Michael Jordan (first 6 years): 32.8 PPG 6.3 RPG 6.0 APG 3.3 TOPG 28% on three point field goals .7 points per field goal attempt LeBron James (career, 6 years): 27.5 PPG 7.0 RPG 6.7 APG 3.3 TOPG 33% on three point field goals .8 points per field goal attempt So, what is apparent from these stats is that Jordan scored more while being slightly less efficient at scoring and shooting a worse three point percentage. James rebounds better, records more assists and the same amount of turnovers, giving him a better assist to turnover ratio. And all of this is while Jordan is 3 years older with the highest level of college experience. Would be good if someone could post advanced stats.
I still take Jordan, especially with a game on the line. Hell in the NBA today if there was 1 second on the clock and down by two, I could think of at least 4 or 5 people I want shooting those FT's before Lebron.
Jordan didn't take many 3's. Even hitting 33% of them will make you a more efficient scorer. However, Jordan in his 6th year did take a lot of 3's (3/game vs. his usual 1/game) and shot .376. His FG% was astounding for a wing. First six seasons: .515, .457, .482, .535, .538, .526 Those are PF type %'s. That said, I do think there's a great argument that LeBron is better at this stage in his career than Jordan was. He singlehandedly took his team to the finals. He's a lot bigger and stronger, but I don't think as dominant. Jordan had about thirty 50 point games, LeBron has 8 so far.
you think jordan would be as dominant if he just entered the league now? or see LBJ go up against BIRD??? you cant compare them... coz of the era's they entered the league in
Jordan was better at everything. He was a freaking master of the game. Whatever he wanted to do, he did
Well they might if better stats were quoted - they aren't pace adjusted, for example. Hard to compare. Qualitatively, Jordan might be better because I hate him much more
How long did it take Jordan before he got to the playoffs or the finals? Lebron has already been to both places. I still take Jordan though. He just willed his teams to victory more than anyone else.
Well Lebron was fresh out of high school. Maybe you should take Lebron's last 3 vs. Jordan's first 3.
how many teams like the Pistons did Lebron have to go through when they went to the finals though? I know you still said you'd take Jordan, but there is a little bit different talent level of the conference from the east back then, to the east when Lebron went to the finals.
if you want to go into that then you have to add part of his 4th year cause Jordan only played a few games his 2nd year.
PS Jordan scored more in his first (full) 3 years than Lebron's last 3 years. (even witht the 22 ppg average bringing him down in his injured year)
I think Jordan and James are very, very similar in caliber. I'd give Jordan the edge on defense through his early career over James, but I think James has been slightly better on offense. Just as dominant a scorer and a slightly better passer. Jordan was a great passer, but James is even better. The main thing is that Jordan remained at an absurdly high level for so long, even as his athleticism waned slightly. James has essentially matched Jordan's early career, which is amazing, but can he make the transition to mirror what is sometimes called the "Jedi Jordan" stage of Jordan's career...where he used basketball intelligence and modified his game to off-set losses in athleticism. James hasn't yet had to deal with lessened athleticism and that's always a tough transition to make without getting a bit worse.
How was Jordan less efficient? Has a better efg% and TS% than lebron does over their first 6 seasons. I remember during the 88-89 season, Jordan was asked to play PG for a stretch of games. Can't remember now if it was due to an injury to someone else or what, but he ran the point for the Bulls, and had 10 triple doubles in 11 games. He had 7 in a row, and then missed on the 8th game, I believe, because of not enough rebounds, and then another 3 more in a row. He was simply amazing, and could do whatever he wanted on the court.
lol I used to like him. Until all this crap he has pulled lately with the playoffs and the Nike dunk tapes. I don't remember Jordan being a prick like that! He was always classy as far as I remember. I was a lot younger in the Jordan era though.
