The age-old debate about who the greatest player ever is in basketball history might never get us a definite and precise answer. Given the fact that there have been several players that have either defined generations or have revolutionized the league including LeBron James and Michael Jordan.
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Since its inception in the late 1950s, the game has been transcended beyond our imagination.
Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Julius Erving, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, MJ, and so on and so forth paved the way for athletes of the 21st century.
And right at the emergence of the 21t century, we have been grateful to witness the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, LeBron, Dwayne Wade, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and numerous other talents like themselves.
The aforementioned names have defined a certain era of basketball, setting the standard for future generations themselves. And while the question of who the consensus ‘GOAT’ is will always vary depending on person and preferences, there are two unequivocal answers.
MJ and LeBron. These are the first two names that rush through every NBA supporter’s mind when that specific question is asked.
Jay Williams once stated LeBron James would dominate Michael Jordan!
There can never be one specific argument to provide us with the solution for the question of who’s better between the pair, considering there are multiple factors that differ when comparing the two.
Era, Scoring prowess, opponents, and environment, are just some of the factors that will never grant us the opportunity to compare the two. However, to determine who is better, we can always have a good old-fashioned one-on-one. Certainly according to Jay Williams.
Williams once stated to former NBA player Jalen Rose that the ‘King’ would dominate Jordan in a 1vs1 game between them. Williams said-
“You cannot tell me in a one-on-one game though that LeBron James wouldn’t dominate Mike. LeBron James 6’9 260lbs..you can talk about his mentality, but we’re not talking about 5v 5 basketball J Rose, we’re not talking about the passive LeBron making the right play, are you protesting this argument’?
Jalen Rose made quite a compelling argument for Michael Jordan on the other hand citing-
“Did you just say into a microphone that LeBron James would beat Michel Jordan in a one-on-one? ONE-ON-ONE? Michael Jordan was all defensive first team nine times, LeBron James was five times. Michael Jordan led the league in scoring ten times. TEN. LeBron James led the league in scoring once. Talking about a guy that’s been the best offensive player and the best defensive player.”
It is certainly an intriguing question to ask, given that we will never witness such a historic moment ever take place.
LeBron James vs Michael Jordan!
The argument for James being labeled a superior ball player will not occur during the next ten years, considering that the analysts in question are former players who were supporters of Jordan during his ascendance or witnessed his greatness firsthand.
The four-time NBA champion will be paid his due, in the decades to come when the players of tomorrow grace the NBA. Not to mention his unimpressive Finals record of four victories and six defeats.
