Who is a better athlete at 23? MJ or LJ???

[KG Living Legend]

Also 2nd part of the question who is the better Defender at this age? LBJ or MJ.

Don't talk about who the better player is. We  already know who the better passer and ball handler is. Just tell me who the better athlete and defender is. Also You Must take into account that MJ was 6'6" 205 pounds.  And Bron is 6'8" 275 pounds.

[KungPoweChicken]

Michael Jordan was easily the better defender, and probably the better athlete as well.

[billysan]

Lebron will break 300 lbs in a year or two.

Jordan by far the better whatever.

[Brendan]

I'll say Lebron is the better athlete, MJ better defender.

[Roy Hobbs]

Michael Jordan was easily the better defender, and probably the better athlete as well.

Agreed.  Lebron is stronger, but MJ was a more fluid athlete.

(The question of defense isn't even close, nor is the question of better player, in my opinion.  It's MJ.  Also, it appears that the OP knocked MJ's passing skills, but keep in mind that at age 25 he was averaging 8.0 assists per game, which is higher than Lebron's career high.)

[moiso]

Yeah, MJ was a more fluid/graceful athlete, but I guess he should be considering the size difference.  If we are comparing LBJ to someone his own size it would be Karl Malone.  That just shows how freaky LBJ is.
And yes, MJ became one of the greatest defenders at his position ever, but he wasn't instantly great on that end as a rookie.  With the way LBJ has improved his D this year, these two are closer at 23 than it may seem.

[ManUp]

Defender I don't know haven't seen Jordan that early in his career. I don't know how long it took him to become an elite defender.

Athlete Lebron hands down, in my opinion. The combination of speed, power, and leaping ability is insane. Lebron is like the Shaq of small forwards. If MJ were to have a advantage atheletically it probably wouldn't be by much. Agility(body control) might be the only area I could see MJ out classing Lebron in.

It's probably like this

Leap          Lebron greater or equal to Jordan
Speed       Jordan greater or equal to Lebron
Strength    Lebron hands down
Agility         Jordan hands down

In my opinion, Lebron is a better jumper by a fair amount and just as fast, but thats from just what I've seen.

[housecall]

MJ without a doubt

[moiso]

MJ definitely had far superior lateral quickness, but again, that's expected due to the size difference.

[amenhotep04]

MJ was the better better athlete and better defender, even at 23. He definitely could out jump LJ as well.

My concern about LJ is that given his style of play, and the lack of bench for Cleveland, that he's going to be too banged up before he hits 30.

[TrueGreen]

Julius Erving, Pete Maravich

[housecall]

If LBJ weighs 275lbs. at 23 where do you think he will be at age 30 in the weight dept...if history repeats itself most NBA players gain weight as they age.Only a few stay around the same weight they started out with.

[Celtics17]

I think the more relevant question should be who is the better basketball player. At their current age I would go with Lebron. I watched MJ play he is probably the best basketball player who has ever played. But, if Lebron ever learns to close games out the way MJ did then he might actually surpass MJ. Keep in mind his age.

[yupitsme]

I think Bron has Jordan in speed imo. The way he runs for being 270 is rediculous.

[billysan]

If LBJ weighs 275lbs. at 23 where do you think he will be at age 30 in the weight dept...if history repeats itself most NBA players gain weight as they age.Only a few stay around the same weight they started out with.

Exactly. Lebron is great player who is (god forbid) one injury away from a major problem that could significantly change his career. All the weight he carries will then become a problem and not an asset. NBA Basketball is a slim man's game from a longevity perspective, fair or not. Jordan's greatness was enhanced by his longevity and ability to stay relatively injury free. He stayed injury free by staying slim and in great condition into his thirties. Lebron is in no way on that same path at this stage of his career.