Over the
past weeks & days there have been many outlets and people debating the LBJ
vs. MJ debate topic. It’s been many thoughts and opinions from many on the
topic from names like Scottie Pippen, Michael Wilbon, Stephen A. Smith. There
are certain arguments that can be made on both sides. I feel it’s time for me
to let my full opinion be known.
The debate has grown tremendously
now that LeBron James has reached 7th straight NBA finals &
passed Jordan on the all-time playoff scoring list. I personally feel that the
two can’t be compared at all for a variety of reasons. They each have
advantages and disadvantages but they each play the game 2 totally different
ways. I won’t try to put so many numbers because the comparison is truly an eye
test not a statistic test in my opinion.
Defensively MJ is a better on ball
defender than LBJ. LeBron has made legendary chase down blocks (i.e. 2016 NBA
Finals chase down block on Iguodala in Game 7) because of his uncanny timing
ability and his length and explosiveness. LeBron doesn’t lock down defenders as
well in 1 on 1 situations as Jordan. Jordan didn’t have the body type and
strength as LeBron to be able to hold positions versus bigger opponents. MJ was
better on the perimeter with ability to play passing lanes, anticipate
opponents moves, and his speed and quickness. To MJ even having a Defensive POY
on his resume.
I would definitely want the ball in
Jordan’s hands during the last 10-15 seconds of games because Jordan has NEVER
been afraid of taking that last shot or making the necessary play. LeBron has
never really been that type of player with that killer instinct mentality when
the game is on the line. I’ll make a defense for LeBron on this case because
Michael didn’t ALWAYS take the shots either whether it’s been John Paxson,
Steve Kerr, or Scottie Pippen, Michael hasn’t ALWAYS taken the shots. LeBron
has had Ray Allen & Kyrie Irving take clutch shots as well. I would just
want the ball in Michael’s hands because he’ll never shy away from the moments
and he has made a ton of clutch shots throughout his career.
I won’t really put team
accomplishments (i.e. rings) in this debate mainly because it takes a team to
win titles and it’s way too much emphasis put on how many titles a single
player has won. In my opinion titles don’t necessarily mean a player is or
isn’t great. While a player’s greatness can contribute to a title he’s not the
sole person winning the title. It takes a host of guys playing their part and
coming together as one to win titles. But what I can compare LeBron vs. Michael
play in the NBA Finals. Advantage Michael NOT because of the 6-0 in finals, NOT
because of the never going to a game 7, Mainly because of Michael never had
moments where he had a complete meltdown like LeBron’s 2011 NBA Finals vs.
Mavericks. Michael was one to have his best games during the NBA Finals
including the 1997 “Flu Game” during game 5 where MJ dropped 38pts. LeBron’s
2015 & 2016 NBA Finals were remarkable averaging a near triple-double in
2015 & achieving the feat during the game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals. LeBron
had his best finals moments last year by being major part in the first ever 3-1
comeback in NBA Finals history.
LeBron has court vision compared to
Magic where he could get all his players involved and could play more of the
point forward position due to his ability to see the open man and make crisp
passes to those open men. While Michael isn’t a bad passer in his own right
LeBron has more of a willingness to share the basketball.
LeBron has the bigger body type at
6’9 260lbs vs MJ who played at 6’6 220lbs. LeBron body type enables him to play
more of the power game and exert a different type of physicality than MJ. LBJ’s
body type and more physicality style of play allows him to be more versatile on
both ends mainly the defensive end of the floor where LeBron had more of the
strength and presence to deal with bigs when needed more than Michael. LeBron
has more of a physical presence than MJ even though both play in the post at
times LeBron is more physical playing there.
The REAL debates we should be having
is Kobe vs. Michael & LeBron vs. Magic. I think those should be the true
debates because in each conversation the comparison is very similar in styles
of play on the floor. Michael & Kobe played very similar styles in terms of
moves, killer mentality, on ball defending & PURE scoring ability. Magic
& LeBron play similar styles as far as passing ability, ability to play in
the open floor, run the offense from the point, & ability to achieve
triple-doubles.
At the end of the day LeBron vs.
Michael isn’t the real debate in my eyes.
