by Philip Melton

Created on: October 23, 2010   Last Updated: October 26, 2010

In the history of the NBA, there have been a slew of players that received the label, "Greatest of All-Time."  Wilt Chamberlain had his 100-point game.  No one has scored more points in a career than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.  Bill Russell has more championship rings than he has fingers.  And then there is Michael Jordan.  On a list of the NBA's greatest players, some argue he is still in a league all his own.  Jordan built a career by first imitating his favorite player, Julius Erving.  Now, millions of young basketball players attempt to become professionals by imitating him.  Lebron James once fell in that category.

At first glance, Lebron James has a skill set similar to NBA legend Magic Johnson's.  For his size, James has excellent ball-handling skills and great court vision.  However, when James goes on the offensive, the aggressiveness he displays reminds me of a young Michael Jordan.  The one glaring difference between James and Jordan, James uses his size and strength to score in the paint.  Jordan, on the other hand, would rely on finesse with a bit more frequency than his high-flying dunks.  This only added to the mystique that was Michael Jordan the player.

While Jordan's play gained him much notoriety, it was his ascension in pop culture that defines his legacy.  His popularity led to what could be considered the beginning of the endorsement boom for professional athletes.  In his playing days, Jordan earned more off-the-court than in the NBA.  His name and likeness helped to sell shoes, hot dogs, cars and batteries.  He even starred in a Saturday morning cartoon.  The market for Jordan pitched products grew immensely as his name was known worldwide.  He singlehandedly changed the income stream for all professional athletes, including Lebron James.

As a player, Michael Jordan commanded attention from opposing defenses.  He also had fans and non-fans alike buying any product with which he aligned himself.  Lebron James will never have the opportunity to have such an impact on society.  Jordan began a lucrative era for professional athletes that still exists to this day.  I highly doubt it is James' goal to achieve Jordan's level of success professionally.  Well, he may want to win a championship or two, but that's probably about as far as his desire goes.

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