Is it less reasonable to say "Jordan is clearly greater than LeBron" or "LeBron is clearly greater than Jordan"?

[Kingsway_fan]

Neither comes close to Wilt... who still holds more NBA records than both of them combined....

[HEAT33]

There was never a real case for Lebron over MJ.

The media was just trying to push the idea for views, but all real fans and people who know basketball know MJ wins hands down.

Even Nick Wrights knows it, but just says crap to stay relevant.

[prophet_of_rage]

Poorly worded poll. Some people are going to pick which is true ignoring that the question asks which is not true.

Jordan has two three peats. Lebron doesn’t have anything close to that despite a whole career spent ring chasing.

Jordan is in a class by himself. Lebron is in a class with Duncan, Kobe, bunch of other guys.

Kobe and Duncan are not in the same class as LeBron. Just stop.

Yes they are. You just stop.

They are also in a conversation with Jordan. Jordan had an exclusive period where the old talents had retited and the salary structure didn't allow for all star teamups. If the Bulls hadn't locked up Pippen at below market value then MJ likely doesn't have the three peats.

If you just talk talent they are in the conversation.

Sent from my SM-N970W using Tapatalk

[SecondTake]

I think it's less reasonable to say Jordan was clearly better when LeBron has a more well-rounded game.

Westbrook has a more well rounded game. Pippen is more well rounded. Jokic more well rounded. CP3, Harden and the list goes on. I guess theyre all better than MJ.

[Lalouie]

so the topic,,,YET AGAIN, is who's better
only you're just playing musical chairs with the words

if i was a cellar team i want lebron. if i want to win rings i want mj.

i believe i just gave both equal and fair due

each circumstance requires phenomenal talent and one player is better at his thing than the other

[MVP1992]

- How many ways can "who's the GOAT, MJ or LeBron?" be asked?

- If all the threads asking who's better out of these two were merged, how many pages would there be?

I'm a relative noob to this forum and I'll guess there's 180+ threads and 1200 pages.

Edit: I wouldn't be at all surprised if I'm out by a factor of 10.

[Zvaart]

Poorly worded poll. Some people are going to pick which is true ignoring that the question asks which is not true.

Jordan has two three peats. Lebron doesn’t have anything close to that despite a whole career spent ring chasing.

Jordan is in a class by himself. Lebron is in a class with Duncan, Kobe, bunch of other guys.

Kobe and Duncan are not in the same class as LeBron. Just stop.

Yes they are. You just stop.

They aren't.

He is up there with MJ.

[BoatsNZones]

Your poll results have the answer…

LeBron’s career is tarnished by multiple failures.

Jordan’s career was almost flawless.

The only argument for LeBron is longevity.

But do I really want a goat based on longevity? No. I’d have to put a Karl Malone in the top 5. Which is not gonna happen either.

I highly disagree with this. Jordan gets this weird pass for losing in earlier rounds of the playoffs (and not even playing in the NBA) that nobody else gets, let alone Lebron James. It's just completely overlooked and washed away. All to build up this mythological idea that he was some perfect, infallible superhero that never failed to will his team to victory.

Anyways, to stay on topic if I had to pick, I'd say the latter is less than reasonable. But it's also a pathetically thinly-veiled question. I mean, just come out ask people who they think is better.

Who knows, maybe you'd win a prize for making the 1000th thread about it? What say you RealGM?

Your first point makes no sense. MJ is no different from other All Timers who could not win it all until he had a serviceable team around him. Lebron gets some credit for making the Finals with a Cleveland cast before being swept, but that wasn’t Jordan’s East. He was not going through Birds Celtics or the Bad Boy Pistons to get there (and absolutely could not have).

[SinceGatlingWasARookie]

I started watching NBA slightly before Bird and Magic arrived.

I did not want Jordan to be better than Bird and Magic. But Jordan better.
1984 playoffs 12 games of Bernad King was probably better than any consecutive 12 playoff games by Bird or Magic. And I was a Celtic fan. 1984 Celtics won the championship but Bernard King took them to 7 games.

Now withme taklking about a players best twelve games, i am clearly a peaks guy not a longevity guy.
LeBron has two things over Jordan, longevity and stats. i dont care about longevity.

I am not as impressed by LeBrons passing as most are. LeBron has been as ball dominant as the most ball dominant point guards.
Draymond Green can compete with LeBron for assists while having the ball only a third as much as LeBron. Who Draymond has to pass to is context.Context matters.

LeBron has rebounds. LeBron is bigger.

The most important thing is efficient scoring. LeBrons stats say he is the more efficient scorer, but comtext matters.
The entire league scores more efficiently in LeBrons era because of the space created by modern three point shooters.

So stats say LeBron. But I have seen them. LeBron wont be scoring like he did against a paint full of help defenders.I have to go with Jordan. Jordan had to take more difficult shots.

Dont mention illegal defense. Illegal defense was rarely enforced. Coaches that played to force the illegal defense call had to disrupt the whole flow of their offense.

Jordan played point guard for two months and got LeBron like assist numbers.

LeBron got more rebounds. This brings me to my next point. Jordan and LeBron might not be the best. I like how a shot blocker lowers the other teams FG percentage. They may only block a few shots a game but the altered shots that miss are numerous.

Russell, Wilt, Kareem, Hakeem and Shaq all have a case for GOAT.

Then there is Oscar who was more dominant in his era than Jordan or LeBron. The reaaon I ignore Oscar is because I dont like his era.
I dont think the Bulls win any championships with Oreplacing Jordan.

What about LeBron replacing Jordan with Pippin at off guard. That hurts the Bulls spacing. LeBron cant bring defenders outside the way Jordan could. LeBron turned himself into the better three point shooter but Jordan shot a ton of mid to long range twos. Lets replace Pippin with an imaginary player who is the best of Pippin and the best of JJ Reddick comined. Now the spacing problem is fixed. But LeBron wont be surrounded by three point shooters. He has Reddick Pippin, Kukok who can hit wide open threes but likes to shot off the dribble and Jud Buechler who doess not play much. He has Kerr or BJ Armstrong and Paxson. Longley and Rodman are not scoring threats. Wennington can hit mid range.

LeBron mights get three championships with those teams but he wont get six. The packed in defenses and hard hand checks will reduce his scoring efficiency.

What about Jordan on LeBrons teams. Do LeBrons teams need his passing or can they pass as a team? Jordan as point forward works just fine. I am not worried about Jordan defending small forwards. That would make his teams faster. Jordan is faster. On defense at snall forward I prefer Jordans speed to LeBrons size. But LeBron played some power forward. Jordan cant play power forward so some big scrub gets more playing time.

I think Jordan would be an even more unstoppable efficient scorer on LeBrons teams than he was on the Bulls. Modern rules, you cant touch Jordan. Jordan could learn to flop. Then you have modern court spacing for Jordan to feast on. I think Jordan gets one more championship with LeBrons teams than LeBron got.

I am using my subjective interpration of context to negate LeBrons stats advantage. I saw what I saw. Jordan on a modern team would just toy with the defenses. Very subjective but I have LeBron closer to Bird and Magic than he is Jordan. Jordan is the GOAT non center but there is a chance that one of the centers should be the GOAT.

[Onlytimewilltel]

Weird poll. You guys all keep asking the same damn question. This wording doesn’t make it original lol. Whew

[Dino353]

I started watching NBA slightly before Bird and Magic arrived.

I did not want Jordan to be better than Bird and Magic. But Jordan better.
1984 playoffs 12 games of Bernad King was probably better than any consecutive 12 playoff games by Bird or Magic. And I was a Celtic fan. 1984 Celtics won the championship but Bernard King took them to 7 games.

Now withme taklking about a players best twelve games, i am clearly a peaks guy not a longevity guy.
LeBron has two things over Jordan, longevity and stats. i dont care about longevity.

I am not as impressed by LeBrons passing as most are. LeBron has been as ball dominant as the most ball dominant point guards.
Draymond Green can compete with LeBron for assists while having the ball only a third as much as LeBron. Who Draymond has to pass to is context.Context matters.

LeBron has rebounds. LeBron is bigger.

The most important thing is efficient scoring. LeBrons stats say he is the more efficient scorer, but comtext matters.
The entire league scores more efficiently in LeBrons era because of the space created by modern three point shooters.

So stats say LeBron. But I have seen them. LeBron wont be scoring like he did against a paint full of help defenders.I have to go with Jordan. Jordan had to take more difficult shots.

Dont mention illegal defense. Illegal defense was rarely enforced. Coaches that played to force the illegal defense call had to disrupt the whole flow of their offense.

Jordan played point guard for two months and got LeBron like assist numbers.

LeBron got more rebounds. This brings me to my next point. Jordan and LeBron might not be the best. I like how a shot blocker lowers the other teams FG percentage. They may only block a few shots a game but the altered shots that miss are numerous.

Russell, Wilt, Kareem, Hakeem and Shaq all have a case for GOAT.

Then there is Oscar who was more dominant in his era than Jordan or LeBron. The reaaon I ignore Oscar is because I dont like his era.
I dont think the Bulls win any championships with Oreplacing Jordan.

What about LeBron replacing Jordan with Pippin at off guard. That hurts the Bulls spacing. LeBron cant bring defenders outside the way Jordan could. LeBron turned himself into the better three point shooter but Jordan shot a ton of mid to long range twos. Lets replace Pippin with an imaginary player who is the best of Pippin and the best of JJ Reddick comined. Now the spacing problem is fixed. But LeBron wont be surrounded by three point shooters. He has Reddick Pippin, Kukok who can hit wide open threes but likes to shot off the dribble and Jud Buechler who doess not play much. He has Kerr or BJ Armstrong and Paxson. Longley and Rodman are not scoring threats. Wennington can hit mid range.

LeBron mights get three championships with those teams but he wont get six. The packed in defenses and hard hand checks will reduce his scoring efficiency.

What about Jordan on LeBrons teams. Do LeBrons teams need his passing or can they pass as a team? Jordan as point forward works just fine. I am not worried about Jordan defending small forwards. That would make his teams faster. Jordan is faster. On defense at snall forward I prefer Jordans speed to LeBrons size. But LeBron played some power forward. Jordan cant play power forward so some big scrub gets more playing time.

I think Jordan would be an even more unstoppable efficient scorer on LeBrons teams than he was on the Bulls. Modern rules, you cant touch Jordan. Jordan could learn to flop. Then you have modern court spacing for Jordan to feast on. I think Jordan gets one more championship with LeBrons teams than LeBron got.

I am using my subjective interpration of context to negate LeBrons stats advantage. I saw what I saw. Jordan on a modern team would just toy with the defenses. Very subjective but I have LeBron closer to Bird and Magic than he is Jordan. Jordan is the GOAT non center but there is a chance that one of the centers should be the GOAT.

Dude you really are just tossing around opinions, cause you are out of your mind if you think anyone is stopping LeBron from getting to the basket and finishing in Jordan's era. If anyone feels LeBron is the best ever such as myself there is nothing wrong with that.

You cant sit here and degrade LeBron playing longer than Jordan, he's been doing it 19 years straight and counting and never took a hiatus just cut the would've could've should've. I've been fortunate enough to see both and my eyes tell me LeBron is a better basketball player. He takes less shots than Jordan, and has been to twice as many Finals there really is no argument.

[The Rebel]

Kobe and Duncan are not in the same class as LeBron. Just stop.

Yes they are. You just stop.

They aren't.

He is up there with MJ.

No he's not, people who have watched the league for the last 40 years argue he doesn't even belong in the top 5.

[Dino353]

I started watching NBA slightly before Bird and Magic arrived.

I did not want Jordan to be better than Bird and Magic. But Jordan better.
1984 playoffs 12 games of Bernad King was probably better than any consecutive 12 playoff games by Bird or Magic. And I was a Celtic fan. 1984 Celtics won the championship but Bernard King took them to 7 games.

Now withme taklking about a players best twelve games, i am clearly a peaks guy not a longevity guy.
LeBron has two things over Jordan, longevity and stats. i dont care about longevity.

I am not as impressed by LeBrons passing as most are. LeBron has been as ball dominant as the most ball dominant point guards.
Draymond Green can compete with LeBron for assists while having the ball only a third as much as LeBron. Who Draymond has to pass to is context.Context matters.

LeBron has rebounds. LeBron is bigger.

The most important thing is efficient scoring. LeBrons stats say he is the more efficient scorer, but comtext matters.
The entire league scores more efficiently in LeBrons era because of the space created by modern three point shooters.

So stats say LeBron. But I have seen them. LeBron wont be scoring like he did against a paint full of help defenders.I have to go with Jordan. Jordan had to take more difficult shots.

Dont mention illegal defense. Illegal defense was rarely enforced. Coaches that played to force the illegal defense call had to disrupt the whole flow of their offense.

Jordan played point guard for two months and got LeBron like assist numbers.

LeBron got more rebounds. This brings me to my next point. Jordan and LeBron might not be the best. I like how a shot blocker lowers the other teams FG percentage. They may only block a few shots a game but the altered shots that miss are numerous.

Russell, Wilt, Kareem, Hakeem and Shaq all have a case for GOAT.

Then there is Oscar who was more dominant in his era than Jordan or LeBron. The reaaon I ignore Oscar is because I dont like his era.
I dont think the Bulls win any championships with Oreplacing Jordan.

What about LeBron replacing Jordan with Pippin at off guard. That hurts the Bulls spacing. LeBron cant bring defenders outside the way Jordan could. LeBron turned himself into the better three point shooter but Jordan shot a ton of mid to long range twos. Lets replace Pippin with an imaginary player who is the best of Pippin and the best of JJ Reddick comined. Now the spacing problem is fixed. But LeBron wont be surrounded by three point shooters. He has Reddick Pippin, Kukok who can hit wide open threes but likes to shot off the dribble and Jud Buechler who doess not play much. He has Kerr or BJ Armstrong and Paxson. Longley and Rodman are not scoring threats. Wennington can hit mid range.

LeBron mights get three championships with those teams but he wont get six. The packed in defenses and hard hand checks will reduce his scoring efficiency.

What about Jordan on LeBrons teams. Do LeBrons teams need his passing or can they pass as a team? Jordan as point forward works just fine. I am not worried about Jordan defending small forwards. That would make his teams faster. Jordan is faster. On defense at snall forward I prefer Jordans speed to LeBrons size. But LeBron played some power forward. Jordan cant play power forward so some big scrub gets more playing time.

I think Jordan would be an even more unstoppable efficient scorer on LeBrons teams than he was on the Bulls. Modern rules, you cant touch Jordan. Jordan could learn to flop. Then you have modern court spacing for Jordan to feast on. I think Jordan gets one more championship with LeBrons teams than LeBron got.

I am using my subjective interpration of context to negate LeBrons stats advantage. I saw what I saw. Jordan on a modern team would just toy with the defenses. Very subjective but I have LeBron closer to Bird and Magic than he is Jordan. Jordan is the GOAT non center but there is a chance that one of the centers should be the GOAT.

Dude you really are just tossing around opinions, cause you are out of your mind if you think anyone is stopping LeBron from getting to the basket and finishing in Jordan's era. If anyone feels LeBron is the best ever such as myself there is nothing wrong with that.

You cant sit here and degrade LeBron playing longer than Jordan, he's been doing it 19 years straight and counting and never took a hiatus just cut the would've could've should've. I've been fortunate enough to see both and my eyes tell me LeBron is a better basketball player. He takes less shots than Jordan, and has been to twice as many Finals there really is no argument.

If you want to sit here and degrade LeBron I'll do the same with Jordan. Jordan never beat a real dynasty, Jordan never had to deal Isiah,Magic,Bird, or Hakeem in the 90's. Jordan had the best team in the 90's, best coach,best rebounder, and best two way player in the game aside from Hakeem in Pippen. Cut the nostalgia, that is what all these Jordan fans are stuck on. LeBron making 8 straight Finals is just as impressive as Jordan's runs.

[Warriorfan]

Depends on your criteria. IMO championships is one of the more objective criterias

[Asianiac_24]

Peak wise it can go either way. It’s just that LeBron has way more years at or near his peak. Only argument MJ has is off the court stuff ie. Fame, impact on the sport, etc

[Sgt Major]

MJ is in a universe of his own. Everyone else can be compared to other players.

[Dunk93]

I don't think that it isn't less reasonable to clearly say yes that Lebron is not greater than Jordan.

[Onlytimewilltel]

MJ is in a universe of his own. Everyone else can be compared to other players.

Then why has lebron been compared to him ad naseum now for over a decade seems like? Lol I think Jordan was better, but clearly plenty and I mean PLENTY do make the comparison and have them as top 2 overall.

I personally don’t like comparing eras really it doesn’t seem fair; and also the big fellas seem to not get their fair share in these discussions. Guys like Wilt and Kareem certainly can make their claim, but it’s all about the flashy wingmen I guess.

[HEAT33]

Ppl need to stop trying to compare him with MJ.

I think they should compare him with Magic, Kareem, Kobe, Duncan’s of the world. As Lebron is in that tier and MJ is in a tier of his own.

[The4thHorseman]

Poorly worded poll. Some people are going to pick which is true ignoring that the question asks which is not true.

Jordan has two three peats. Lebron doesn’t have anything close to that despite a whole career spent ring chasing.

Jordan is in a class by himself. Lebron is in a class with Duncan, Kobe, bunch of other guys.

Jordan definitely is in a class by himself. The only superstar who needed to load manage for 20+months in his prime.