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espn is probably already lining up the talking heads to decide if he is the GOAT. i can't stand espn. anyway,
debate:
what would jordan's stats look like playing in todays nba vs the late 80's-90's nba?
what would lebron's stats and game look like playing in jordan's era?
i know what i suspect would happen, but i like to read other peeps opinions.
My opinion is pretty simple
Put LeBron in Jordan era: Jordan Better
Put Jordan in LeBron era: Jordan Better
Jordan is the GOAT, nothing I've seen from anybody other than maybe Shaq in 2000 can approach MJ's prime, LeBron included. When all is said and done, LeBron will be a top 10 all time player, but MJ is on a pedestal by himself... and rightfully so
If you put Lebron in Jordan's era, I don't think I could put him ahead of Jordan, but I think he would clearly be the #2 player in the league. His body/skillset combination is too ridiculous to drop any lower than that.
Putting MJ in today's era, hmmm... I would say MJ and Lebron would be a dead heat. I think salary cap issues, luxury taxes etc would have prevented the Bulls from maintaining their elite talent level for 6 out of 8 years ( Same for the Magic era Lakers and Bird era Celtics ). Without the supporting cast, if he wins 3 rings instead of 6 then his legacy isn't the same.
Also the Jordan of this era wouldn't have the enormous athleticism advantage that he has over many of today's athletes. Don't get me wrong, he would still be elite athletically but there would probably be 10 guys on his athletic level today whereas in his era there was 1 or 2 maybe.
Hakeem, Shaq, The Admiral, Karl Malone, Dominique, Larry Nance, James Worthy, Julius Erving, Clyde Drexler, Charles Barkley, etc.
Jordan played with plenty of guys who would be elite athletes in any era. Not to mention he wouldn't have to deal with the hand check in today's game and would get even more superstar calls. If he wanted to, he'd easily be able to average 40/8/8 in today's game. Hell, he went for 33/8/8 on 56% shooting one year back in the day.
He has a career average of 30.1 (which includes two years in Washington when he was well past his prime). LeBron has never averaged that number for a single year. LeBron's single highest rebounding and assist averages are 8.1 and 8.6 while Michael's are 8 and 8.
More scoring, better defense, better leader, better winner. LeBron is a sensational player, so don't get me wrong. But he's no Michael Jordan
this is the single biggest reason why the GOAT argument is pretty lame in my opinion. lebron could avg 30/10/7-10 if he really wanted to. he doesn't. he isn't driven the same way mj is/was. however, talent wise i think it is closer than alot of folks in the 'mj will never be touched camp' think.Quote:
Originally Posted by SWedd523
i like the cross era comps alot though. it is a much more enjoyable debate.
bismack biyombo
Agreed.Quote:
Originally Posted by CorbKicks8
10CHAR
Here are my thoughts:
MJ is way more likeable, a way better brand, and much easier to root for.
On paper alone: a little more LeBron
On intangables alone: easily MJ
Complete package: MJ: sum of his parts > sum of LeBron's
On why I, amoung many Americans, would wish MJ's career look nicer than LBJs ultimate resume:
LeBron is way too sensitive, he has shown himself over the years to have the need to be liked by everyone. Older NBA fans like their Stars to be a certain way, outside of competence alone. I don't have to tell you about the nasty, and firey rivalries that went on from the 80s and 90s that shown a sort of venom on the court we couldn't take our eyes off of, and we miss that type of culture (at least 90s for me). LeBron's complete brand, especially in the eyes of his haters, in no way embodies the old NBA. In many ways, LeBron is a pioneer in the new "hugs and kisses" and "we love eachother" NBA. I know about how Charles and MJ played golf before big rivalry games, just like LBJ and KD train together on the off-season...but the older pair were assholes, and we liked our asshole league. I honestly believe Skip Bayless when he claimed that LBJ wanted to befriend KD and train with him in order to bring that friend to friend comfort to a big game. He has NEVER had to see Kobe, the biggest asshole (and probably biggest alpha-male) in a play-off game. In a marque, "everyone-watching" type game btwn Kobe and LeBron (all-star game)...Kobe threw LBJs 4th quarter deamons in his face, his words and his presence were too much for LeBron in that final play situation, and the body language on that final possesion said it all. Kobe and Garnett are form the old-school, and hearing the smack talk of Garnett, with his giant pair, on those prime Cs teams DID shake LeBron. That does not conjure up memories of how MJ, Miller, or Barkely would've reacted.
He has had numerous incidents showing how insecure he really is (even for an a super-star in the social media age):
He was visibly and self-admittedly angry for an entire season out of frustration of sports fans' and NBA player's reaction to "the decision," which he also admitted, affected his game-play.
He childishly took a shot at Americans, during his press-conference following his Finals loss to the Mavericks, suggesting most of them were less important than he is and his life is better than theirs.
He went out of his way to conceal a video of him being dunked on by Crawford at a basketball camp (can't remember if Jordan or Jamal), which I find as something ridiculous to fret over, let alon conceal.
He is the only player in NBA history to have a custom made headband, which he has already moved to the upper-part of his head to conceal his baldness (you could call him a pioneer).
He has earned tremendous respect as a basketball player, and he will finish his career as a top 5 legend: but there is something to be said about where this "ill-found" disdain for him cam from. I find it nauseating to see a superstar, like LeBron, with everything going for him, be so mentally fragile about his public image. LBJ is the new-school culture, and the NBA will follow where he goes (he has already had that impact on the dunk contest). We miss our mean and tough NBA culture, and we don't want to see a sensitive man be the face of the league...whether it's fair or not.
LeBron is the most hated athlete ever (maybe) for the most stupid reasons. Dunno why people don't like Bron. If anything people shouldn't like Kobe for all those allegations and nonsense that went on when Shaqaclaus was in LA
They hate him because he's just too damn good! At the end of his career he'll be known as co-goat.Quote:
Originally Posted by CorbKicks8