Jordan, or James, who's the G.O.A.T.?

in #sports7 years ago

There has been a lot of debate lately on Lebron James, and if he has surpassed Michael Jordan as the greatest basketball player of all time. To me the answer is a definite no, I'm not saying Lebron isn't great, just that he isn't the greatest....yet. By the time he retires he may be, but right now he isn't.

Lebron can take over a game, he can pick apart a defense and make everyone around him play at a higher level, but the problem is when the pressures at its greatest Lebron will on occasion meltdown. His style of game isn't like Jordan's, and that's what has held him back in my eyes. Lebron would rather make a pass to a teammate when the games on the line, rather than take the shot. That isn't a bad thing, but when you're the greatest player on the planet you take the shot. Lebron is amazing, we haven't seen another player like him before, but he's missing that killer instinct that Jordan had. I don't know if Lebron will ever develop that, and even without it with his physical abilities he can still become the G.O.A.T.

Lebrons career thus far

Lebron has averaged 27.1 ppg for his career, 28.2 ppg in the playoffs, 3 championships, 3 finals MVPs, 4 regular season MVPs, rookie of the year, 13 time NBA all star, 2 time all star MVP, 11 time all NBA first team, 2 time all NBA second team, 5 time all defensive first team, 1 time all defensive second team, and 2 gold and one bronze medal in the Olympics. With Lebron having a few good years left these numbers will change, so who knows how many more championships and MVPs he can tack on.

Jordan never hesitated to take the big shot, even at Carolina. When Jordan encountered an opponent he could not overcome he would work on his flaws til he had the upper hand. Jordan could own both ends of the court, I'm not sure we will ever see that again. I remember watching the finals against the Suns, Barkley was my favorite player, but no one could stop Jordan. The Piston's figured him out, they pounded him, but Jordan came back the next season stronger. Watching Jordan, you always knew something special was about to happen, even the flu, something that would put most of us in the bed, unable to move couldn't stop MJ. For now Jordan is at the top, Kobe couldn't overtake him, and its unknown if Lebron can.

Jordan's career

Jordan averaged 30.1 ppg during the regular season and 33.4 ppg in the playoffs for his career, 6 championships, 6 finals MVPs, 5 regular season MVPs, rookie of the year, 14 time all star with 3 all star MVPs, 10 time all NBA first team, 1 time all NBA second team, 9 time all defensive first team, defensive player of the year in 88, and a two time gold medalist in the Olympics.

No doubt Lebron is the most physically gifted basketball player I've ever seen, and I have no doubt that he can dethrone his airness, but that hasn't happened yet. I feel fortunate to have been able to watch two of the greatest ever, if not the two greatest ever, play the game. Who would you have at the top, Jordan, James, maybe someone else?

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