It’s an age-old debate. Who’s the best basketball player to ever play the game? Names like Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Russell often float around. But the most hotly debated names are Michael Jordan and Lebron James.
Michael Jordan is the greatest of all time. I don’t discount James, but Jordan is better because of how he brought the game to the public, his legacy and his overall ability to clutch in the heat of the moment. Jordan won more in a shorter time than James, highlighting his greater skill in the sport.
“Michael Jordan’s the best,” said freshman Mathis Poon. “He introduced the game to everyone … [and his] way of playing was a lot more revolutionary, like his midrange game.”
Both Jordan and Lebron had their respective peaks; for Jordan, his statistical prime is widely considered to be his 1987-88 season and for James, it was in 2012-13. The respective stats in these seasons are this: in 1987-88, Jordan averaged 35 points, 1.6 blocks, 3.2 steals, 5.9 assists, and 5.5 total rebounds (1.7 offensively and 3.8 defensively), according to Basketball Reference. He was the most valuable player, defensive player of the year, All-Star, All-NBA first team and All-defensive first team. In 2012-13, James averaged 26.8 points, 0.9 blocks, 1.7 steals, 7.3 assists and 8.1 total rebounds (6.8 defensively and 1.3 offensively). That year, he won the finals, was named the Most Valuable Player, or MVP, finals MVP, runner up for Defensive Player of the Year, All-Star, All-NBA first team and All-Defensive first team.
Jordan’s individual statistics were arguably far more impressive during this period, averaging almost ten more points and an extra block and steal. However, James was more offensively versatile compared to Jordan, having almost three rebounds and an assist extra per game compared to Jordan. James also had more to show for it, winning the finals compared to Jordan’s failure to make it.
Some would say that James is still a better player.
“James elevates his teams,” said freshman Rohan Gupta. “Jordan doesn’t do that and James’s proven he can.”
However, two of James’ four finals wins came when he was on a superteam with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh and one was in the Covid-19 bubble with Anthony Davis, which many say wasn’t a true championship. The final was albeit quite impressive, effectively reverse sweeping the Warriors dynasty in their prime. Though this is true, Jordan, even after his short retirement, went on to win the second of two three-peats in 1996-98. The first was in 1991-93. He also won 2 MVPs, 3 Finals MVPs and All NBA/Defensive first teams. This proves Jordan’s consistency and superior ability to lead his team. His continued dominance is striking in a way that no other player can claim similarly.
“The difference between Jordan and Lebron playing is that, when Jordan played, he played by himself,” said freshman Jordan de Perio. “He made his superteam [while] Lebron joined one to get good.”
Despite this, some feel James is a better individual player.
Despite this, some feel James is a better individual player.
“I think James would win one on one,” said freshman Clark Colglazier. “But Michael Jordan is a better team player.”
One of the biggest stats people look at when determining the greatest player of all time in basketball is finals appearances and wins. James has many more appearances compared to Jordan, with a total of ten compared to Jordan’s six. Although this is true, Jordan was better in the clutch, as he was undefeated in the finals as opposed to James’ six losses.
Both players had crazy accomplishments in their primes that changed the course of basketball. Their play styles are different, and they are both great players.
“Michael Jordan just played more fluently,” Colglazier said. “James was a little more robotic.”
Overall, Jordan can lead his team better and has more to show for it. He is a stronger scorer, defender and has the ability to win under high pressure. A more dominant player in his prime, his skill in those areas far outshines James, fully displaying his superiority to James.
