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| "Only Time Will Tell" |
I’ve been saying it for the past couple of years! Then finally Scottie Pippen said it last week after the Heat dusted off his Chicago Bulls. “LeBron James is a better player than Michael Jordan”. Everybody thought Pippen was crazy when he made that statement. I heard several guys in the media say he has a ax to grind with Jordan etc. The guy played with Jordan and can see!
I was in high school right outside of Chicago in Gary, In. when Jordan came into the league in 1984. People are only seeing Jordan as the guy who became the greatest player to ever laced them up after winning 6 NBA championship rings, multiple MVP’s and several Defensive Player Of The Year Awards etc.
No, I’m talking about the guy that came into the league from North Carolina that couldn’t shoot nor go to his left. That guy! At 26 years old Jordan didn‘t have a complete game and LeBron at 26 did. That means that for the sake of this argument anything that Jordan accomplished post 1989 doesn't exist because he would have been older than 26 years old. Remember, Jordan spent 3 years in college playing under one of the best coaches to ever coach the game in Dean Smith. He also played with multiple NBA players including James Worthy.
LeBron came out of high school into the NBA and averaged 20 points a game right out of the gate at only 18 years old. By his second year he was averaging 27 points a game at only 19 years old. Jordan was in college at the same age and wasn‘t even the man on his team, James Worthy was. By Jordan’s second year in the league he was averaging 28 points per game but keep in mind that he was 3 years older than LeBron was during his second year because he went to college.
In 2002 the year before LeBron was drafted to the Cavs that were 17-65. Just five seasons into his career with Cleveland he led them to a franchise best record of 58-13. Jordan didn’t do that within his first five years with the Bulls. Keep in mind that Jordan didn’t win his first title until 1991 when he was 28 years old bruh. That’s 7 years after he came into the league and he spent three years in college.
LeBron didn’t go to college so Jordan was naturally older than him at the same point in his career. So again I say, LeBron is far better than MJ was at the same age. Let me be clear! At this point in their careers LeBron is a better player. The numbers don’t lie!
LeBron at 26:
Jordan had no 3 point shot and couldn’t go to his left. I’ve been saying it for years. I made the same comment about Kobe vs. Jordan when he came into the league.
Jordan at 26:
See when Jordan finally became “Jordan” he was head and shoulders above the rest of the NBA in terms of athletism. Nobody could do what he could do. That’s why he looked so amazing at the time. Now in my opinion, there’s at least 1 guy per team with the athleticsm of Jordan in the NBA. So when we see guys like Kobe or LeBron it’s hard for us to say that they are as great a player as Jordan was because he was the only guy doing what he was doing. The only guys that were close to Mike’s athleticsm was Dominique and Clyde Drexler. Now there are guys all over the league that can get down athletically.
Give LeBron some time once he wins multiple rings, which he will, then people will get off of Jordan’s jock and understand what I’m saying. Remember Kobe is only one ring shy of Jordan now. He’ll make that one up before his career is over or pass him all together. Then, in my opinion, the argument will be, who’s the best ever, Kobe or LeBron?
Holla At Ya Boy!
Jay Graves
Peace JG... Nice post bro. I just wanted to add the fact that comparisons are always devoid of a couple of key facts. First off, we are not comparing apples to apples. The game is different, far less physical, and the teams that surround...ed the two in the subject are like night and day. In addition, the successor has had the luxury of being molded in the image of the predecessor. How much of MJ's game came from Doc/David Thompson/etc? How much of Kobe and LBJ's game came directly from Mike?? Mike didn't go to his left alot, I agree, but let's be real, it was'nt as big a deal as it is today. He could light up most guards/forwards off the first step even if they knew he was going right. His style of play was alot more aggressive and involved alot of change of direction and spacing. The game evolved because of that and Mike had to adjust. Let me say this....Lebron is a tremendous athlete. I will say he is probably as good , or maybe even a better athlete at 26 than was MJ...... but all around player?? In terms of significance, Mike opened the door that allowed room for the Kobe's and Lebrons of the world. Talent wise, they are both right there, but the mental aspects/inmaturities that are shaping their images and careers are what will keep them from entering that classified air space.....See More
ReplyDeleteUm...what numbers are you looking at? The rings and finals MVPs don't lie either!
ReplyDeleteYour comments are off because of your limited perspective." - Kareem Abdul Jabbar. LMAO
ReplyDeletelast year this time it was Kobe , lebron aint won anything , plus he will never be better than jordan, because Jordan never lost a final and he was finals mvp every time
ReplyDeleteOh by the way @Ash Jordan didn't have Multiple rings or MVP's at 26 years old. He hadn't won a title yet either. The numbers are ppg, asst etc. Lebron is 2 yrs ahead of Jordan in winning a title if they win this year. But if they don't at 26 he's done more than Jordan did at 26!
ReplyDeleteNah, cuz can't give you this one. LBJ may be younger, but he is playing in a watered down league. Although the athleticsm of the league may be better, the fundamentals of players today are pathetic. The league was much more competitive in the late 80's and 90's. The reason Kobe dominates the league is because he mastered the fundamentals, same thing with Tim Duncan. Lebron is mediocre jump shooter and if doesn't improve this area, his game will fall off when the springs in his legs go. See Dwayne Wade in about 2-3 yrs. Look how Dirk is playing now, his game has involved. When Mike could no longer jump over everybody, he went down to the post. He was smarter than his opponent and had more will to win. And let's not even go on heart, LBJ packed his bags and left his throne to be Dwayne's sidekick in Miami, we all know Mike would never have left Chicago to play with Charles in Philly or Ewing in NY. Finally, can we please wait until Lebron wins a championship before we annoint him? It cracks me up how we are so fast to say someone is great before they actually accomplish anything. Career averages of 30.2 ppg, 6 Finals MVP's, 5 Regular season MVP's, Defensive Player of the Year..sorry it's not even close. Maybe if LBJ wins a few championships and truly leads his team, which is questionable since Miami is still Wade's team, then we maybe we can talk. But for now, MJ is the G.O.A.T., hands down.
ReplyDeleteI keep saying it at 26 years old LeBron game is better than Jordan's game at 26 years old. I don't why people can see that. Blows my mind. Holla
ReplyDeleteWhen Michael Jordan came back to the game...Every newspaper in the country announced "HE RETURNS"........, THE STOCK MARKET WENT UP!
ReplyDeleteJay.....You Sleeping... In the words of SPIKE LEE..."WaaaaaKe Up!
'NUFF SAID'
UN......
Let's get this clear! First of all Lebron is not the best player in the league TODAY! Let alone all time, how about Kobe? Today Kobe has more everything than Lebron. Number 2, Lebron is not even the best player on his team. That title goes to Wade & that's why Lebron packed his bags up & went to player for him. I don't think your argument should be based of just the numbers b/c at the end of his career, Lebron will not have the same numbers. The league is not set up that way today. San Antonio proved that this year. Teams are not getting quality player b/c a lot of players are coming into the league without going to college and that has hurt the game tremendously! So Lebron is not going to face teams like Wlikens Hawks, Birds Celtics, Thomas's Pistons, Barkleys Sixers, Magic Lakers, Drexlers Trailblazers, Malones Jazz, Olajuwons Rockets, Shaqs Magic, Millers Pacers, Prices Cavaliers, Ewings Knicks. The league does not have a lot of great teams today, they have a few good teams. And last but not least, let's see Lebron take off 2 yes to play another sport & comeback and dominate like Jordan!!
ReplyDeleteEverybody that keeps commenting that LeBron won't have better numbers than Jordan when it's over. Must've had terrible grades. I never said that LeBron would be better than Jordan when it's all said an done. I said that at 26 years years old LeBron was better than Jordan period. There's no arguement there. At 26 LeBron has clearly accomplished more than Jordan. Take your heart out of it. Just like Kobe at 22 was far better than Jordan. Jordan went to college for 3 years and wasn't the best player on his college team bruh! Holla At Ya Boy! I love this!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to make this simple for you guys! Anything past 1989 for MJ doesn't exist. We're talking about both players at 26 years old. So the titles etc haven't happened yet. Why can't you understand that? Otherwise let's enroll in comprehension 101! Lol
ReplyDeleteMr. Graves, your usually on points with some of your post, but this right here is soooooooo far left. Who cares that Michael couldn't go left that shows just how much more talent he is, and to score all the points he did without having that one extra point in a three pointer-yeah that speaks volumes! Now I am a die heart fan of the game, but not only a fan but a baller. So I say this Lebron is not better than Michael at anytime, any point or any place. Lets just be frank, Michael paved that rode, that Lebron is gracing. I am a avid believer that Success is when Preparation meets Opportunity. If it had not been a Micheal there may not be a Lebron. Michael open doors for other black ball players, scouts are always looking for the next Michael. His name is echoed on every concrete court in the hood. Michael game, talent and skills have prepared Lebron to take it to the next level. No I am not saying that Micheal created basketball, because of course there were the Dr J's, Magic's and so on and so on. But I am saying he breath new life into it, he for sure re-invented it. I mean hell he had me believing that I could be the first woman in the NBA! At the end of the day the stats don't show or tell how he was the first to glide from half-court to the hoop, the stats don't provide his raw talent, skill and flare! Jordan open the stage for Lebron to take it to next level, gave him something to reach for, something to accomplish, so it would only seem right that Lebron would reach his potentials and the milestones at the time, point, place and age he did. Lebron is taking a ride on the road that Jordan has paved! Logically it don't even seem right to compare Jordan and Lebron based off stats. Jordan has always stood in a spotlight of his own, when has Lebron ever not shared the spotlight, I mean D-Wade, Kobe, Rondo, Pierce they are all right there bringing it as well! To keep it 100, we all know guys that never have played one game of college or professional ball, but yet they are a beast at the game. We will never know their stats, they will never score 65 points in a game single handed in front of millions of fans. They won't win championship or sport a ring. I can attest for a kid name Lil Shawn, brother only had one arm, after a bike accident could only go right, and yet no one could guard or stop him! No one will ever know his stats or what age he could have achieve them at. The point is Jordan is a better player and and his talent was far beyond Lebrons. Ten or twenty years from now, no one is going to care about how many points Lebron surpasses Jordan or what he over achieved him in, what they are going to care about is how the player made them feel when they watch him play and that right there is stats-less! Seriously Mr Graves your comparing apples and oranges, and when it comes to these two fruits, sorry bruh but they not even in the same basket! Stay bless!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great article and one of THE most compelling arguments as of yet in the Jordan vs. James saga. It's difficult to compare, even with the numbers, because I consider LBJ an evolution of Mike. However, sport scientist that you are, I can certainly appreciate and understand your technical approach :) ...LONG LIVE MJ!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know when you wrote it, but you were wrong then too! Lol!
ReplyDeleteLOL you guys can't argue because that post up there isn't about the whole career it's about MJ and LBJ when they both are 26!!!why don't you guys accept it LBJ is far better then MJ at the age of 26.LBJ accomplished more then MJ did at age of 26 (no one can argue on that).this argument is about LBJ at age of 26 and MJ at the age of 26.In conclusion LBJ is better player then MJ at the age of 26 and accomplished a lot more then MJ did at the age of 26.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see someone actually Read the Entire post! Most jus saw Lebron Better than Jordan & Jus flipped out! They missed the part about at 26!lol We all kno that Lebron isn't better overall bc MJ is the GOAT! But no 1 can argue that at 26 LBJ had accomplished more! Well they can argue but the Numbers speak for themselves! As far as Kobe, Well Lebron didn't have Some guy Named Shaq (arguably the most Dominating Force of his Era) to lean on! People forget Shaq had the 1st 3 Finals MVP's Not kobe!
DeleteWe all Kno that MJ is the Greatest Of All Time! & I'm the biggest MJ & #UNC fan! But The Post Clearly states that Lebron better than MJ at 26! If u look at wat Jordan Had accomplished at 26, I don't see why everyboy is mad! Bc its true! Now if he had said Lebron is Better than Jordan PERIOID, would be the 1st to object! Not sure if its a Lack of Objectivity or simply the overall Hate for Lebron! But the post is quite accurate, the hate for lebron jus makes people Blind to wat Lebron has done! When u think about it, the Only thing Lebron has left to do is win a title! But when he does it will be "well he hasn't won multiple Titles! Lebron will never get the credit he deserves! AND THIS IS FROM SOMEONE WHO IS NOT A LEBRON FAN! I jus call it like I see it!
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