take any Jordan after 1993 over current James.

[limbo]

The questions should be 2020 Kawhi vs 1998 Jordan. LeBron's playmaking/versatility adds another dimension to this.

[MyUniBroDavis]

LeBron easily, defensively where Jordan was 3rd or 4th defender in his team alone and LeBron is doing so much more in team defense it's not even close. And offensively LeBron remains not only elite scorer, but also all-time great passer. He's probably better still than Jordan was at any 2nd 3-peat point.

James is probably 3rd best defender on his team as well, at least in WCF.

I'd likely take 1996 MJ over 2020 James, but not 1997 and 1998 ones.

Wait third? Howard definately in the WCF but howard was the best then, he wasnt great in the first round or the second and he dropped off hard in the rs aftetr a strong start

[Jiminy Glick]

If we put 2020 LeBron in 1998 it would be more clear Jordan is better. LeBron is playing in a flag basketball league. Also Jordan wasn't running the Bull's offense in 1998, they played the triangle offense, so yeah LeBron has more assists and his stats in terms of assists look better. LeBron is also the better rebounder but Jordan is the better player. Make no mistake though, Jordan is the better passer.

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[Freighttrain]

If we put 2020 LeBron in 1998 it would be more clear Jordan is better. LeBron is playing in a flag basketball league. Also Jordan wasn't running the Bull's offense in 1998, they played the triangle offense, so yeah LeBron has more assists and his stats in terms of assists look better. LeBron is also the better rebounder but Jordan is the better player. Make no mistake though, Jordan is the better passer.

Watch on YouTube

I'm trying to take you guys seriously but it's so damn hard

[MyUniBroDavis]

If we put 2020 LeBron in 1998 it would be more clear Jordan is better. LeBron is playing in a flag basketball league. Also Jordan wasn't running the Bull's offense in 1998, they played the triangle offense, so yeah LeBron has more assists and his stats in terms of assists look better. LeBron is also the better rebounder but Jordan is the better player. Make no mistake though, Jordan is the better passer.

Watch on YouTube

I mean cool but youre like blatantly wrong lol. Why would you go about how soft fouls are to go against the guy who the refs have lately been helping the least?

[henshao]

Ask this again in 5-10 years to get a more balance perspective

[homecourtloss]

LeBron easily, defensively where Jordan was 3rd or 4th defender in his team alone and LeBron is doing so much more in team defense it's not even close. And offensively LeBron remains not only elite scorer, but also all-time great passer. He's probably better still than Jordan was at any 2nd 3-peat point.

James is probably 3rd best defender on his team as well, at least in WCF.

I'd likely take 1996 MJ over 2020 James, but not 1997 and 1998 ones.

Most of the season he was second, sometimes he's even nr 1. Jordan was not close to that, I wouldn't take any Jordan after 1993 over current James.

2nd in regular season DRPM, 1st in postseason defensive PIPM...who was second best in the WCF, ‘70sFan

[MyUniBroDavis]

James is probably 3rd best defender on his team as well, at least in WCF.

I'd likely take 1996 MJ over 2020 James, but not 1997 and 1998 ones.

Most of the season he was second, sometimes he's even nr 1. Jordan was not close to that, I wouldn't take any Jordan after 1993 over current James.

2nd in regular season DRPM, 1st in postseason defensive PIPM...who was second best in the WCF, ‘70sFan

I dont think its a given he was better on d than davis in the conference finals, i see the argument though

I think davis has been a better defender throughout the playoffs, which isnt saying much tbf. Dwight was def the best defender in the wcf, and then its davis or bron.