Category: Sports
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Is LeBron The Greatest Individual Basketball Player of All Time?
So, here we are again debating who is the greatest of all time or what I’m hearing now, the greatest individual player of all time. Is it Michael or LeBron. Some think if LeBron wins this year and gets the Finals MVP, he will surpass Jordan…
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 17: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 17, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) Each player has a case for being the greatest. What LeBron is doing in his 17th season is awesome; leading his team to the Finals and still scoring at will. Although Michael didn’t play as many seasons (15 with a couple of retirements mixed in), he was playing at the same age and hit the game winning shot in the Finals, won an MVP and Finals MVP; I’d say that was pretty awesome too. We marvel at the greatness of James playing at 35 with no signs of slowing down and with a teammate that will allow him to continue to compete and share the load. At the age of 40, Jordan was not the same player, but still averaged 20 points and scored 40 points in a game (the oldest to do it) and when he left the Wizards they were 12 games worse in the standings.
James and Jordan are so spectacular that people can’t help but to be emotionally attached and refuse to give the other their justice. Some fans of each team try to act like the other hasn’t accomplid greatness; it is really sad that fans don’t enjoy the greatness of both players. It intensified after The Last Dance. I read tweets from sports personalities who are just dismissive of one to uplift the other; very unnecessary.
Let’s check the stats and you can decide for yourself:
Stats Jordan James Advantage Player Efficiency Rating 27.9 27.5 Jordan Points per game 30.1 29.7 Jordan Total Points 32,292 34,241 James Rebounds per game 6.2 7.4 James Assists per game 5.3 7.4 James Steals per game 2.3 1.6 Jordan TOs per game 2.7 3.5 Jordan Points per playoff games 33.4 28.8 Jordan Rebounds per playoff games 6.4 9.0 James Assists per playoff game 5.7 7.2 James Steals per playoff games 2.1 1.7 Jordan FG% per playoff games 48.7 49.4 James Playoff games 179 254 James Championships 6/6 3/9 Jordan MVP 5 4 Jordan Finals MVP 6 3 Jordan All NBA 11 16 James All Defense 9 6 Jordan All Star Appearances 14 16 James Scoring Titles 10 1 Jordan So what do you think or do you need more time?