LeBron vs Jordan

[TheStig]

I do think MJ is the better player.

I would however take Bron's career. He's 17 seasons in and I would be shocked if he didn't have at least 3 more top 3 player seasons in him.He's gone to 10 of the last 13 finals. He's also the more versatile player in terms of match ups and playing with others. You're pretty much guaranteed a finals appearance. I don't see MJ ever deferring to another star. I don't think you'd get anyone other than Pippen (who he helped make) to defer to him. Most of these stars want to prove their the best. Do you think any of today's top 10 players would defer to him and be a 2nd tier option?

LeBron has a lot of mileage and is 35. I can see him being elite for another 1-2 years but age will catch up to him soon. Asking a 37 -38 year old with 20 seasons under his belt to play at an MVP level is asking a lot.

We shall see. So far time has not caught up to him and he keeps himself in excellent condition. I read an article that he spends 1-2 mill a year on his body.

[dougthonus]

We shall see. So far time has not caught up to him and he keeps himself in excellent condition. I read an article that he spends 1-2 mill a year on his body.

I'd imagine LeBron is on whatever the most elite performance enhancing drugs are that exist as well in terms of keeping your body in great shape that might add a couple more years. He has slowed down a bit already, just not enough that it makes a huge difference, but he's no longer defending the opposing team's best player to save energy.

I wouldn't be surprised if he can hang on another 3-4 years. He can still be the best player on the floor, but only in spurts. He can't sustain it over a regular season (and has already given up trying), but he can turn it on for a playoffs. His playoff numbers this year were insane compared to his regular season numbers. A year or two more and he may only be able to turn it on for 3-4 games at a time. We'll see though, his endurance has been legendary so far in terms of how well he's maintained his conditioning.

[Am2626]

I do think MJ is the better player.

I would however take Bron's career. He's 17 seasons in and I would be shocked if he didn't have at least 3 more top 3 player seasons in him.He's gone to 10 of the last 13 finals. He's also the more versatile player in terms of match ups and playing with others. You're pretty much guaranteed a finals appearance. I don't see MJ ever deferring to another star. I don't think you'd get anyone other than Pippen (who he helped make) to defer to him. Most of these stars want to prove their the best. Do you think any of today's top 10 players would defer to him and be a 2nd tier option?

LeBron has a lot of mileage and is 35. I can see him being elite for another 1-2 years but age will catch up to him soon. Asking a 37 -38 year old with 20 seasons under his belt to play at an MVP level is asking a lot.

We shall see. So far time has not caught up to him and he keeps himself in excellent condition. I read an article that he spends 1-2 mill a year on his body.

I guess if anyone can do it LeBron can but we have never seen someone at age 38 play at an MVP level. When the drop happens it will be quick.

[UnFadeable21]

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[TheStig]

We shall see. So far time has not caught up to him and he keeps himself in excellent condition. I read an article that he spends 1-2 mill a year on his body.

I'd imagine LeBron is on whatever the most elite performance enhancing drugs are that exist as well in terms of keeping your body in great shape that might add a couple more years. He has slowed down a bit already, just not enough that it makes a huge difference, but he's no longer defending the opposing team's best player to save energy.

I wouldn't be surprised if he can hang on another 3-4 years. He can still be the best player on the floor, but only in spurts. He can't sustain it over a regular season (and has already given up trying), but he can turn it on for a playoffs. His playoff numbers this year were insane compared to his regular season numbers. A year or two more and he may only be able to turn it on for 3-4 games at a time. We'll see though, his endurance has been legendary so far in terms of how well he's maintained his conditioning.

I should clarify. I don't mean that he will be putting it out there 100% of the time. But like you said, in key moments when necessary. But MVP caliber doesn't mean he will win the regular season MVP. It means he will be a top 3 player when he wants to and in the playoffs like you said.

[TheStig]

LeBron has a lot of mileage and is 35. I can see him being elite for another 1-2 years but age will catch up to him soon. Asking a 37 -38 year old with 20 seasons under his belt to play at an MVP level is asking a lot.

We shall see. So far time has not caught up to him and he keeps himself in excellent condition. I read an article that he spends 1-2 mill a year on his body.

I guess if anyone can do it LeBron can but we have never seen someone at age 38 play at an MVP level. When the drop happens it will be quick.

I don't think you'll see a huge drop. I don't think he wants the Vince Carter ending. I think he'll go out as an allstar. Right after he hits 40. He'll probably have an injury or two that will have him start missing some games.

I think not being the best and not winning titles will be more of the exit than some guy who looks like Boris Diaw.

[ZOMG]

We shall see. So far time has not caught up to him and he keeps himself in excellent condition. I read an article that he spends 1-2 mill a year on his body.

I guess if anyone can do it LeBron can but we have never seen someone at age 38 play at an MVP level. When the drop happens it will be quick.

I don't think you'll see a huge drop. I don't think he wants the Vince Carter ending. I think he'll go out as an allstar. Right after he hits 40. He'll probably have an injury or two that will have him start missing some games.

I think not being the best and not winning titles will be more of the exit than some guy who looks like Boris Diaw.

I disagree. I think a Vince Carter ending is exactly what he wants. Bron seems like a guy who really loves basketball and he probably wants to prolong his career - in some form - as much as he can. This is a guy who got so hyped up at his son's HS game that he joined the layup line.

LeBron has already changed his game a lot over the years to suit his aging body. He might change it further.

[Southpaw]

Yeah I can see Lebron playing a couple more years to play with Bronny. That's only 4 years to go if i'm not mistaken and barring any serious injury he might push for it. Then he'll be off to trying to purchase an NBA team with Klutch.

[troza]

I must admit that with these rules, the way he keeps in shape, the prevalence of small ball, teaming up with all stars and being on the Lakers... he might break all the records Jordan did at 39/40, although it weren't that many. He might be the best old player ever, as Jabbar declined a lot... and Jordan was going all out with the Wizards but got injured... and I actually do not see Lebron going all out like Jordan did, practicing like a maniac against doctors indications... he will do everything to prevent injuries.

I'm one of the guys that say that longevity won't make him better than Jordan in my eyes but he does have a pretty good chance of winning more rings than Jordan did (mainly when the Clippers went for Lue... another weak coach) and be the best old player ever in the NBA. Mainly because if we look at Malone... without injuries, he can sustain his level of play... no doubt about it.

[TheStig]

I guess if anyone can do it LeBron can but we have never seen someone at age 38 play at an MVP level. When the drop happens it will be quick.

I don't think you'll see a huge drop. I don't think he wants the Vince Carter ending. I think he'll go out as an allstar. Right after he hits 40. He'll probably have an injury or two that will have him start missing some games.

I think not being the best and not winning titles will be more of the exit than some guy who looks like Boris Diaw.

I disagree. I think a Vince Carter ending is exactly what he wants. Bron seems like a guy who really loves basketball and he probably wants to prolong his career - in some form - as much as he can. This is a guy who got so hyped up at his son's HS game that he joined the layup line.

LeBron has already changed his game a lot over the years to suit his aging body. He might change it further.

Yeah, I can't see it. Bron has many other business interests and wants to own a team. He's not going to be some end of the bench role player.

[JordansBulls]

Lebron is a great player for sure top 3-4 all time and even higher. Jordan was better though. He turned a losing franchise into a dynasty. Won more titles, league mvp's and finals mvp's in shorter years in the league. Lebron hopped from three different teams with stars on multiple of those teams and two instances with 2 stars each time. He has 4 titles in 17 seasons. He won 1 title in 11 seasons with the franchise that drafted him and that with coming back and having 2 stars and even having Shaq one of those years. With forming superteams and joining multiple stars I would expect more. He also won multiple bronze medals for the USA in the Olympics and FIBA and was down at least 3-2 in every series of his career until this season and 5 years in a row with HCA 3-2 while losing 3 series in a row with it.

Also lost as the preseason favorite in each of these seasons to these teams.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2011_preseason_odds.html (Dallas 7th)

https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2014_preseason_odds.html (San Antonio 6th)

https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2015_preseason_odds.html (Golden State 8th)

[dougthonus]

I disagree. I think a Vince Carter ending is exactly what he wants. Bron seems like a guy who really loves basketball and he probably wants to prolong his career - in some form - as much as he can. This is a guy who got so hyped up at his son's HS game that he joined the layup line.

LeBron has already changed his game a lot over the years to suit his aging body. He might change it further.

It will be interesting to see what he does in his twilight years. I never a judge a guy for stepping away or from playing until no one will take them. One thing that will be interesting is if he pursues the Vince Carter ending, will he be able to change has attitude as his game declines.

LeBron has been catered to in a way that no player has ever been catered to in the past. It might be a harsh reality for him to accept his dwindling abilities and to just be a role player at some point. Will be interesting to see if he makes that mental adjustment, gives up control, power, and can become "just a guy". The way he's playing right now, if he didn't have a major injury, it wouldn't surprising to see him be able to play as "just a guy" to 45+ maybe 50.

[JordansBulls]

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/poll-reveals-one-unexpected-thing-185651037.html

According to the Navigator poll, just 27% of men between the ages of 18-34 prefer LeBron. Overall, of those who were polled, 60% said that Michael Jordan was the best basketball player of all time, with 12% preferring LeBron and 28% saying that they don’t know enough to say. Among presumptive Biden voters, 57% said Michael Jordan, and among Trump voters, 66% also said Jordan. That’s compared to 15% of Biden voters preferring LeBron and 8% of Trump voters who believe that LeBron is the GOAT. Well, Trump and Biden voters might disagree on a lot of things, but Michael Jordan being the best is not one of them.

[dice]

I must admit that with these rules, the way he keeps in shape, the prevalence of small ball, teaming up with all stars and being on the Lakers... he might break all the records Jordan did at 39/40, although it weren't that many. He might be the best old player ever, as Jabbar declined a lot... and Jordan was going all out with the Wizards but got injured... and I actually do not see Lebron going all out like Jordan did, practicing like a maniac against doctors indications... he will do everything to prevent injuries.

I'm one of the guys that say that longevity won't make him better than Jordan in my eyes but he does have a pretty good chance of winning more rings than Jordan did (mainly when the Clippers went for Lue... another weak coach) and be the best old player ever in the NBA. Mainly because if we look at Malone... without injuries, he can sustain his level of play... no doubt about it.

kobe, who was also pretty fanatical health-wise, had a major injury at 35 and was done. i anticipate that's what would have to happen in order for lebron's game to fall off a cliff

[Michael Jackson]

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/poll-reveals-one-unexpected-thing-185651037.html

According to the Navigator poll, just 27% of men between the ages of 18-34 prefer LeBron. Overall, of those who were polled, 60% said that Michael Jordan was the best basketball player of all time, with 12% preferring LeBron and 28% saying that they don’t know enough to say. Among presumptive Biden voters, 57% said Michael Jordan, and among Trump voters, 66% also said Jordan. That’s compared to 15% of Biden voters preferring LeBron and 8% of Trump voters who believe that LeBron is the GOAT. Well, Trump and Biden voters might disagree on a lot of things, but Michael Jordan being the best is not one of them.

Republicans buy shoes too.

[troza]

I must admit that with these rules, the way he keeps in shape, the prevalence of small ball, teaming up with all stars and being on the Lakers... he might break all the records Jordan did at 39/40, although it weren't that many. He might be the best old player ever, as Jabbar declined a lot... and Jordan was going all out with the Wizards but got injured... and I actually do not see Lebron going all out like Jordan did, practicing like a maniac against doctors indications... he will do everything to prevent injuries.

I'm one of the guys that say that longevity won't make him better than Jordan in my eyes but he does have a pretty good chance of winning more rings than Jordan did (mainly when the Clippers went for Lue... another weak coach) and be the best old player ever in the NBA. Mainly because if we look at Malone... without injuries, he can sustain his level of play... no doubt about it.

kobe, who was also pretty fanatical health-wise, had a major injury at 35 and was done. i anticipate that's what would have to happen in order for lebron's game to fall off a cliff

Agreed.

It was the same with Jordan, Malone and even some other guys with incredible longevity playing at a high level.

Jordan case shows that those injuries are even more devastating than not playing for 3 years. That's surreal.

[dice]

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/poll-reveals-one-unexpected-thing-185651037.html

According to the Navigator poll, just 27% of men between the ages of 18-34 prefer LeBron. Overall, of those who were polled, 60% said that Michael Jordan was the best basketball player of all time, with 12% preferring LeBron and 28% saying that they don’t know enough to say. Among presumptive Biden voters, 57% said Michael Jordan, and among Trump voters, 66% also said Jordan. That’s compared to 15% of Biden voters preferring LeBron and 8% of Trump voters who believe that LeBron is the GOAT. Well, Trump and Biden voters might disagree on a lot of things, but Michael Jordan being the best is not one of them.

Republicans buy shoes too.

i think it's a combination of democratic voters skewing younger and lebron's activism turning off the birthers

[Michael Jackson]

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/poll-reveals-one-unexpected-thing-185651037.html

Republicans buy shoes too.

i think it's a combination of democratic voters skewing younger and lebron's activism turning off the birthers

I am sure that is it but it isn’t as funny as not letting MJ love downs something decades old.

[UnFadeable21]

Lebron just passed Magic on the all time list and is now on the Mount Rushmore of Basketball

Michael Jordan 14 Seasons

6 Championships
6 Finals MVP’s
5 MVP’s
10 Scoring Titles
1 DPOY
3x Stls champ
6-0 Finals W-L

VS

Lebron James 17 seasons

4 Championships
4 Finals MVP’s
4 MVP’s
1 Scoring title
1 Ast Champ
4-6 Finals W-L

MJ Peak & Dominance while Bron longevity

[troza]

Lebron just passed Magic on the all time list and is now on the Mount Rushmore of Basketball

Michael Jordan 14 Seasons

6 Championships
6 Finals MVP’s
5 MVP’s
10 Scoring Titles
1 DPOY
3x Stls champ
6-0 Finals W-L

VS

Lebron James 17 seasons

4 Championships
4 Finals MVP’s
4 MVP’s
1 Scoring title
1 Ast Champ
4-6 Finals W-L

MJ Peak & Dominance while Bron longevity

Why did he pass Magic Johnson? I also believe that Lebron is better (by the way, I think that Bird was better than Magic until his injury got the best of him) but Magic made the finals almost every year of his career. 9 finals in 11 years and was forced to retire due to the ignorance about HIV. 5 titles, 3 finals MVP... also on a super loaded team the majority of the time and in an easy conference.

One thing I will say about longevity... the way you wrote things the differences between Jordan and Lebron are:
- 2 Champions
- 2 FMVP
- 1 MVP
- 9 Scoring titles
- 1 DPOY
- 3x Stls champ
- 1 Ast champ

Only one in favor of Lebron. If you take out the ast champ... you have an hall of fame career between Jordan and Lebron's accolates. In way less years.

So... is Lebron's longevity impressive? Yes. Should it be an advantage as big as some will say? Maybe... but it must also be seen as a disadvantage because he did so much less in so much more time. And almost no one talks about the second.