Do people honestly think that Micheal Jordan is better than LeBron James?

Debating who was better is pointless. One thing that has to be understood though is that Michael Jordan was so much bigger than the game, he'll be a household name for a century to come, just like Babe Ruth.

James Naismith, Jr. wrote:

See, this is what all Jordan fans do. They say things like "it factor", "mesmerizing", "desire", "intangibles." All those words mean nothing, and what you're describing is easily attributed to nostalgia and fantastic world-class Nike Marketing.

Actually, professional sports is nothing but entertainment so those descriptors and perception mean everything.

Why is Joe Montana considered by many as the greatest quarterback even though others have better stats? Why were movies made about Prefontaine but none about Marty Liquori?

Like it or not, personality and image define athletes at least as much as pure stats.

cheese pasta wrote:

Actually, professional sports is nothing but entertainment so those descriptors and perception mean everything.

Why is Joe Montana considered by many as the greatest quarterback even though others have better stats? Why were movies made about Prefontaine but none about Marty Liquori?

Like it or not, personality and image define athletes at least as much as pure stats.

I agree with what you say here. The Jordan IMAGE was truly a world phenomenon, one that will likely be written about in the history books 1000 years from now. As a previous poster mentioned, check out the book Michael Jordan and the New Global Capitalism.

But I'm talking about from a pure basketball standpoint. I am not trying to argue that LeBron is a bigger cultural icon. (though i wish he was because to me he seems like a much better guy than Jordan, but that's an admittedly irrelevant and mostly baseless opinion.)

James Naismith, Jr. wrote:

I agree with what you say here. The Jordan IMAGE was truly a world phenomenon, one that will likely be written about in the history books 1000 years from now. As a previous poster mentioned, check out the book Michael Jordan and the New Global Capitalism.

But I'm talking about from a pure basketball standpoint. I am not trying to argue that LeBron is a bigger cultural icon. (though i wish he was because to me he seems like a much better guy than Jordan, but that's an admittedly irrelevant and mostly baseless opinion.)

In my last statement I said "I think history may very well judge LeBron as the most skilled all-around player of all time, but that will not diminish Jordan's legend in any way." So I don't think we disagree much.

I'm in awe of LeBron's skills, but I would still rather watch Jordan play.

James Naismith, Jr. wrote:

See, this is what all Jordan fans do. They say things like "it factor", "mesmerizing", "desire", "intangibles." All those words mean nothing, and what you're describing is easily attributed to nostalgia and fantastic world-class Nike Marketing.

Did you watch Jordan play? He won six straight NBA titles, six Finals MVP awards, led the Bulls to a 72-win season - all against legendary players like Karl Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley in their prime. He was defensive player of the year once as well. But even those numbers don't tell half the story.

Even his rivals at the time like Barkley and Magic Johnson called MJ the greatest ever. Does Kobe or Dwyane Wade refer to Lebron that way?

And do you know when the most-watched NBA finals was? 1998. In 15 years, despite Lebron, Kobe, Shaq, Nike marketing, never has basketball exceeded its popularity then. Care to guess why?

I remember getting excited when the Bulls were coming on tv...Jordan had a desire and passion that could be seen in his playing. He had a personality like Tiger or Lance in his prime, simply to win nothing else at all cost. Even if you didnt like Lance watching him attack was just beautiful, or Tiger just dominating a tournament when you knew he was not going to lose. When 20 seconds were left in the game and Jordan had the ball down by 1 I would literally get excited because you knew not only would he make it but he was about to do something special.

I have the same problem with Lebron as I did with Shaq...he is just a freak. Lebron should dunk on everyone, he should blow past everyone he is twice the size of most NBA guys so when he goes to the rim its not pretty or graceful its just power. I remember watching Jordan and being in awe of his grace, his ability to "fly". Shaq acted cocky after dunking...he didnt have to jump...thats not impressive.

No matter what Lebron does in his career will I ever compare him to Jordan. Jordan was beauty, grace, power, skill, with the most killer instinct that I think can only be compared to Kobe currently. Everyone here that has played basketball for fun has tried to do Jordans "switching hands" shot in the air, his cradle dunk(on a lower rim), literally getting parallel to the ground dunking, backing someone down and do a fade away, reversal under the rim, or faking driving to the rim stopping and then driving again like he did against New York or simply telling a friend to do a "Jordan" cause we "all wanted to be like Mike"

My son who is 8 now wanted some Kobe shoes but I told him he should get Jordans because Jordan was better. I then showed him the video played to "Take My Breath Away" and right after he said, "I want Jordans"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlsvP4HJfnU

Of course I think Jordan is better.

Anyone who thinks that this whole LBJ v MJ comparison is even a legitimate question did not live through the Jordan era. Sorry, but if you've watched both of these cats you KNOW that there is no comparison at all. None.

Also, to the dude who said that Jordan would have won seven titles except for his mid-career retirement. No, it would have been eight. Both of Olajuwon's titles would have belonged to Jordan.

Pleaseeeeeee!!!!

Everyone who is idolizing Jordan is just being a fanboy for their generational guy.

I was born in 76 loved every second that Jordan played. He was amazing and changed how the world looked at the NBA and basketball in general. That is what makes him an historical player.

But Lebron at the same age as Jordan is by far a better basketball player..

The league is different now. You have super star teams playing against super star teams. In Jordan's time you had one and if you were lucky you'd have two super star players on one team.

The competition is by far better today. The athletes in the league are by far better. I'm not just talking about the superstars i'm talking about the sixth and seventh man on the team.

Jordan was amazing and if you look at what he did for the sport you could say he was greatest. But as a pure basketball player Lebron is by far better when compared to the talent he is playing against.

Here is the way it is wrote:

Anyone who thinks that this whole LBJ v MJ comparison is even a legitimate question did not live through the Jordan era. Sorry, but if you've watched both of these cats you KNOW that there is no comparison at all. None.

Also, to the dude who said that Jordan would have won seven titles except for his mid-career retirement. No, it would have been eight. Both of Olajuwon's titles would have belonged to Jordan.

I was as big a Bulls fan as there was. Went to game 6 against the Supersonics when they won the title. Lebron is better.

1# The level of competition isnt even close. Karl Malone, Stockton, Hornacek, Brian Russell and Greg Ostertag would be humiliated by a Thunder team with Durant, Westbrook, Sefalosha, James Harden and Ibaka. Same with Kemp, Payton, Detlef shrempf? and company.

#2: Better passer, defender on and off the ball, rebounder than MJ. These are not even up for debate. The level of skill in the NBA is so much higher than it was when MJ played. Even Larry Bird cant come close to comparing to Durant, Magic is no Chris Paul. The skill is not even close and Lebron shuts everyone down.

3#: Arguable who is the better scorer. Ill take Lebron right now but its close.

I see that I have met a fool here online. Nice to meet you.

Better defender on the ball than Jordan? Hasn't been born. Better scorer than Jordan? Hasn't been born.

How about Disappearing act in the playoffs? In the fourth quarter? Score: Jordan - 0, James - Care to count? How about game winning shots? Care to count? How about universally recognized by his contemporaries as head and shoulders the greatest player in the game?

Sorry, but you are both a fool and someone who obviously does not understand basketball. It's OK, you are probably a really, really good runner. Be happy with that.

Lebron is probably better than Michael but remember Michael is 50 now so he is probably not the player he was.

This is all such terrible logic. Lebron was better at the same age? That doesn't make him the greatest.

The competition is better today? Even if this were true, you forget that Jordan's innovation is what made him the greatest. He figured out how to be unstoppable in his day against everybody and anybody. He did things that had never been done before. And if you think he wouldn't have been able to figure out today's game, then you may lack a basic understanding of the game in general.

For all you youngsters, enjoy a nice highlight reel of the one and only MJ:

cut this crap about how today's players are so much more athletic than yesterday's players. Jason Kidd is 40 and stillblowing by some of today's young studs. Can Tim Duncan still compete today? Kobe has a lot of years on his legs and he's not a scrub either. There are quite a few old men still doing ok.

oldfart87 wrote:

I have the same problem with Lebron as I did with Shaq...he is just a freak.

This pretty much sums up my feelings. Lebron and Shaq are freaks of nature. Jordan at his best was supernatural. Even if the former are/were more effective players, they're not nearly as compelling to watch.

Citizen Runner wrote:

oldfart87 wrote:

I have the same problem with Lebron as I did with Shaq...he is just a freak.

This pretty much sums up my feelings. Lebron and Shaq are freaks of nature. Jordan at his best was supernatural. Even if the former are/were more effective players, they're not nearly as compelling to watch.

How is Lebron a freak of nature? He is of average height for the NBA

The aforementioned is the most idiotic post I've ever read. Either a troll or a complete moron. There is hardly a statement that speaks of any truth.

There were a lot more superstar teams in the 70s, 80s, and 90s than there are now.

The competition is by far better today????? Are you kidding me? The competition today is no where near where it was in 20-30yrs ago.

There is nothing about Lebron that is even close to Jordon. Nothing.

coach wrote:

cut this crap about how today's players are so much more athletic than yesterday's players. Jason Kidd is 40 and stillblowing by some of today's young studs. Can Tim Duncan still compete today? Kobe has a lot of years on his legs and he's not a scrub either. There are quite a few old men still doing ok.

I agree. I think the athleticism of players from the past is underestimated. Bill Russell was the 7th ranked high jumper in the world and ran a 49 second 440 with little training. If he had access to today's training methods he would easily be one of the best players in the NBA.

Roo Runner wrote:

Michael Jordan was in Space Jam. Your argument is invalid.

This