LBJ at 23 vs MJ at 23

[Moranis]

Unless Lebron actualy jumps leaps and bounds in: Shooting, Defense and Closing out Games comparisons between MJ and LBJ is pointless.

I do agree with Nick that Lebron was more mature and more NBA ready from ages 18-22 but 23 and up i dont see Lebron even getting close to the potential of MJ, the closest thing we have had to Michael Jordan is Kobe Bryant and in my opinon its quite close between those two at age 30.

Lebron is a better shooter than MJ at their respective ages.  Lebron is also every bit the clutch performer that MJ was at their respective ages.  You are correct about defense.  1 out of 3 isn't bad.

Lebron is a better shooter than MJ at their respective ages.
No he wasnt, in both technique and talent Michael Jordan at 23 was a better pure shooter than Lebron.

Lebron is also every bit the clutch performer that MJ was at their respective ages.
I said nothing about being clutch, i said closing out games. this comes back to shooting again. everyone knows that Lebron can make those offbalance, driving head first into trafic, circus shots down the stretch but it dosnt mean squat when your that poor a preformer from the free throw line. Case and point what happend yesterday.

oh and before i forget, 0 out of 2 isnt to bad.

MJ's 2 PT% through his 23rd year was 50.32%.  His 3 PT % was 17.64%.  His FT% was 85.01%

LBJ's 2 PT% was 50.01%.  his 3 PT% was 32.42%.  His FT% was 72.82%.

Obviously MJ was a better foul shooter, but they were nearly identical from 2 point range, while LBJ was a significantly better 3 point shooter than MJ.  MJ certainly improved his outside shooting as his career went on and finished as a 32.7% three point shooter, but he was a pretty [dang] bad outside shooter early in his career.  He was pretty much a take it to the hole kind of player and didn't really become the offense force until he learned how to shoot the ball from the outside.

You are superimposing MJ at 27-29 and recalling him the same way at 23 and that just wasn't the case.  MJ matured greatly as he gained experience.

[dark_lord]

no recognition for gathering and posting those stats....thx guys

[xChopsx]

MJ without a doubt. Stats is a big thing in sports and comparing players, but now adays its different to tell. Even though LB gets 30 points, 7 rebs, and 5 asts. That it great in basketball now. Basketball play was completely different in the 80's and early 90's.

MJ will be better even when LB retires. LB might have more points, etc.

Kobe bryant is in that conversation as well. I believe Kobe will be a better player then LB when his career is over.

[ManUp]

MJ without a doubt. Stats is a big thing in sports and comparing players, but now adays its different to tell. Even though LB gets 30 points, 7 rebs, and 5 asts. That it great in basketball now. Basketball play was completely different in the 80's and early 90's.

MJ will be better even when LB retires. LB might have more points, etc.

Kobe bryant is in that conversation as well. I believe Kobe will be a better player then LB when his career is over.

Lebron surpassed Kobe last season, in my humble opinion. The only thing that Kobe does better than Lebron is shoot a jumpshot. Kobe's defense is so vastly overrated, he's an above average defender, but all defensive team I don't think so. Kobe isn't better than Magic or Bird let's just drop Jordan.

[Roy Hobbs]

MJ without a doubt. Stats is a big thing in sports and comparing players, but now adays its different to tell. Even though LB gets 30 points, 7 rebs, and 5 asts. That it great in basketball now. Basketball play was completely different in the 80's and early 90's.

MJ will be better even when LB retires. LB might have more points, etc.

Kobe bryant is in that conversation as well. I believe Kobe will be a better player then LB when his career is over.

Lebron surpassed Kobe last season, in my humble opinion. The only thing that Kobe does better than Lebron is shoot a jumpshot. Kobe's defense is so vastly overrated, he's an above average defender, but all defensive team I don't think so.

I think "hot Kobe" is probably a little better than "hot Lebron", but on average, I agree that Lebron is the superior player right now.

I think at the end of his career, though, for him to be considered better than Kobe he needs to win a ring or two.

[housecall]

MJ without a doubt. Stats is a big thing in sports and comparing players, but now adays its different to tell. Even though LB gets 30 points, 7 rebs, and 5 asts. That it great in basketball now. Basketball play was completely different in the 80's and early 90's.

MJ will be better even when LB retires. LB might have more points, etc.

Kobe bryant is in that conversation as well. I believe Kobe will be a better player then LB when his career is over.

Lebron surpassed Kobe last season, in my humble opinion. The only thing that Kobe does better than Lebron is shoot a jumpshot. Kobe's defense is so vastly overrated, he's an above average defender, but all defensive team I don't think so.

I think "hot Kobe" is probably a little better than "hot Lebron", but on average, I agree that Lebron is the superior player right now.

I think at the end of his career, though, for him to be considered better than Kobe he needs to win a ring or two.

I disagree with your last statement. Kobe has to win 1 or 2 championships as the leader on the Lakers first.If LB leads his team to more championships than Kobe from this point on then its a different story.I can't count Kobe's championships with Shaq as a measuring piece in this.

[ManUp]

MJ without a doubt. Stats is a big thing in sports and comparing players, but now adays its different to tell. Even though LB gets 30 points, 7 rebs, and 5 asts. That it great in basketball now. Basketball play was completely different in the 80's and early 90's.

MJ will be better even when LB retires. LB might have more points, etc.

Kobe bryant is in that conversation as well. I believe Kobe will be a better player then LB when his career is over.

Lebron surpassed Kobe last season, in my humble opinion. The only thing that Kobe does better than Lebron is shoot a jumpshot. Kobe's defense is so vastly overrated, he's an above average defender, but all defensive team I don't think so.

I think "hot Kobe" is probably a little better than "hot Lebron", but on average, I agree that Lebron is the superior player right now.

I think at the end of his career, though, for him to be considered better than Kobe he needs to win a ring or two.

I agree with you a hundred percent Roy. Kobe's 81pts in a game can't be questioned. Let me put it like this though if I had to put my money on one of the two in a 7 game series where the teams are equally matched all-around. I'll pick the young buck Lebron to pull it out.

Career wise Lebron definitely needs a ring or two, but statistically Kobe probably won't hold a flame when it's all said and done. Lebron will probably end up closer to MJ status then Kobe, but I don't think Jordan can realistically be beat in the all time list.

It's amazing how dominant Jordan was from the get go, and six titles(he could of had 8 if it weren't for early "retirement"), basically back to back isn't likely to happen again any time soon. To surpass Jordan you have to be as dominant. By dominant I meaning he would basically have to win to the point where it was a forgone conclusion he'd win every year. I say neither player can or will surpass Jordan realistically.

[xChopsx]

Lets just say either way, MJ will be the best player when both Kobe and LB retires. Maybe not stats wise, but overall I believe. MJ averaged 30ppg his career didn't he?