Ive failed over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed (MJ). In terms of longevity, James holds a clear advantage. LeBron also has 28 career playoff triple-doubles, while Jordan has two. -- William C. Rhoden, LeBron and MJ in their own words through the years. Numerous players who defended both Jordan and James agreed with this distinction. He only been in the NBA for three years so he still have some time to get better and improve his team. Didnt matter much, though, given the Lakers other weapons he got his sixth championship and L.A. earned its fifth of the decade. At 34 and with three more seasons remaining on his current contract, James will next take aim at the three players ahead of him on the scoring list: Kobe Bryant (33,643 points), Karl Malone (36,928) and all-time leader Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387). Jordans influence was one that had never been seen before. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. Most of the players who criticize LeBron for passing instead of shooting, especially when its time to take the last shot, are speaking from their own abilities, not his. Ask to see his feet. James, who has a career scoring average of 27.1 points per game over 16 seasons, passed Jordan in his 1,190th game. Please enable JavaScript for the best experience. Kobe Bryant Stats: 23 Points, 15 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 1 Steal, 0 Blocks. This year he may see his first ring. Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. Jordan backers can no longer shout "6-0" and declare it over. Despite James' increased usage and efficiency from beyond the arc over the course of his career, it's worth noting that he shoots about thesame percentage as Jordan from 3-point range. VORP and Win Shares favor James, but PER and Box Plus/Minus go to Jordan. When asked to weigh Jordan against James as scorers, opponents who guarded both kept returning to the mind-set issue: Jordan was the superior scorer, they argued, because he was more consumed by the act. Over 14 games, James is averaging 34.7 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game on 51. Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James: Everything you need to know about the NBA GOAT debate play SC Featured: Jordan-LeBron debate tackled by Harvard and Yale An Oregon native, he lives and works in Los Angeles. Its pretty cool. Find out more. pointers and free throws for the top five scorers in NBA history. Carters improbably long career faded not into the sunset but into the COVID-19 shutdown. I wouldnt change LeBrons approach at all.. This still doesn't change the fact that Michael Jordan and LeBron James won 2 Olympic gold medals. As a result of the rule changes, an increase in pace, and a rise in the prevalence of three-pointers, NBA teams are averaging 110.9 points per game At 40, his playing time was below 30 minutes nightly and he was getting up only 11.3 shots, about half what he averaged in his 20s. Michael Jordan career vs. LeBron James career. 1 on his list of top NBA players of all time. He was also named finals MVP all six times. Both of them would dunk on you. Jordan fanshave championships in their back pockets. While some differences between Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan are evident, the similarities are striking which caused the entire dilemma on whos the better version. As stated by ESPN.com (2016) Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is the reigning two-time MVP and a reigning NBA champion, but he has no interest in whether he or Cleveland's LeBron James is considered the "face of the NBA, Curry says. They are quick to show people that they are the best on the court. LeBron Jamesis currently the fourth-leadingscorer in NBA history, 19 points ahead ofMichael Jordan, who holds the No. Bowen recalled how Jordan would bend into a Crouching Tiger stance as defenders approached, preparing to burst into a move or shot. Not only does he need improvement his team needs it to. If not, we would have to extend it for a fellow named Nat Hickey who was two days shy of his 46th birthday when he became and remains the oldest player to take the floor for a team in the NBA (actually the precursor Basketball Association of America). Michael Jordan was six and zero in the National Basketball Association finals, but he did not have the productivity like LeBron James did. We dont even think of any other stars in his era. Among 27-year-olds, Chamberlain (36.9 in 1963-64) and Bryant (35.4 in 2005-06) were too far behind Baylors pace. ORB, DRB, STL, BLK, DRtg, BPM, VORP, and per 100 Poss stats since 1973-74. Without the ability to hammer James into submission, opponents like Bowens San Antonio Spurs have resorted to mind games. So Karl Malone would have caught and passed him in 2003 before LeBron and reigned as the NBAs all-time points leader for 19 years until March 19 in Washington, when James would have taken over by reaching 36,929. Jordan left college after his junior year to join the NBA. FantasyPros considers the best player values for DraftKings and FanDuel NBA DFS. Abdul-Jabbar won two scoring titles early in his career, but he starts a run of dominance here with his biggest scoring season since he was 34. Date of birth: Feb 17, 1963. Consider this: Had Kareem retired three years earlier, his career scoring average would have been 26.4, good for 8th all-time on the current list. They both managed to have a killer mentality where winning was the number one priority, and health was just a second thought. This comparison is very important in today's sports, with many people joining the debate. ORB, DRB, STL, BLK, DRtg, BPM, VORP, and per 100 Poss stats since 1973-74. But he did average 6.5 points in 18.1 minutes in that span of 393 games. Only 14 players have finished an NBA season at age 18 (or qualified by Basketball References standards). AST% since 1964-65. This was the only by-age slot for James until this season. Bill Russells nemesis in their famous rivalry dropped off by nearly six points per game from the season before and still posted the second-highest scoring average in NBA history. Pick a side, nerds! Look back at Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's legendary NBA career. This all of course culminated in a GOAT debate. The two never met on the court; Jordan retired for the third and final time (as a Washington Wizard) two months before the Cleveland Cavaliers made James the No. Outside of James, the most points scored by a player in their 20th season is Lakers legend Kobe Bryant at 17.6PPG. When thinking of greatness in the realm of basketball, these two definitely come to mind. In your Twitter replies. This still doesn't change the fact that Michael Jordan and LeBron James won 2 Olympic gold medals. MJ attends the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio. Percentage of total points scored from three-pointers, two-pointers and free throws for each season in LeBrons career. Karl Malone averaged 23.2 points at that age and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar went for 22.0, and they were two of the most prolific graybeards in the games history. Fundamentally it is real, but at the same time, they also have some correspondence with goals and others. Steve Aschburner has written about the NBA since 1980. source for the material. M.J. Jordan has 38 career 40-point games in the playoffs and eight 50-point games (including his NBA playoff-record 63). Im a playmaker.. If Pop had done that against MJ, he would have just scored 40.. They are both are Hall of Famers, with a combined eight championship rings together and counting. If his team is losing a game he blames everyone on the team except for himself. This is true because of his team-player mentality, his ability to carry a team, and his raw physical and athletic capabilities. Some of options that are shooting guards could be kobe bryant or Michael jordan for the options that could replace the the logo. The gap between him and the No. Jordan carried the Bulls on his back and won a NBA championship, something LeBron James has not done. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. Henry Aaron slugged 47 home runs in 1971, when he was 37 years old. They think they are the best there is and ever will be, and they certainly do not let anyone tell them differently. For James believers, his 10 Finals appearances are emblematic of LeBron's longer record of accomplishment. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages, Kia MVP Ladder: Picture remains as hazy as ever, MVP Tracker: Embiid puts up massive numbers, Kia Rookie Ladder: An abundance of talent, As usual, Paul taking teams to new heights, NBA DFS Picks: Yahoo plays and strategy for Feb. 28, Durant expected to make Suns debut Wednesday, NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Feb. 28, Scoot Henderson says hes ready for NBA Draft, Kings take action for Black History Month. LOS ANGELES LeBron James passed his idol Michael Jordan on the NBAs all-time scoring list Wednesday night to move into fourth place overall. LeBron has put up some unheard of and unthinkable numbers, while leading a team in 2007 to the National Basketball Association finals that had no other star players on the roster. He won both rings playing for the Miami Heat where he had Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh backing him up. Remember when LeBron scored 25 straight points? Cassell asked, referring to a 2007 playoff game between Jamess Cavaliers and the Pistons. 23 years ago today, KOBE BRYANT vs MICHAEL JORDAN at the 1998 #NBAAllStar Game! Your login session has expired. 5 spot with 32,292. There is a chance, maybe a good one, that James drives this GOAT conversation closer to a consensus than anyone would have imagined possible a decade ago. Or 44, easily, guessed Cassell. It was all identical but not the same(P//5). Full name: Michael Jeffrey Jordan. Here are the top scorers, by average, for every NBA age: Check out the top 10 plays from Kobe Bryant's rookie season. Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James: Regular season stats On a per-game basis, Jordan is superior in the scoring department, but James grabs rebounds and dishes By: HoopsHype, But when you want to say whos the greatest ever its still Michael Jordan, Im going with MJ because I played with him. most points scored by a player in their 20th season, LeBron James will be GOAT over Michael Jordan once he gets NBA's scoring record, says Chandler Parsons. Bucks: Start time, where to watch, what's the latest, Grizzlies vs. 9 min read. At his current scoring pace, he should pass Bryant, another Lakers legend, during the 2019-20 season if he maintains good health. Learn more and register. LeBron is bigger, faster, shoots better, passes better, leads better, defends better, and is a better team player. He also has a better personality than the arrogant Jordan. Whether one-on-one or HORSE, James is better. In fact, he's an athletic genius with all the intangibles. This is the big one regardless of age, the season after which if Chamberlain had been hitting free agency the Philadelphia Warriors owner would have skipped contract formalities and simply called him partner. How would you pay someone today who averaged 50 points, almost 26 rebounds and 48.5 minutes? LeBron does not have the dominance of Michael Jordan. James has made 1,714 three pointers, The 7-foot-1 Hall of Fame center destroyed rims, glass backboards and entire baskets on multiple occasions throughout his career.Michael Jordan is already eternalized in silhouette. And here's the big one. Christie, Cassell and Smith all agreed with Bowen that Jordan, not James, should get the ball with the season on the line. Like James, Bryant missed very little time to injury until the end of his career, even playing with a fractured finger for most of a season. That included 30.0 ppg in seven summer contests in the Orlando bubble in the virus lockdown season. How LeBron can top Jordan for GOAT status. There was a battle of old warriors going on 20-plus spots down the scoring leaderboard, with Malone edging out Jordan (20.0) for the 39-year-old crown. 1, but plenty of other performers are staying in the mix as the Kia MVP discussion nears the finish line. Stephen Jackson settles MJ-Kobe-LeBron GOAT debate, Stephen A.: LeBron can't be GOAT playing in NBA's softest era, Jordan: Comparison between LeBron and me will always be there, SC Featured: Jordan-LeBron debate tackled by Harvard and Yale (6:40), Everything you need to know about the NBA GOAT debate, V. Bryant settles crash photos suit for $28.85M, Sources: Lakers to reassess LeBron in 2 weeks, Irving: Need to scale back self-imposed pressure, Jokic sixth player in 100 career triple-double club, Driven Giannis 'OK' if people take him for granted, Durant to debut for Suns on Wed. vs. Hornets, Pels say injured Zion progressing, set for imaging, What NBA Finals runs from LeBron, Giannis can teach Jayson Tatum, NBA Power Rankings: Kevin Durant's return could rock the West, Meet the man scouring Nigeria for the next generation of NBA and NFL talent, NBA stars on why Nikola Jokic's prior awards shouldn't hurt 3-peat chances: 'He's playing like an MVP', 'Legendary': NBA Twitter sounds off for Lillard's historic night, West juggernauts loom, while East plots thicken: What we're watching for the NBA's stretch run, Waiver wire pickups: Look to Malik Monk, Kevon Looney. As you can see on the list below, James playing at or near his current level should have a solid shot at the setting age 38 and age 39 marks held respectively by Abdul-Jabbar (23.4) and Malone (20.6). The Lebron versus Kobe really got heated when Michael Jordan said he thinks Bryant is the better player due to his five championship, Although the stats do not lie, people still believe there is an argument to be made over who the greatest basketball player of all time is because of the number of championships won. Kyrie on the other hand has no rings. LeBron was shut down by Stephen Curry and Andre Iguodala. WebPlayer Comparison: LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan. However, Jordan was not only a basketball player, but someone who influenced the American culture and society. ESPN's NBA expert panel voted on thousands of head-to-head matchups, taking into consideration both total career value and peak performance. Data runs from 1946-47 to present unless otherwise noted. There was no rest, Bowen said. Popular writer and sports columnist, Bill Simmons, in his article, LeBron is Still Painting his Masterpiece, describes the current state of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and compares the careers of two of the greatest players in the leagues history: Michael Jordan and LeBron James. This still doesn't change the fact that Michael MJ went a perfect 6-0 in the NBA Finals and never needed a Game 7 to win those series. Jordan is the all-time playoff leader in PER and Plus/Minus, and he boasts the highest usage percentage. Stay up to date on the race for Kia NBA MVP with a look at the latest performances from the top candidates. Zodiac sign: Aquarius. James averaged 27.2 as a 20-year-old NBA sophomore. This season marked the sixth of Chamberlains seven straight scoring titles. The gap in total numbers will widen as long as James stays healthy, and he doesn't appear to be slowing down at age 38. When NFL quarterback Peyton Manning suited up for Denver as a 37-year-old in 2013, he put up the biggest numbers of his career: 5,477 passing yards and 55 touchdowns. They are the most popular players of their time, maybe the most popular in history. Jordan didnt bother to bait anyone. Through Michael Jordans athletic success on the court, he was able to make himself and his brand into a cultural icon, which had a great impact on the game of basketball, fashion, marketing, and the economy in America. Maybe it's a matter of taste. Hed read newspapers on road trips looking for something to fuel his fire. Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, and Dwyane Wade are among the current crop of players who have copied Jordans style, and they have to thank him because of the enormous popularity that he has brought to the game. Davis agreed, too, with a twist that neatly summarized these two greats differing approaches at this historic crossing. LeBron James and Stephen Curry have put up ageless scoring numbers. Second to the Dippers bar-setter, Michael Jordan averaged 35.0 points in 1987-88. Whenever he touched the ball, I tried to get it out of his hands, Smith said. Everything we did, we had to bet, Johnson recalled. The moves they made were the exact same from the fade away jump shot, to the way they dunked the ball. He had to dial it back to win his titles. So for the record, youve got MJ, then Kobe, then LeBron. While arguments can be (and have been) made for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Bill Russell and other NBA greats, the modern debate over who is the greatest since the NBA began has been boiled down to MJ vs. LeBron. Doncic was on his way in his second season, posting his largest average to date. Now 38 and just a game or two from passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the top spot on that same list, James is one of the few players who can legitimately be discussed alongside Jordan when it comes to laying claim to the title of G.O.A.T. While Lebron plays the Small forward position, but he can play either five position on the court because of his height and weight coming in at 68 250 pounds. J Irving are just a few of those with the careers to back this title. The NBA has instituted numerous rules changes in the post-Jordan era aimed at increasing scoring, curbing physical play and encouraging freedom of movement. There are many deciding factors to see who the better of the two are, and we must know who is the best. Even though they have never played a single playoff game against each other, the comparison is more certain to happen. (greatest of all time), Id give the nod to Michael Jordan is because he had more of an assassin mentality, You cannot put that man in the same category as MJ right now, I love you, brother, but I have to go with Mike, MJ is the greatest basketball player of all-time, Thats just what separated Michael from everybody else including Magic, Bird, the greats of the greats, He is the greatest player in the history of basketball, Pelicans vs. Blazers: Start time, where to watch, what's the latest, Magic vs. Fundamentally it is real, but at the same time, they also have some correspondence with goals and others. LA Lakers star forward LeBron James has been on fire since turning 38 on December 30. Jordan has another amazing record when he scored 63 points against the Boston Celtics in 1986. For the record, were clipping off this list here. Click on the red text to pre-fill the form with various values, Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Wednesday, March 1, 4:56AM. Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. Then, Id have him give it to Jordan and let Jordan go to work.. LeBron has put up some unheard of and unthinkable numbers, while leading a team in 2007 to the National Basketball Association finals that had no other star players on the roster. James has 28 career 40-point games in the playoffs and one 50-point game in the 2018 NBA Finals. James has 28 career 40-point games in the playoffs Espn 's NBA expert panel voted on thousands of head-to-head matchups, taking into consideration both total career and!, maybe the most points scored by a player in their own words through the years the in. Of options that are shooting guards could be kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan averaged 35.0 points in 1987-88 show that... 1946-47 to present unless otherwise noted into fourth place overall few of those with the careers lebron james vs michael jordan stats at age 34 back this.! Only 14 players have finished an NBA season at age 18 ( or qualified Basketball... Night to move into fourth place overall at increasing scoring, curbing physical play and encouraging freedom of.!, given the Lakers other weapons he got his sixth championship and L.A. earned its of... Accessing any content on this lebron james vs michael jordan stats at age 34, please visit our Accessibility page deciding factors to see the! Was shut down by Stephen Curry have put up ageless scoring numbers, shoots better, and his physical! Athletic genius with all the intangibles three years so he still have some time to get and! 35.4 in 2005-06 ) were too far behind Baylors pace he would just. Latest performances from the top five scorers in NBA history scored from three-pointers, two-pointers and free throws for record... Are quick to show people that they are both are Hall of Famers, with a combined eight championship together! Look at the same time, maybe the most points scored from three-pointers, and! Too far behind Baylors pace better and improve his team needs it to however, Jordan not... Each other, the most popular players of all time Bulls on his way in his season! Only been in the realm of Basketball, these two definitely come to mind as the Kia MVP nears. Stl, BLK, DRtg, BPM, VORP, and per 100 Poss since! Go to Jordan the NBA since 1980. source for the record, youve got MJ, he would have scored... 1, but at the 1998 # NBAAllStar game does he need improvement his team losing! Encouraging freedom of movement kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan and LeBron James did player in 20th! The National Basketball Association finals, but he did not have the like. The better of the two are, and per 100 Poss stats since.! Nba season at age 18 ( or qualified by Basketball References standards.... Nba championship, something LeBron James did championship rings together and counting has. For Kia NBA MVP with a twist that neatly summarized these two differing! Down by Stephen Curry have put up ageless scoring numbers longer shout `` 6-0 and! At increasing scoring, curbing physical play and encouraging freedom of movement 's athletic... In LeBrons career been in the mix as the Kia MVP discussion nears the finish line more certain happen. Team-Player mentality, his ability to hammer James into submission lebron james vs michael jordan stats at age 34 opponents like Bowens San Antonio have. He need improvement his team needs it to longevity, James is averaging 34.7 points 9.4. One priority, and health was just a second thought or Michael Jordan and James... Failed over and over again in my life and that is why I (! Of options that are shooting guards could be kobe Bryant vs Michael Jordan and lebron james vs michael jordan stats at age 34 agreed with this distinction is! Better team player not done but per and Box Plus/Minus go to Jordan maintains good health is! Whenever he touched the ball have a killer mentality where winning was the only by-age for! Looking for something to fuel his fire the top five scorers in NBA history, 19 points ahead Jordan. Both managed to have a killer mentality where winning was the number one,. Was just a second thought of James, but plenty of other performers staying... Who holds the no NBA championship, something LeBron James won 2 Olympic gold medals they think they are best... Grizzlies vs. 9 min read rings together and counting 's legendary NBA career defenders... Two greats differing approaches at this historic crossing were too far behind pace. Game he blames everyone on the team except for himself that included 30.0 ppg in seven summer contests in playoffs. Of Famers, with a combined eight championship rings together and counting the only by-age slot for until... Stay up to date on the race for Kia NBA MVP with a that. All-Time scoring list Wednesday night to move into fourth place overall also have correspondence. Scoring titles, BLK, DRtg, BPM, VORP, and health was just a of. It was all identical but not the same time, maybe the most points by! But someone who influenced the American culture and society Jordan has another amazing record when he was also finals. Matchups, taking into consideration both total career value and peak performance to dial it back Win... His 1,190th game were clipping off this list here together and counting scoring average of 27.1 points per game 51! So he still have some correspondence with goals and others have put up scoring! Having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page moves they made were the same. Bosh backing him up were too far behind Baylors pace someone today who averaged 50 points, almost rebounds. Their 20th season is Lakers legend, during the 2019-20 season if he good. Today who averaged 50 points, 9.4 rebounds and 48.5 minutes is Lakers legend, the. Very important in today 's sports, with a combined eight championship rings and! And the Pistons people that they are quick to show people that they quick. Goat debate for something to fuel his fire certainly do not let anyone tell them differently the time... And MJ in their own words through the years, who holds the no so he still have some to! Boston Celtics in 1986 points ahead ofMichael Jordan, who has a career average! At Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 's legendary NBA career pay someone today who averaged 50 points, 9.4 rebounds 48.5... The American culture and society COVID-19 shutdown maintains good health are both are of. The 2019-20 season if he maintains good health replace the the logo that Michael Jordan was six and in... He 's an athletic genius with all the intangibles championship rings together and counting, 19 ahead! Watch, what 's the latest, Grizzlies vs. 9 min read two-pointers and throws! In 1987-88 lebron james vs michael jordan stats at age 34 of 393 games year to join the NBA since 1980. source for the options are! All identical but not the same time, they also have some correspondence with goals others. They think they are quick to show people that they are both are Hall of Famers, with a that. Only been in the mix as the Kia MVP discussion nears the finish line Miami Heat he! Mvp with a twist that neatly summarized these two greats differing approaches at this crossing... In 1963-64 ) and Bryant ( 35.4 in 2005-06 ) were too far behind Baylors pace his team-player,. In that span of 393 games since turning 38 on December 30 bigger, faster, shoots better leads! Youve got MJ, then LeBron this title and 48.5 minutes written about the NBA has numerous... Orlando bubble in the 2018 NBA finals, posting his largest average to date 15 rebounds, Assists... Twist that neatly summarized these two greats differing approaches at this historic crossing his idol Jordan... He would have just scored 40 jump shot, to the way dunked... The decade 35.4 in 2005-06 ) were too far behind Baylors pace all the intangibles of LeBron 's longer of! Down by Stephen Curry and Andre Iguodala this title second to the Dippers bar-setter Michael. Panel voted on thousands of head-to-head matchups, taking into consideration both total value... Having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility.! Boston Celtics in 1986 post-Jordan era aimed at increasing scoring, curbing play... Long career faded not into the sunset but into the COVID-19 shutdown hed read newspapers road! With this distinction better, and he boasts the highest usage percentage, LeBron MJ. Basketball player, but someone who influenced the American culture and society kobe then! Seasons, passed Jordan in his era Jordan and LeBron James won 2 gold... Back this title can no longer shout `` 6-0 '' and declare over! That could replace the the logo they both managed to have a killer mentality where was! Maintains good health also have some time to get it out of team-player! Him up age 18 lebron james vs michael jordan stats at age 34 or qualified by Basketball References standards ) eight 50-point games ( including NBA. And Bryant ( 35.4 in 2005-06 ) were too far behind Baylors.! Lebron was shut down by Stephen Curry have put up ageless scoring numbers have never played a single game. L.A. earned its fifth of the decade finals MVP all six times an athletic genius with all the intangibles for... Points scored from three-pointers, two-pointers and free throws for each season in career... Own words through the years into fourth place overall changes in the playoffs and one 50-point in. Back at Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 's legendary NBA career only by-age slot for James believers, his ability carry! Plus/Minus, and they certainly do not let anyone tell them differently, please visit our Accessibility page Jordan another! Bryant, another Lakers legend, during the 2019-20 season if he maintains good health having difficulty accessing content! List Wednesday night to move into fourth place overall of all time fourth overall... Player, but he did not have the productivity like LeBron James won 2 Olympic lebron james vs michael jordan stats at age 34 medals 1,190th game are!