I dont know why Lebron has so many comparisions to Jordan. He plays a totally different postion, he's bigger, a more power guy, etc... Guys like Kobe and Mcgrady I feel would make a better comparison simply because of the positon they play and their size comparisons. Lebron uses alot of post up moves around the basket and doesnt play defense. Kobe and Tmac use an all around arsenal of moves and play one on one defense. Kobe has won defensive 1st team selections. Does anyone think Lebron will? I dont think it will ever be fair to compare Lebron to Jordan. Its like comparing Apples to Oranges. Anyone else feel this way? I was just thinking about this after reading some article on ESPN on Lebron becoming close to the next Jordan. Although Magic Johnson played PG, I think Lebron plays more like Magic and comparisons to Magic would be more reasonable because of their size and style of play. Maybe its just me.
LeBron's style of play isn't compared to Jordan that much, in my opinion. He's so great at such a young age, people obviously will wonder if he can eventually surpass Jordan as the greater player. But, like you say, their style of play is different. LeBron excels in transition. In the halfcourt, he relies much more on his size and power to score. Jordan had a much more sophisticated offensive arsenal -- particularly his midrange game. The only really similar aspect of their games is their ability to finish around the basket. When Jordan got close to the basket, he rarely missed -- just like LeBron. But overall, I agree Kobe's style of play matches Jordan's much more. Actually, I think Dwyane Wade plays more like a young Jordan than any player in the league.
If you want a Jordan comparison look at Dwyane Wade. The kid plays just like him, and he's perfect at it. He's not a strong 3 point shooter, he's a great driver, great at getting to the foul line, great at finishing, great mid-range game, and a pretty damn good defender. Lebron? He's not close to Jordan's game at all. He's closer to Magic, as stated. That's a much better comparison for him. Now who will have a shot at passing MJ? LeBron or Wade? I'd go easily with Wade. LeBron is starting to get cocky and that could hurt him, a lot. MJ was more of a humble guy, he would let his game do his talking. Wade is arguably better than LeBron. At the end of their careers, I just see Wade being more successful team-wise, in his leadership skills, and eventually the rings on his finger.
Well wade was also not even that heard of when he was drafted so theirs another comparison and wasnt jordan pick 6 or 5? wade came into the league and got past round 1 in the playoffs his first years. i say if he gets a more consitant shot than he will be the next Jordan. and michael was like kobe in his beginning years he shot alot, didnt pass, cocky, stubborn. so lebron might be like it. but i think lebrons hype might catch up.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheBlackMamba:</div><div class="quote_post"> LeBron is starting to get cocky and that could hurt him, a lot. </div> How would cockiness hurt him? He doesn't play selfishly. And he does a good job not forcing things, for the most part.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting VinsanityVC15:</div><div class="quote_post">Well wade was also not even that heard of when he was drafted so theirs another comparison and wasnt jordan pick 6 or 5?</div> He was the third pick -- Olajuwon, Bowie (!), Jordan <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">wade came into the league and got past round 1 in the playoffs his first years. i say if he gets a more consitant shot than he will be the next Jordan. and michael was like kobe in his beginning years he shot alot, didnt pass, cocky, stubborn. so lebron might be like it. but i think lebrons hype might catch up.</div> I assume you're referring to Jordan's second and third years (his rookie season he was a very willing passer). LeBron doesn't play anything like that.
What? Noway, Lebron's game is more like Magic Johnson or Oscar Robinson. The only guy I see closest to MJ is Kobe Bryant. Their jumpshot, drive, height, weight, and will is so similar that you can't tell the difference until you look at their face . Kobe is the closest to MJ you can get. I even thought Kobe is MJ's clone or something. About Wade being close to MJ, um....not really, Wade game is more of relying on his quickness and speed to score while MJ is more of a combination of mid fadaway jumper and dunk. Wade isn't really a good 1-1 defender because of his size. I think Wade or Lebron, once they get older, they will struggle to score because the two of them rely on driving, quickness, and power to score. These guys aren't know for their perimeter game, which is why I don't think they will ever be like MJ.
The reason people compare lebron to jordan is more about who the next face of the NBA is going to be. When Jordan left people were looking for that someone to take his role as the face of the league. It wasn't going to be shaq because people can't relate to seven footers, it was kobe for a bit but then we know what happened and now lebron is starting to go into that role. Its more about appearances than actual playing style.
^ Thats not how everyone looks at it. They say he is the next coming of Jordan. Jordan's game, passion, desire to win... I dont know.. I dont think he'll live up to it. Thats just me.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trench:</div><div class="quote_post">^ Thats not how everyone looks at it. They say he is the next coming of Jordan. Jordan's game, passion, desire to win... I dont know.. I dont think he'll live up to it. Thats just me.</div> I really believe that's it people are waitng for the next great player, its not his game because i agree with you he has a different style. People are just waiting for someone to fill the void jordan left when he retired. I think your exgerating it a bit though i don't think anyone has compared their drives to win. For lebron to suceede he'll defenetly have to step out of jordan's shadow, kobe bryant's career is often criticized based upon him compared next to jordan.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, you cant compare anyone to anyone else, LeBron is his own player, as was Jordan. They might have some similar aspects to their game, but you cant say "he is the new MJ", its just stupid.
I think that nobody's like Jordan. But still the closest is: Kobe (superb scorer, very good clutch player, good defender and his size and position and style is very much like Jordan's. Kobe shots so many fadeaways too, just like Jordan did;D). Btw: LeBron will be better than Jordan ! As you can see, he's pretty much clutch too now. Bombs away...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">How would cockiness hurt him? He doesn't play selfishly. And he does a good job not forcing things, for the most part.</div> Key word there is COULD. He's young, a lot of young guys let their cockyness think they can shoot whenever they feel. Do I see that happening to LeBron, probably not...but it's a possibility.
It's all about managing your confidence. It shouldn't be too low or too high, there needs to be a balance in order to win. As a young player, it's easy to let all the attention go to your head.
In the end, its all about the career stat sheet. It will be interesting to see at the end who has the closest stat sheet to Jordan. And for the record, Jordan was just as cocky and talked just as much trash, if not more, than LeBron. The only difference is that LeBron is doing what Jordan did, 31+ points per game but instead he's doing it with less shooting and more assists. It's not LeBrons fault that he is so good at such a young age and has so much potential.
why? The comparisons have a reason to be, and is beacuse Lebron leads the league in fast break made like Jordan did in late 80's remember that wade and kobe maybe have a similar game shooting and on the fade away, but when Jordan starts he have no good skills on the fade away but he lead the league on fast breaks made, that is the real reason of the comparison, but i think the guy is very good and is a combination of Magic in his passing ability and Jordan in the fast breaks we see what happens.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting arelis:</div><div class="quote_post">The comparisons have a reason to be, and is beacuse Lebron leads the league in fast break made like Jordan did in late 80's remember that wade and kobe maybe have a similar game shooting and on the fade away, but when Jordan starts he have no good skills on the fade away but he lead the league on fast breaks made, that is the real reason of the comparison, but i think the guy is very good and is a combination of Magic in his passing ability and Jordan in the fast breaks we see what happens.</div> Was Jordan really leading the league in fast break points, though? He might have, but I don't think that's really where he excelled. The Bulls in the 80s were one of the slowest paced teams in the league, actually. Basketball-reference estimates possessions per 48 minutes. According to them: Ranking in Pace in pre-Phil Jackson years: 1985: 21/23 1986: 20/23 1987: 23/23 1988: 23/23 1989: 23/25 During Jordan's highest scoring seasons, the Bulls were usually right at the bottom in terms of pace. That indicates they were primarily a half-court team.
you talk abou the comparisons the question is about comparisons and I answer the question is not when Jordan make his team a better basketball team , but the comparisons clearly have a reason to be and are the fast breaks the only difference is that Michael was more spectacular and Lebron made them because of his stong body, but at the end of the day they are fast breaks period.By the way another reason are the numbers Lebron put in this season are numbers that are just meet by three players in the past, one of them and the last before Lebron was Michael Jordan, there are many reasons to compare them period.
I think the fact is alot of people who make these comparisons are not very... basketball-minded people. WHile they may follow teh game, I don't think they are that much into it. I'm referring to a good portion f the bandwagoners who I often see around my way. I agree with Brasco in that its more of the face of the NBA comparison, and there is a clean supertsar that everyone knows who will undoubtedly be successful. I also agree with NTC187 that you cannot compare anyone to anyone else(but I have to say, you can't compare anyone now to any previous generation). I definitely think Kobe and Wade are the most similar to Jordan right now, but I think LeBron will be our generation's Jordan for sure. LeBron will just have that impact on the game. I don't think it will be on the same level as Jordan (but who knows?), but most definitely it will be proportional to Jordan's. Despite Kobe's sucess, drive and flat out skill, I don't think he can be named as this generation's Jordan. Jordan was that...all encompassing face of basketball(as previously said). LeBron will be that person for our generation of the league.
sure I also think that Lebron is lebron and should not be compared to nobody but the media is the one who makes these comparisons and the question is about what do you think about the comparisons i see basketball like from 1980 and im just telling that the numbers and some aspects of the game have similitudes in some things, thats all.
