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RSS FeedWho is a better basketball player: Michael Jordan or Lebron James?
Results so far:
| Michael | 78% | 47 votes | Total: 60 votes | |
| Lebron | 22% | 13 votes |
Michael
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Add to FavoritesWhen Michael Jordan permanently retired, talks about "the next M.J." revamped again. Los Angeles Laker, Kobe Bryant was in the discussion. However, he won his titles with all-time great center, Shaquille O'Neal. Also, his on-court meltdowns and martial infidelities took the luster of that Hollywood star. NBA commissioner, David Stern needed to put someone else under the microscope.
And then, HE entered. A 6'8, 240 pound specimen from Akron, Ohio entered the league with an unrivaled, offensive array. He just finished dominating his state's basketball realm to the tune of three, consecutive championships. His St. Vincent became the first high school ever given "prime-time" billing for one of the basketball games. At 17 years-old, he was on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a high school junior. After getting over two and half years of unparalled hype for a basketball prodigy, he racked up a triple-double (double digits in three categories) against the Sacramento Kings on opening night 2003. The man who did "everything" before stepping on the court is named LeBron James.
The so-called "King" label proved premature considering his last Finals appearance in 2007. After averaging 30 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists, he and the Cleveland Cavaliers got swept by Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and four-time NBA champion, San Antonio Spurs. James received "star treatment" from defensive guru, Bruce Bowen. The cagy veteran crowded, pushed, held and shadowed the "King" through a frustrating, four games. In the end, veteran leadership and TEAMWORK won out against overwhelming ability and talent. However, the debates are still being made.
If you investigated he and Jordan's first four seasons, James' stats are better. He averaged more points, even though in 1986 Jordan had that 63 point explosion at the Boston Garden. Also, James' rebounds and assists are better as well. Overall, his career totals of 28+, 7 rebounds and almost 7 assists compared favorably with Oscar "the Big O" Robertson. But, an NBA career isn't built on the first, four seasons.
In Jordan's second year, he broke his ankle. He only played in 20% of the games. But he wasn't just a scorer. His Bulls coaches Doug Collins and Phil Jackson implored him to have a complete game. He ascended to being the NBA's best scorer, playmaker and defender. He won scoring titles and all-Defensive First Team awards simultaneously! Plus, there was the matter of him winning six NBA titles and six, Finals MVPs. He made his teammates into basketball legends. Dennis Rodman became basketball's greatest rebounder, by average per game, ever. Scottie Pippen earned the title "Most Versatile Player" in NBA history. Steve Kerr is still considered the most accurate, three-point shooter ever to play. This fact is also rarely discussed. Jordan won three, consecutive championships through 1991-1993. He retired for a year and a half. In his "full" seasons afterwards, he won three, consecutive titles again! Who else but the great Bill Russell did that? Russell won a title for every year he played. He earned 11.
Why have the debate? James has to win one title first. The Cleveland Cavaliers overhauled their roster twice to accomodate him. The "King" got his point guard (Delonte West), his perimeter shooter (Wally Sczerbiak) and a rebounding defender (Ben Wallace). Only Wallace came up short during the playoffs. For the 48 points he put on against Detroit in 2007, he failed to contain Paul Pierce from getting 45 (Game 7) in 2008. To be the best, the superstar has to be the best at every play and every second. Not just when ESPN news took interest.
Learn more about this author, Marcus Brooks.
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Lebron
Let me preface this by stating that I do not think that LeBron James is a greater player than Michael because he is not. But LeBron James is a special player like no other can dream of being. Mike never won a playoff series without Pippen, but if you look at the Cavalier rosters from over the years LeBron has had success in the regular season and post season with many different supporting players. The one player that has always been true to the Cavaliers though is the Big man in the middle. Big Z is no where near the level of Pippen and never was, but big Z is made better and more effective by having LeBron James on the court with him. Mike never had the effect on players that LeBron does and will continue to do.
Nobody and I mean nobody in the history of the game can make a player as good as LeBron James does, and nobody in the history of the National Basketball Association can fill all of the holes that LeBron James can. Actually you could make the case for Magic Johnson possibly but Magic contrary to popular belief was never a good defender. LeBron James can play positions one through four effectively, and during one game last season guarded Dwight Howard for a little while. Amazing, thy name is LeBron James.
Because the cavaliers have LeBron they can get away with playing a six foot point guard and six foot three shooting guard because LeBron can cover all of the holes that are created in that small back court. Simply put LeBron James is like a fireman on the floor. If there is a player on fire no matter the position the Cavs can put LeBron James on the that player to slow him down. If you look at last seasons game against Sacremento when Kevin Martin was lighting Cleveland up they put LeBron on him for the final quarter and the over time and he did not score again. Earlier in the season Chris Paul was lighting Cleveland up and LeBron James also put out that fire. Simply put amazing.
Mike said it himself, a player will eventually come along that can do all of the things he could but that player would be six foot eight. That player is in a Cavalier uniform, and that player can do a lot of things that mike never could. For instance LeBrons passing ability is far superior, and of course his rebounding is superior due to his size. The only thing that Jordan could do better than LeBron is score, but that is what Mike was.
LeBron James started his career as a point guard moved to shooting guard to fill that hole, and small forward where he has obviously dominated for the time being. Eventually as the athleticism fades he will move to be more of a power forward. Just imagine LeBron James started as a point guard and could finish as a power forward. Just amazing and that is something no other player could do.
Learn more about this author, Morgan Rouleau.
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