I think LeBron James is now over Michael Jordan

[Celtics4ever]

Six championships verus two tainted by non calls in critical almost losses.  I agree he is over Jordan, in getting the league's love and help.   As a player he could not hold Jordan's jockstrap.   I think Bird would own him too.   The players today are better athletes but I would take 80's guy with their shot over these guys anyday.

The league always markets their latest as the greatest.   I never drank the kool-aid on that one.

[PAOBoston]

I think this argument is moot. Lebron is still 28 and playing. If you are gonna compare MJ and Lebron, compare their resumes at the age of 28. You cant compare Jordan's entire career to Lebron's atm. For all we know, the Heat can go on and 5-peat over the next few years (God, I'd hope not). What would people say then?

[D.o.s.]

One thing--since LeBron came straight out of high school while Jordan played college ball, wouldn't it make sense to compare their playing careers, rather than their ages?

So you'd be looking at 31 year old Jordan's resume--his 10th year in the league, not 28 year old Jordan.

Which would make it:

Jordan 85-95:
3 Championships, 3 time Finals MVP, Six scoring titles, 3-time Steals leader, 1 DPOY, Six first team All-NBA, 5 All Defense, Rookie of the Year, 2 time Slam Dunk Champion, 4 time MVP, Eight time All Star, 3 Time Finals MVP, Rookie of the Year.

LeBron 03-13:
2 Championships, 2 time Finals MVP, 4 MVP, Rookie of the Year, 9 time All Star, 7 first team All-NBA, 5 All Defense, 1 scoring title.

[aporel#18]

Nah... Michael Jordan is the biggest idiot still.

LeBron is very good, he's been in the Finals 4 times out of 10 seasons played, and has 2 titles and 4 MVPs.

Magic Johnson had won 5 titles in his first 8 seasons, but he had Kareem. He had only 1 MVP by then, but he was playing in a league featuring players like Larry Bird, Dr. J, Mo Malone and Kareem.

Jordan had won 3 titles and 3 MVPs in his first 9 seasons

Bird had 3 titles and 3 MVPs in his first 7 seasons

Bill Russell had 8 titles and 5 MVPs in his first 8 seasons

In this no-memory no-legacy sports culture, people can discuss LeBroid vs Jordan all they want, but that's just bs. Those too are/were great, but they're not the greatest ever.

NBA greats:
first tier: Bill Russell
second tier: Wilt Chamberlain
third tier: Larry Bird, Jordan, Magic, Kareem
fourth tier: Shaq, Duncan, Hondo, Cousy, Hakeem, Isaiah, LeBron (could still go up another tier if he wins some more), Kobe, Cowens, Dr. J... and some more.

[twistedrico14]

There is no way I would ever put Lebron ahead of MJ.  I wouldn't even put him ahead of Larry and Magic. All three have more titles than Lebron.

[staticcc]

Someone delete this thread. he's 1/3 of the way.

[staticcc]

LeBron is the best player of this era. Who knows how many more championships he can win. He's also ultra talented, maybe more talented then Jordan (basketball wise).

But with that said, 6 Finals, 6 wins, 6 Finals MVP's. That right there should kill the discussion if he's over Jordan or not.

MJ going 6 for 6 in the Finals is a statistical anomaly. What happened to all the other years he was playing? It means he lost in the 1st round, 2nd round or 3rd round. That's why he didn't make the Finals. Kobe has 7 trips, Lebron has 4 and maybe more. Getting to the Finals and losing IS BETTER than not getting to the Finals at all like MJ did in all those other years.

[staticcc]

LeBron is the best player of this era. Who knows how many more championships he can win. He's also ultra talented, maybe more talented then Jordan (basketball wise).

But with that said, 6 Finals, 6 wins, 6 Finals MVP's. That right there should kill the discussion if he's over Jordan or not.

What's more impressive to you, Lebron going 2-2 in Finals appearances or Jordan going 2-0 in Finals appearance?

For me, it is 2-2 over 2-0.

Actually 2-2 is better than 2-0. It means MJ lost in the ECF , 2nd round or maybe even the 1st round.

[cltc5]

no

[cltc5]

Michael did not win until he got a marquee coach in Phil Jackson. LeBron has won with Erik Spoelstra.

That is cinches it for me. LeBron over MJ.

Jackson is not and was not amarquee coach then.  And he like Spoelstra is a beneficiary coach.  I'd say i could coach a teamm with 6 hall of famers on it too

[JoT]

I knew after they won that this would happen (the whole Lebron vs. MJ debate).
I wish this debate would happen when his career is finished instead of while he's still playing.

[D.o.s.]

Michael did not win until he got a marquee coach in Phil Jackson. LeBron has won with Erik Spoelstra.

That is cinches it for me. LeBron over MJ.

Jackson is not and was not amarquee coach then.  And he like Spoelstra is a beneficiary coach.  I'd say i could coach a teamm with 6 hall of famers on it too

You think you could manage those egos and get them to listen to you and adapt to your basketball philosophy?

Right.

[Roy H.]

We'll see if Lebron ends up with six titles, even without taking off two years in his prime.

[cltc5]

Michael did not win until he got a marquee coach in Phil Jackson. LeBron has won with Erik Spoelstra.

That is cinches it for me. LeBron over MJ.

Jackson is not and was not amarquee coach then.  And he like Spoelstra is a beneficiary coach.  I'd say i could coach a teamm with 6 hall of famers on it too

You think you could manage those egos and get them to listen to you and adapt to your basketball philosophy?

Right.

Ummm yea I could.  I'd say...you turds wanna win and make money?  give it to Jordan.  In LA...you turds wanna win and make moeny...give it to kobe and Shaq.  And done.  Seemed to work for Phil

[CelticConcourse]

We'll see if Lebron ends up with six titles, even without taking off two years in his prime.

Yeah, we can talk then. Classic "getting caught in the moment" situation right now.