Jordan: I could have taken LeBron

[Eric15]

In a 1-on-1 game to 11 by ones (which is how any half court game should be - playing by 1s and 2s is completely stupid), I would take Lebron over MJ about 7 out of 10 times.

I think Lebron's 30-35 lb weight advantage would give Jordan a lot of trouble in his post game.
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9753017/michael-jordan-thinks-beaten-lebron-james-prime
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9753017/michael-jordan-thinks-beaten-lebron-james-prime

 

[Melancer46]

I don't know, Jordan's post game was far better than LeBron's even now (though LeBron has improved a lot there).

And Jordan's mid-range might be the best of all-time.

It definitely would be interesting.

Regardless, 1 on 1 =/= who the best player is, especially if 3's don't count.

 

[Bornorange]

MJ to agile for LeBron to keep up with.

 

[Lawrinson14]

I just don't get it. Can someone please explain to me how Lebron is even compared to MJ? Maybe at the end of Lebron's career, but now? Seriously?

MJ:
2x Collegiate All-American
NCAA Champion
ACC player of the year
Rookie of the year
6x NBA champion (6-0 in the finals)
6x NBA finals MVP
5x MVP
14x all-star
10x NBA scoring champ
9x all-defensive team
3x steal champion
Actually took part in the slam dunk contest (won 2)
Career avg of 30+ pts per game
BEAT THE DAMN MONSTARS

And culturally, MJ crushes Lebron. MJ is partially responsible for the success of 3 Billion dollar brands: Nike, Gatorade, and Haynes.

 

[jordoo]

MJ wins by force a will before they ever step on the court. Seriously gotta take one of these two in an NBA finals for your team just one you know everyone is picking MJ every time.

 

[Guinness]

In a 1-on-1 game to 11 by ones (which is how any half court game should be - playing by 1s and 2s is completely stupid), I would take Lebron over MJ about 7 out of 10 times.

I think Lebron's 30-35 lb weight advantage would give Jordan a lot of trouble in his post game.
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9753017/michael-jordan-thinks-beaten-lebron-james-prime

I would take MJ over Lebron 9 out of 10.

 

[Guinness]

MJ wins by force a will before they ever step on the court. Seriously gotta take one of these two in an NBA finals for your team just one you know everyone is picking MJ every time.

Forgoet physical skill. Jordan was light years ahead in mental toughness and competitiveness. He may lose but the man never wilted from the spotlight. The same cannot be said of Lebron.

 

[jordoo]

Imagine MJ if you couldn't put hands on the ball handler when driving. MJ would literally have walked to the goal all game long or lived at the line the way they call todays NBA compared to the much more physical perimeter defense allowed during his career.

 

[OrangeJEM]

As long as MJ doesn't have to draft or evaluate talent, I'd take MJ. If they had to pick teams for a 3v3 or 5v5 I'd take Lebron.

 

[jordoo]

As long as MJ doesn't have to draft or evaluate talent, I'd take MJ. If they had to pick teams for a 3v3 or 5v5 I'd take Lebron.

LMAO!

 

[Lawrinson14]

And why does everyone seem to forget Magic Johnson when these debates come up? He, to me is 1B to Jordan's 1A. Had he not gotten sick, he may be my clear number 1. Dude played every position on the court...at a hall-of-fame level.

• 5× NBA champion (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987–1988)
• 3× NBA Finals MVP (1980, 1982, 1987)
• 3× NBA Most Valuable Player (1987, 1989–1990)
• 12× NBA All-Star (1980, 1982–1992)
• 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1990, 1992)
• 9× All-NBA First Team (1983–1991)
• 4× NBA assists leader (1983–1984), (1986–1987)
• 2× NBA steals leader (1981–1982)
• NCAA champion (1979)
• NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player (1979)

 

[Melancer46]

And why does everyone seem to forget Magic Johnson when these debates come up? He, to me is 1B to Jordan's 1A. Had he not gotten sick, he may be my clear number 1. Dude played every position on the court...at a hall-of-fame level.

• 5× NBA champion (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987–1988)
• 3× NBA Finals MVP (1980, 1982, 1987)
• 3× NBA Most Valuable Player (1987, 1989–1990)
• 12× NBA All-Star (1980, 1982–1992)
• 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1990, 1992)
• 9× All-NBA First Team (1983–1991)
• 4× NBA assists leader (1983–1984), (1986–1987)
• 2× NBA steals leader (1981–1982)
• NCAA champion (1979)
• NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player (1979)

He's probably my #3 of all-time, but his defense is a big enough reason to keep him from being 1B to Jordan's 1A.

 

[McNabb2Brominski]

Kobe v MJ would be a better matchup.

MJ would dominate Bron. Bron would have to win with his physical advantage. However, MJ would be very physical and take away that advantage so lebron would be all like

Then he would quit and say that there was too many fouls.

 

[PeteCalvin]

People who didn't see Jordan play in his prime shouldn't be allowed to answer this question. I take Jordan at least 7 out of 10. MJ was quicker than LeBron, a much better defender, and could kill him with that unstoppable pull up. LeBron is a great player, but he is not Michael Jordan.

 

[jordoo]

Kobe v MJ would be a better matchup.

MJ would dominate Bron. Bron would have to win with his physical advantage. However, MJ would be very physical and take away that advantage so lebron would be all like

Then he would quit and say that there was too many fouls.

Imagine when he flopped to the floor and tried to call a foul on MJ while MJ proceeded to pound him for being a big sissy. LOL

You're right Kobe vs MJ in 1on1 would be much better.

 

[Eric15]

I just don't get it. Can someone please explain to me how Lebron is even compared to MJ? Maybe at the end of Lebron's career, but now? Seriously?

MJ:
2x Collegiate All-American
NCAA Champion
ACC player of the year
Rookie of the year
6x NBA champion (6-0 in the finals)
6x NBA finals MVP
5x MVP
14x all-star
10x NBA scoring champ
9x all-defensive team
3x steal champion
Actually took part in the slam dunk contest (won 2)
Career avg of 30+ pts per game
BEAT THE DAMN MONSTARS

And culturally, MJ crushes Lebron. MJ is partially responsible for the success of 3 Billion dollar brands: Nike, Gatorade, and Haynes.

All fair points - but what does that have to do with a one on one half court game which was the subject of the article?

 

[Eric15]

And why does everyone seem to forget Magic Johnson when these debates come up? He, to me is 1B to Jordan's 1A. Had he not gotten sick, he may be my clear number 1. Dude played every position on the court...at a hall-of-fame level.

• 5× NBA champion (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987–1988)
• 3× NBA Finals MVP (1980, 1982, 1987)
• 3× NBA Most Valuable Player (1987, 1989–1990)
• 12× NBA All-Star (1980, 1982–1992)
• 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1990, 1992)
• 9× All-NBA First Team (1983–1991)
• 4× NBA assists leader (1983–1984), (1986–1987)
• 2× NBA steals leader (1981–1982)
• NCAA champion (1979)
• NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player (1979)

I consider Magic the 3rd best player ever after Jordan and Kareem, but I don't think he's in the Top 100 (maybe even 200) players of all-time in terms of a one-on-one game.

 

[We Are Syracuse]

I think LeBron beats MJ pretty easily... But hold your horses... MJ is the greatest of all time and always will be IMO... Most skilled player to ever play and what he did in the finals and regular season combined cannot be matched. 1 on 1 proves nothing people. ABSOLUTELY nothing...

 

[jordoo]

All fair points - but what does that have to do with a one on one half court game which was the subject of the article?

i think there is no way Lebron could stay infront of MJ plus he was a much better shooter off the bounce than Lebron which is of parimount imortance in that type of game. As far as Lebron's advantage in the post yes he is bigger and stronger but his post game isn't that good or consistant enough to take enough advantage to win IMO. MJ had a much better post game and mid post game plus you have to dribble yourself into the post to begin with in 1on1

 

[Doc5120]

I'll take the bigger, stronger, faster guy...Lebron 6 out of 10 times. Yes, at this time, Jordan has more titles, more mvp's, more finals mvp's. better per game scoring avg, etc etc...but none of that matters in a game of one on one. Lebron is a freak of nature we have never seen before. I just have a hard time seeing anyone stop him. He would be able to get easier shots than MJ because of his sheer size/strength advantage. He could back MJ down and score from close range, whereas MJ would have to rely more on moves off the dribble and lower percentage shots, which is why I think Lebron would have the advantage.

 

[jordoo]

I'll take the bigger, stronger, faster guy...Lebron 6 out of 10 times. Yes, at this time, Jordan has more titles, more mvp's, more finals mvp's. better per game scoring avg, etc etc...but none of that matters in a game of one on one. Lebron is a freak of nature we have never seen before. I just have a hard time seeing anyone stop him. He would be able to get easier shots than MJ because of his sheer size/strength advantage. He could back MJ down and score from close range, whereas MJ would have to rely more on moves off the dribble and lower percentage shots, which is why I think Lebron would have the advantage.

Is Lebron really faster than MJ in his prime? I'm not so sure about that. Plus I've never really seen Lebron backdown anyone. Pin them on the block and shoot over them yes. Put back them down like say Mark Jackson used to do with smaller guards no. MJ really didn't post up that way either in fairness but he had very good spin moves, fall aways and a couple different releases turning and facing. In 1 on 1 you don't start in the post you have to get there.

 

[MCC]

I consider Magic the 3rd best player ever after Jordan and Kareem, but I don't think he's in the Top 100 (maybe even 200) players of all-time in terms of a one-on-one game.

Magic's greatness was in his passing and overarching floor generalship on offense. He made the team better, and was one of the GOAT in the context of the game of bball. Ja, 1-on-1... he's not stopping any of the great scorers.

 

[Guinness]

People who didn't see Jordan play in his prime shouldn't be allowed to answer this question.

Totally agree. Pretty hard to compare guys without having actually seen them play.

 

[Doc5120]

Is Lebron really faster than MJ in his prime? I'm not so sure about that. Plus I've never really seen Lebron backdown anyone. Pin them on the block and shoot over them yes. Put back them down like say Mark Jackson used to do with smaller guards no. MJ really didn't post up that way either in fairness but he had very good spin moves, fall aways and a couple different releases turning and facing. In 1 on 1 you don't start in the post you have to get there.

As for who is faster in their prime, I believe Lebron is. He is probably not as agile as MJ, but straight line speed, I'd take Lebron.

The post - totally agree you have to get there. IMO, it's easier to get there 1 on 1 than in 5 on 5. When Lebron catches the ball in the low post, guys swarm (as they should). If he gets there with only 1 defender around, it makes scoring that much easier.

MJ had great offensive moves. I think he had more in his repertoire than Lebron, but I also think he had more because he needed more as his career went along. Lebron is still young and at his physical peak. He can take guys off the bounce or bully them down low. He doesn't need his mid range game to be as a big weapon...yet. In 3-5 yrs, when he starts to slow down, he'll need that to continue to play at the level we've seen.

 

[MCC]

I'd like to see if anyone could beat Kareem 1-on-1. No one is stopping him from scoring. I think he'd kill Shaq with skyhooks and his quickness / agility (in his prime of course). Shaq's not getting dunks all game; I could see Kareem blocking enough of everything else Shaq puts up to win via incessant hooks and other moves. If he played any of Jordan, Kobe, etc. and they had an off day and missed several jumpers in a row against him (and assuming Kareem gets the boards) I don't see how anyone beats him.

I suspect this won't be a popular opinion but in 1-on-1... who can beat the agile 7'1 3/8" guy with the most unstoppable move ever and who's also one of the best shotblockers of all time?