For years, LeBron James and Michael Jordan have been pitted against each other by fans and NBA experts. The fact is, nobody will ever know who's better between the two since they played in different eras. However, people can continue to make comparisons to try to at least get a better grasp of the possibilities.
1. The NBA rings
Michael Jordan has six NBA championship rings, which he won twice in three-peat fashion. LeBron James only has two.
2. The team transfer
In a report by USA Today, people generally judge James for having to transfer to Miami to win his first ring. Jordan remained with the Chicago Bulls throughout his career where he matured and developed as a great leader and championship-winning player. Jordan, however, had Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and other great support players through the years in Chicago. James stayed in Cleveland for seven years without at least one other star that could propel the team to great heights. James singlehandedly managed to bring the team to the Finals once.
3. Physical structure
Generally, James is more genetically endowed. He is taller at 6'8" compared to Jordan, who is 6'6". James is also bigger and created the so-called point forward position, being able to make plays from the arc or battle it out with the toughest power forwards or centers in the league. James was a genetic monster in his teenage years which is why he got drafted by the NBA straight from high school, while Jordan needed more time to develop before his college days.
4. Playoff performance
According to Sports Illustrated, both James and Jordan's points per game increased when they entered the playoffs. However, Jordan remains the better clutch player between the two. James has a history of collapsing during the semi-finals. Jordan is clearly tougher mentally, being able to withstand pain as shown in the historic "Flu Game" and making the most important shots at the time he needed to.
5. Aside from shooting
Michael Jordan is better when it comes to stealing the ball and setting up teammates. James is better at rebounding and assisting. When James transferred to Miami, he actually planned to be the first NBA player to have a triple double record at the end of the season. Michael Jordan won Defensive Player of the Year once, which James admitted that he always wanted to have.
So, who do you think is the real king, James or Jordan?
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