Better Athlete MJ or LeBron?

[INKtastic]

where does anyone get Jordan was a much better leaper? They both can/could dunk from the foul line. According to online stats, Jordan had a slightly larger vertical leap - 48" vs 44" but LeBron is 2 to 3 inches taller and has a 2" wider wing span, so they both get basically to the same height while LeBron is carrying 40 more lbs vs peak jumping Jordan, which was before he bulked up for his 7th season.

First off, I didn't say Jordan was a "much better leaper," but he's pretty clearly a better leaper simply because of his versatility. Lebron is ELITE off of one foot, and may even have an edge on MJ there. But Jordan takes a dump all over Lebron in two-footed jumping, jumping off a hop step, and quick jumping for offensive putbacks, second efforts etc. It's not even close in those categories.

vertical leap is measured jumping off of two feet.

[prs]

its ok to say someone is greater than Jordan at one thing Jordan fans. I think in terms of athleticism Lebron is superior.

Anyways lookin at that random vert webpage. WTF@Randy Moss. I knew he could jump but damn 51-53" vertical, guy is a freak. Should've had him in a dunk contest for ****.

[KING JAMES1978]

where does anyone get Jordan was a much better leaper? They both can/could dunk from the foul line. According to online stats, Jordan had a slightly larger vertical leap - 48" vs 44" but LeBron is 2 to 3 inches taller and has a 2" wider wing span, so they both get basically to the same height while LeBron is carrying 40 more lbs vs peak jumping Jordan, which was before he bulked up for his 7th season.

First off, I didn't say Jordan was a "much better leaper," but he's pretty clearly a better leaper simply because of his versatility. Lebron is ELITE off of one foot, and may even have an edge on MJ there. But Jordan takes a dump all over Lebron in two-footed jumping, jumping off a hop step, and quick jumping for offensive putbacks, second efforts etc. It's not even close in those categories.

For speed, there are also reports that Jordan ran a 4.3 40 while LeBron ran a 4.4 40.

I don't doubt that Lebron has comparable speed to Jordan (or anyone) over 40-60 yards, but MJ's short burst speed and acceleration (20-35 feet) is unmatched, and that's much more important for basketball.

You and JordanBulls all the time try to say that Jordan is the best at everything
And you know something?He is not clearly the the best of all time!Wilt says hello!
He is one of the 3-4 greatest athletes but stop it!

Jordan is better than Tiger Woods in Golf.Jordan is better than Federer in Tennis.Jordan is better than Senna was in F1.Jordan is better than Valentino Rossi(Moto Gp GOAT.Here from Italy).Jordan is better than Maradona in soccer!Everything is about Michael Jordan!

And also is maybe better than Rony Seikely as a dj......

[USA]

I hate them both but I have to go with Jordan on this one.

[Jordan23Forever]

vertical leap is measured jumping off of two feet.

Can you show me a Lebron dunk off two feet in the halfcourt, preferably over someone?

I also have to lol @ the predictable responses of some people who act like it's blasphemy to take Jordan in this comparison. Like I said, it's en vogue to act like Lebron is in some other stratosphere athletically, but he really isn't (especially not when it comes to basketball athleticism in particular). It's arguable at the very least.

[eatyourchildren]

Toss up for me.

Jordan has a better accelerator, also seems to have a slightly better motor (endurance), much better lateral speed too. From a near standstill, Jordan's explosiveness is incredible (I liken it to Bruce Lee's 1 inch punch).

But then all of these advantages kind of get tossed to the side a little bit considering LeBron's mobility at his size. Guys bounce off of him, even Dwight. Imagine he had a semi-refined post game. He would blow MJ and Kobe's post efficiency out of the water.

Different kinds of athletes I guess. They both epitomize the perfect athleticism at their positions. Just like Wilt did for C.

[ElGee]

LeBron has a 7-3 wingspan and tall true-height index. Those of you who think he's a better leaper or more explosive leaper must be under the impression that he's about 6-4 or something...

The more interesting question is who was a better athlete, Jordan or Pippen? This was a hot topic in the Bulls camp when Pippen joined the team.

[tha_rock220]

LeBron is more physically gifted. In fact his advantage in that area is unmatched by any NBA player since Wilt. Jordan had a better first step, got off the ground faster, had better body control, and could change direction and speed better. Jordan is a better athlete if you consider that alone, but a player's size has to be considered as well, and IMO that pulls them roughly equal leaning toward LeBron. Then again, Jordan with average athleticism would have been a fine NBA player. Could the same be said about LeBron.



BTW, LeBron and Jordan having 44 and 48 inch verticals is about as true as Wilt's 50 inch vertical, which is to say they're all total bull.

[INKtastic]

BTW, LeBron and Jordan having 44 and 48 inch verticals is about as true as Wilt's 50 inch vertical, which is to say they're all total bull.

[The Main Event]

where does anyone get Jordan was a much better leaper? They both can/could dunk from the foul line. According to online stats, Jordan had a slightly larger vertical leap - 48" vs 44" but LeBron is 2 to 3 inches taller and has a 2" wider wing span, so they both get basically to the same height while LeBron is carrying 40 more lbs vs peak jumping Jordan, which was before he bulked up for his 7th season.

Here's the chart I found

http://vertcoach.com/highest-vertical-leap.html

here's another chart that says they both had the same 44" vertical leap

http://www.listafterlist.com/tabid/57/l ... story.aspx

Another place said Jordan was measured at 48" in college, but 42" early in his bulls career. LeBron is pretty consistently listed at 44". For speed, there are also reports that Jordan ran a 4.3 40 while LeBron ran a 4.4 40.

As for better athlete, I'm not quite sure how to pick one over the other. it's basically the same degree of athleticism in a different frame.

great post

[The Main Event]

I hate them both but I have to go with Jordan on this one.

i'd love to hear who you like

[USA]

I hate them both but I have to go with Jordan on this one.

i'd love to hear who you like

The Lakers. Never been a big fan of individual players. Magic was the only player I was a huge fan of and that was only because I was 7 when he was in his prime (83-84 when I started watching the Lakers). I was young and easily influenced.

[D.Brasco]

I watched tonite the '97 bull-bullets playoff game where mj scored 55 points and i was blown away how even him being in his 30's could still pull of these really athletic moves.

I beleive mj might have the taddest fraction of athleticism over lebron but as someone here said lebron is indeed more physically gifted.

[NO-KG-AI]

where does anyone get Jordan was a much better leaper? They both can/could dunk from the foul line. According to online stats, Jordan had a slightly larger vertical leap - 48" vs 44" but LeBron is 2 to 3 inches taller and has a 2" wider wing span, so they both get basically to the same height while LeBron is carrying 40 more lbs vs peak jumping Jordan, which was before he bulked up for his 7th season.

Here's the chart I found

http://vertcoach.com/highest-vertical-leap.html

here's another chart that says they both had the same 44" vertical leap

http://www.listafterlist.com/tabid/57/l ... story.aspx

Another place said Jordan was measured at 48" in college, but 42" early in his bulls career. LeBron is pretty consistently listed at 44". For speed, there are also reports that Jordan ran a 4.3 40 while LeBron ran a 4.4 40.

As for better athlete, I'm not quite sure how to pick one over the other. it's basically the same degree of athleticism in a different frame.

great post

No it isn't... it's unsubstantiated crap... for both guys.

I agree with LeBron being a better overall specimen, just not for basketball.

[TMU]

LOL at making arguments using those incredulous websites.

[INKtastic]

LOL at making arguments using those incredulous websites.

i guess you missed this photo



Looks about right for 44" to me. I've seen LeBron jump for an alley oop that was poorly thrown where he used one hand to grab the ball and make the shot while using the other hand to push himself down and duck so he didn't hit the side of his head on the rim.

[Johnny Firpo]

The picture quality is horrible, sorry. And correct me if i'm wrong, but the rim is at a 10 feet height, right? So a 6'8 player needs "only" a 39 inch vertical, to bump his head on the rim, that if my usually horrible math skills didn't let me down this time.

[Coxy]

Lebron has better roids.

[ElGee]

RE: Vertical leap. The misconceptions about vertical leap are about as prevalent as those about steroids or 40 yard dash times.

Vertical leap is measured off a drop step. It is a measure of how hi one *reaches* not what one can jump over (eg Adrian Wilson video). As Johnny Firpo implies, vertical reports in basketball circles are highly exaggerated, or else everyone would be able to touch the top of the backboard.

For perspective, I don't remember ever measuring close to 30" (26" maybe?) and I could dunk at 6-3 (with a low true-height index - my wingspan is average). Most NBA wings - and those discussed in this thread - have significantly higher true height indexes, so when they stand flat-footed and reach up, they are already in the ballpark of 9 feet. LeBron has a 7-3 wingspan on a 6-8 frame. You guys can do the math to see how ridiculous these 4-foot vertical leap estimates are...don't forget, in the games they get a running start, so they should be getting even higher than the claims!

(http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_ ... mping-myth. He searches forever and Howard (6-11) and James White (6-7) are the only guys who can get close to 13-feet.

"But whether James White can or can't reach the top is secondary in this discussion. The point is, if a 6-7 Olympic-caliber high jumper who can do dunks that Vince Carter and Michael Jordan dare not attempt is struggling to reach a yardstick off of the side of the hoop, there is no player in history who has ever touched the top of the backboard. And certainly no one who has ever "made change."

[KING JAMES1978]

The picture quality is horrible, sorry. And correct me if i'm wrong, but the rim is at a 10 feet height, right? So a 6'8 player needs "only" a 39 inch vertical, to bump his head on the rim, that if my usually horrible math skills didn't let me down this time.

Did you watch that game?Oh my god!
LBJ catch the ball from a bad pass by Mo but he jumped in the sky..Fans also admired that.
It's difficult to say who has the better leap.It's very close.