Except lebron was playing in the NBA at 18 and MJ was at North Carolina. So Lebron's numbers have a 3 year edge on MJ's.
So? No one forced MJ to stay at UNC for three years. I won't penalize Jordan for being three years behind in terms of counting stats, but it would be stupid to penalize LeBron because Jordan played three seasons of college ball. Comparing accomplishments and rate stats through the same ages is perfectly fair.
Not sure if you're serious. There's a reason it was a big deal when Kevin Garnett came into the NBA straight out of HS. Also, Kobe's all-time numbers would be a lot better if he was handed the reigns from the get go like Lebron. Let's not also forget that the reason Lebron was even handed the reigns was because of KG and Kobe and in large part GMs wondering how much more a talent like MJ could have done if he was allowed to enter straight out of HS.
Although Lebron had a couple games where he didn't come up for the team, I won't go so far as to say he choked. At least he came up big in the final two games. I know that's not enough to instantly throw away the other games but it's not like he choked every game. I would like to point some things out though. Lebron James' best PPG finals stat has been 28.6. Michael Jordan's worst by far was 27.3, and every other season he was above 28.6. In fact, his overall finals stats are 33.6 PPG, where as Lebron's is only 23. If I remember correctly, the six seasons where Jordan dominated with NBA championships, no one ever took his team to a game 7. He was 6 for 6. Won all 6 NBA Finals and was 24-11 in the Finals. Lebron is 2 for 4 and only has a 10-12 record. Furthermore, the average point differential for when Jordan's team won in the Finals was 11 points when they won and 8 points when they lost. For Lebron it's been 8 points when they won and 9 points when they lost. In other words, Jordan has been far more dominant in the Finals than Lebron has, despite playing in a much tougher era. So while Lebron is a lights out player my conclusion remains the same. He's the best player since Jordan and one of the best the game has seen, but not as great as Jordan himself.
I would also like to add that James has been swept in the finals, lost in only 5 games in another, and was taken to a game 7 in one of the ones that he won.
Point differential for teams is not too relevant when talking about individual successes. Team success in the finals is once again, hard to use to compare individual players. Most people would agree that the 90's was a tougher era, but it is hard to use that as a fact because it is an objective opinion. Saying that Jordan never played a game 7 is indicative of having a great team as well. When talking about PPG, there is so much more to a basketball player's skill than PPG. Also, a big thing about PPG is pace and true shooting percentages, which are both left out. If player A averages 25 PPG when team averages 150 PPG, and player B averages 20 PPG when team averages 80 PPG, player B would be the more impressive scorer. I am not sure your facts can support your conclusion adequately.
To be fair, LeBron went in with a team that was basically himself and role players. Him getting there was an accomplishment in itself (although the road wasn't severely difficult aside from playing the Pistons). So I think the sweep doesn't mean much really. He lost in 6 to the Mavs. A fair comparison would be to go by seasons, not by age. At least that is somewhat equivalent regardless of how each entered the league. Going by age doesn't really make sense over seasons IMO.
Conversely you could also argue that Jordan had the advantage of 4 yeas of college experience? I am not making a case for either but just pointing that out.
You could, but even if you are, I don't see how you can compare them by age when they didn't start in the league at the same time over comparing them season by season. If you want to say Jordan had an advantage because of college, then that's legitimate, but going by age really isn't a fair comparison when one has played more season than another in the NBA.
LeBron's era is way tougher than Jordan's era with new international players like Parker, Ginobili and Dirk. Compare the point guards of the 2000s vs. the pg's of the 90s Jordan's era had better PF's and thats about it.
Lebron showed up when it really mattered (finally). He/the heat deserve this ring (and the first one too). Still don't like his style though, bulldozer in my eyes. Rather watch Jordan (young or old), Kobe, healthy T-Mac, Drexler, healthy Wade to name a few. LBJ < MJ though, can't even compare. No numbers this/that etc just watch all their NBA finals games.
I agree. I was surprised how hard it was for LBJ to make a quick move to the basket. And his jumper is not as deadly as MJ's was the Finals. Dude rarely ever caught the ball and made a quick move to the hole or to gain spacing. Everything seemed so difficult.
He has gotten too big for him to make quick moves like MJ. He used to be quicker before putting on the weight. Yes MJ etc are beauty to watch. But Lebron is different, dude does almost everything, score, assist, rebound, block etc. He may not go down as GOAT depending on how many rings he gets, but dude is easily top 5 in NBA history.
The Pacers took the Bulls to a game 7 in '98. That was the only time in the six championship years the Bulls faced elimination.
I don't care what type of style is beautiful to watch. I only care about effectiveness of play if we are going to really discuss who is better out of Jordan or Lebron. You have to factor in that teams now actively plan their games against the Heat to prevent Lebron driving with double/triple teams. Every time he drives, there will be at least 1 defender in front of him and another rim protecter waiting. That's why he gets so much contact on the drives hence the "bulldozing" style of play. This used to be the only way to prevent Lebron from going off. Now with Lebron having such a good 3 point shot and mid-range game, it's pretty much impossible to stop him when he's a triple threat from all spots on the floor. His FG% percentages are still steadily improving even when teams are giving him the jumper. That should be an indication of how far he's come and to discredit him for not driving to the hoop enough is not the right way to look at it.
Not sure what your point. But you are mistaken Besides doesn't that also speak to his killer instinct in game six
