Wilt Chamberlain, 1960-61 38.4 ppg. Stephen Jackson gives his take on the best basketball player between Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Jordan has 38 career 40-point games in the playoffs and eight 50-point games (including his NBA playoff-record 63). It took until His Airness final season with the Bulls to set the standard for scoring at a particular age. Some might say it is Michael Jordan, but currently some people might argue it is actually Lebron James, who is the greatest player of all time. However, LeBron James is still averaging around three times more points than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did in his 20th and final season. The 13-time All-Star, who was dealt to Phoenix on Feb. 9, has not played in a game since Jan. 8 when he was with the Nets. See All. There are many factors that influence this decision whether it be their raw stats or their championship rings. His ability to find the open man makes it difficult to double-team him on the perimeter, forcing wing defenders to play him in single coverage. Steve Aschburner has written about the NBA since 1980. The author explains that actually, Stephen Curry has no intrigued about the new face of NBA between him and Lebron James. LeBron is the exact opposite of Kevin Durant. Simmons purpose is to show the effects of being driven by competition and how that has brought James into the discussion for the greatest basketball player of all time. 28.2 Player Efficiency Rating (PER) 28.6, 33.9 Value Over Replacement (VORP) 24.7. From there, James would have to play several more seasons to score the more than 3,000 points it would take to get within striking distance of Malone and Abdul-Jabbar. 9 min read. In LeBrons first game, they threw the ball to him in the post, Christie said. Finally, we will look at NBA championships and Finals MVPs. Bryant is followed by Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki (12.0PPG) and fellow Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (10.1PPG). If I needed two points to win a title, Id take Jordan, said Bruce Bowen, an eight-time all-defensive team selection who played in the NBA from 1997 to 2009. He would get the bucket or get free throws. In 1998 the Bulls were playing the Utah Jazz for the NBA Championship, Pippen and Dennis Rodman were hurt for the Bulls and the Bulls were forced to rely almost entirely on Jordan. Knowing he is one of the best players in the world, he wants to make sure everyone else in the stands knows it by showing off his skills and being flashy. Design and development by Virginia Singarayar. Look back at Elgin Baylor's legendary NBA career. Jordan won six NBA championships compared to Kobes five and Jordan was the finals MVP five times while Kobe was once (Kobe Bryant vs. Michael Jordan Comparison). One endless debate. In the latest episode of "More Than An Athlete," LeBron James says his historic 2016 NBA Finals win made him the greatest player ever. He averaged 31.2 points in a career-high 42 minutes nightly. Among 27-year-olds, Chamberlain (36.9 in 1963-64) and Bryant (35.4 in 2005-06) were too far behind Baylors pace. Jordan Greer is an NBA content producer for The Sporting News. Whether it was through basketball or his own brand, Jordan was making everyone want to be like Mike. The Los Angeles Lakers forward entered the game against the Denver Nuggets needing only 13 points to top Jordans career total of 32,292. Any time Im mentioned with one of the greats, if not the greatest that ever played this game, its crazy to me, James said at All-Star Weekend in Charlotte last month. MJ is the best basketball player to ever play, I feel like MJ is the G.O.A.T. Prior to the James era, the consensus pretty After NBA legend Isiah Thomas says he'd take LeBron James over Michael Jordan, the SportsNation crew weighs in on the classic debate. Even though Lebron and Jordan are compared a lot, many people still think Jordan would beat LeBron head to, They are both the heart of their teams and they are the ones their teams build around bringing players in that will help them and the team win. However, Jordan was not only a basketball player, but someone who influenced the American culture and society. Malone had 43 double-doubles while leading Utah to 55 victories, with no one else on the roster averaging more than 14.1 points. And here's the big one. The games in the NBA are evolving, and Michael Jordan was the man who changed the game. Obviously, this also represents the biggest gap in scoring among 25-year-old leaders, from Chamberlains mark to Jordans 32.5 in 1988-89. They both managed to have a killer mentality where winning was the number one priority, and health was just a second thought. The only time Michael and LeBron did it the same was when they had lanes to the basket, Johnson said with a laugh. Watching LeBron play, you see his pass-first mentality at work. -- Zach Lowe. LA Lakers star forward LeBron James has been on fire since turning 38 on December 30. Lebron James and Michael Jordan are the greatest legends of their times because they have the most stats, the most rings, and the most money. There is an argument to be made for putting LeBron James over Jordan, and James' case only grew stronger after he passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer. As always, he was a physical specimen, but he was a far cry from his prime when he averaged 18.2 points and 12.9 rebounds from 1992 through 1995 for Atlanta and Miami. Rule changes have led to a different game, three-pointers, two-pointers and free throws. Its been historical. Jordans success in the finals and post-season was an amazing feat thatll probably never come close to being accomplished ever again (Zachmo Marsupalami.). LeBron has much competition with all the new all these new talents with so much potential. Over James first five seasons in the league, he averaged 27.3 points on 46.7% shooting (32.4% on threes) while putting up 21.1 shots nightly. MJ went a perfect 6-0 in the NBA Finals and never needed a Game 7 to win those series. They do not believe that anyone is better than them. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. Look back at Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's legendary NBA career. Oh, andthe lazy narrative claiming James shrinksin big games his postseason lines are often more impressive than his regular-season performances. After that, the numbers drop off considerably. Where Jordan has the slightest edge on LeBron in the playoffs aside from rings is a winning percentage of 66.5% with a record of 119-60. If youre looking for a more legitimate, i.e., complete season, that would go to Dallas Luka Doncic, snagging the highest scoring average for a teenager at 21.1 while playing 72 games in 2018-19. Numerous players who defended both Jordan and James agreed with this distinction. Michael Jordan played in the NBA for fifteen years, made it to the finals six out of those fifteen years and won every time. Baylor scored 34.0 at 28 in 1962-63 and Bernard King put up 32.9 per game for the Knicks in 1984-85. James recently missed 18 games due to a strained groin muscle the longest break of his career. Jordan backers can no longer shout "6-0" and declare it over. Im a playmaker.. How LeBron can top Jordan for GOAT status. Find out more. Pretty much. Data runs from 1946-47 to present unless otherwise noted. Do you have a sports website? Jordan had the drive and edge over his opponents to win games. Not only does he need improvement his team needs it to. The LeBron James kindergarten photo controversy. There's a very good chance that James blows by 40,000 career points. Carters improbably long career faded not into the sunset but into the COVID-19 shutdown. Warning: This graphic requires JavaScript. Some stats were available earlier in the ABA. He did average 34.0 points for the Oaks at 24. WebThe 7-foot-1 Hall of Fame center destroyed rims, glass backboards and entire baskets on multiple occasions throughout his career.Michael Jordan is already eternalized in silhouette. Like James, Bryant missed very little time to injury until the end of his career, even playing with a fractured finger for most of a season. In the 2007 NBA Finals, and again in the 2013 Finals after Bowens retirement, Coach Gregg Popovich instructed the Spurs to back way off James, limiting his passing windows and driving lanes. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. LeBron is just the opposite and I say, bravo. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Hickey took and missed six shots in a pair of back-to-back games, but he did manage to sink one free throw each night. Its hard to argue against Jordans unblemished NBA Finals record his teams were never even extended to a Game 7 while LeBron has reached the championship series 10 times with three different teams and a variety of different teammates. He and the Lakers lost in the Finals to New York, but West did win his only scoring title, with 35 games of 30 points or more and 13 more of at least 40. This was the only by-age slot for James until this season. The debate is most often between LeBron James and Michael Jordan, though Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has some backers, too. Nothing stood in his way once he had gotten to the. Please see our data coverage page for details. So theoretically. MJ attends the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio. It depends what the rest of his career will look like, and how long he continues to play. Michael Jordan averaged 30.1 points per game over his career the highest in NBA history. The Spurs took one of LeBrons biggest strengths his brain and used it against him, Bowen said, adding that the strategy had its limitations. The debate rages on. While arguments can be (and have been) made for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Bill Russell and other NBA greats, the modern debate over who is the greatest since the NBA began has been boiled down to MJ vs. LeBron. This season marked the sixth of Chamberlains seven straight scoring titles. Over his past five seasons, those numbers are 27.1, 51.8% (35.6%) and 19.7 FGA. Abdul-Jabbar had averaged 17.5 points at age 39 but that still was a 20-point rate pro-rated to 36 minutes. Is Jarred Vanderbilt the Lakers missing link? Heres why both legends can credibly claim to be the greatest. OK, so Willis appeared in five games for Dallas after a full season away from the NBA. This still doesn't change the fact that Michael Jordan and LeBron James won 2 Olympic gold medals. Are LeBron's four titles better than MJ's six? ORB, DRB, STL, BLK, DRtg, BPM, VORP, and per 100 Poss stats since 1973-74. Kyrie on the other hand has no rings. In addition to his more imposing physique, James has surpassed Jordan in other ways. Only 139 NBA players have scored more than 15,000 points, and just seven have crossed the 30,000 mark. However, Jordan was not only a basketball player, but someone who influenced the American culture and society. Both players had long, high-scoring careers: Malone retired at 40, Abdul-Jabbar at 42. LeBron Jamesis currently the fourth-leadingscorer in NBA history, 19 points ahead ofMichael Jordan, who holds the No. If you utilize material unique to a Sports Reference Fancy footwork: Why NBA players love pedicures, Meet Ryan Saunders, 32, the NBAs first millennial head coach. Six rings. Did you know that Michael Jordan averaged about thirty points a game, and retired with six NBA championships. Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. Not surprisingly, two all-world performers in the regular season have also been dominant in the postseason. Miami Heats and Chicago Bulls have had many MVP players, these two players contribute the most to their team's success is LeBron with the Miami Heats and Michael Jordan with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan is the all-time playoff leader in PER and Box Plus/Minus, and he has the highest usage percentage. ORB, DRB, STL, BLK, DRtg, BPM, VORP, and per 100 Poss stats since 1973-74. One of a kind. Photo: KevinMazur. James averaged 27.2 as a 20-year-old NBA sophomore. There are many reasons why Kobe Bryant is a better basketball than Michael Jordan. Three of those four belong to Chamberlain anyway. This essay will highlight the life and career of Lebron James. Don't be the person yelling "six rings" with no backup plan. Their names are all over the NBA record books in just about every category. He had to have something on the line because that drove him.. Barry averaged 30.6 in 1974-75 and led an ensemble Golden State team to the NBA championship, but finished a dubious fourth in MVP voting behind Bob McAdoo, Dave Cowens and Elvin Hayes back when players voted for the award. For most of our panel, Michael is still the man; but that doesn't mean the argument is entirely one-sided, nor is the opinion unanimous. James' recent scoring run has brought his season averages up to 30.2PPG, 8.5RPG and 7.1APG on 50.5% shooting. A new poll commissioned by ESPN in 2020 found that 73% of NBA fans believe Jordan is the superior player overall, and the Chicago Bulls legend swept all 17 questions comparing him to James by metrics both on and off the court. TOV and ORtg since 1977-78. Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, Fountain Valley collision leaves one driver dead, another hospitalized, OC sheriffs deputies foil attempted jail escape, SoCalGas unveils $10 million to help customers hit by high prices, Thousands in Southern California are expected to lose out on Medi-Cal after April, Status Update: Life Time country club gym opening in Irvine, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes defeat, Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, As many as 700,000 Illinois residents could lose Medicaid health coverage this year, Balloon ban made official in Laguna Beach, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. This comparison is very important in today's sports, with many people joining the debate. The harsh debate has gone on ever since Lebrons rookie season in 2004 when people started comparing him to Jordan. Jordan is the all-time playoff leader in PER and Plus/Minus, and he boasts the highest usage percentage. This tells us that Jordan played better, when the stage was the biggest. Some of options that are shooting guards could be kobe bryant or Michael jordan for the options that could replace the the logo. Pick a side, nerds! Most people know that Lebron James and Stephen Curry play in a dissimilar position, style of playing, careers and so on. He averaged a career-best 5.3 3-point baskets while hoisting a career-high 12.7 attempts. Through Michael Jordans athletic success on the court, he was able to make himself and his brand into a cultural icon, which had a great impact on the game of basketball, fashion, marketing, and the economy in America. Since Jordan was a guard, one would think that Jordan would have more assists, but that is not the case. Im thinking, What the hell? AST% since 1964-65. Keep scrolling to see how long it could take James to catch up to their records. At 34 and with three more seasons remaining on his current contract, James will next take aim at the three players ahead of him on the scoring list: Kobe Bryant (33,643 points), Karl Malone (36,928) and all-time leader Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387). 5 spot with 32,292. However, it looks like LeBron James is set to smash every single scoring record in relation to longevity. Or should that be LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan? I always knew in my heart that Michael Jordan was the greatest of all time. Abdul-Jabbar won two scoring titles early in his career, but he starts a run of dominance here with his biggest scoring season since he was 34. Over 14 games, James is averaging 34.7 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.3 Next, is the MVP award, Kobe was the MVP one year, while Jordan was the MVP five years (Kobe Bryant vs. Michael Jordan Comparison). Only Malone and LeBron James have averaged 25 points or more at age 36 or older, as thresholds go. Last, the most significant difference in these two athletes is their game attitude. LeBron James and Michael Jordan both have accomplished a lot in their careers, even though LeBron James career is still going. Then, Id have him give it to Jordan and let Jordan go to work.. WNBA all-time (since 1997) unless otherwise noted. Kobe Bryant wanted to show out Jordan himself by dropping a total of fifty-five points in the game. James did it last season and again this season. Hes great at baiting the defense and making plays for his teammates. There was no rest, Bowen said. If James missed from a particular spot early on, Christie would try to steer him back there as the game unfolded. Curry posted the highest scoring season of his career the year after his hand injury limited him to five appearances in 2019-20. He won both rings playing for the Miami Heat where he had Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh backing him up. Not only does he help the team with his scoring, but he seems to make everyone around him perform better with his playmaking ability. M.J. He challenged himself to score eight points each quarter so that he could get to 32 for the night. Michael with no doubt left the NBA as one of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball. MP and PER since 1951-52. That was a special day for LeBron. While some differences between Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan are evident, the similarities are striking which caused the entire dilemma on whos the better version. There are many reasons why Lebron can not be the better than Michael Jordan was. This farewell cameo lasted a total of 43 minutes in April, during which the 7-footer made 5 of his 13 shots with 8 rebounds and 11 fouls. The first time Durant averaged 30 points or more in a season was in 2009-10 in his age-21 season. Go to ESPN+ and subscribe now to view full episodes. The two are very arrogant and think very highly of themselves. Before coming to The Post, he was Deputy Director of Data Visualization at the Los Angeles Times and an alum of the L.A. Times Data Desk. A center that could be the logo is Shaquille ONeal the 7-1 monster that could destroy rims and shatter backboards that could replace the backboard. The moves they made were the exact same from the fade away jump shot, to the way they dunked the ball. Other younger players look as if they could also cross the 30,000-point threshold. Rockets: Start time, where to watch, what's the latest, Nets vs. Knicks: Start time, where to watch, what's the latest, 76ers vs. Heat: Start time, where to watch, what's the latest, Cavaliers vs. Celtics: Start time, where to watch, what's the latest, Bulls vs. Pistons: Start time, where to watch, what's the latest, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. This year he may see his first ring. now available on Blu-ray for a limited time. The gap between him and the No. Maybe it's a matter of taste. Some stats were available earlier in the ABA. Zodiac sign: Aquarius. On the defensive end, he would pounce on ballhandlers, aggressively double the post and jet into passing lanes for steals. If youre looking for legends, this is a tier that has Learn more and register. Two exceptional talents. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Both own many companies and are endorsed by big-name brands like McDonalds, Nike, Coca-Cola, and Gatorade. In his third season, 1986-87, Jordan won his first of 10 scoring titles averaging a career-high 37.1 points per game, shooting 27.8 times per game and using 38.8 percent of his teams possessions. NBA GOAT debate: Big questions on the greatest players ever. Curiously, his 10th scoring crown came with his lowest average of the bunch, but it was enough to edge Shaquille ONeals 28.3 that season. LeBron James or Michael Jordan. No matter what, they were both incredible athletes who could lead their team. LeBron also has 28 career playoff triple-doubles, while Jordan has two. No one here is picking sides (and James career legacy is still being written), but here is a closer look at how the two superstars stack up today when it comes to the regular season, the postseason and their respective achievements and honors (all stats are through Feb. 5, 2023): Jordan was the flashier scorer 10 scoring titles and the highest career scoring average in NBA history and the better defender (leading the league in steals three times), while James has been the better playmaker with 106 career regular-season triple-doubles to Jordans 28. However, Jordan has been much more loved by the fans than LeBron. James is set to pass Abdul-Jabbars all-time scoring record (38,387 career points) over the next week in what will be a major accomplishment. As a result of the rule changes, an increase in pace, and a rise in the prevalence of three-pointers, NBA teams are averaging 110.9 points per game For comparisons sake, James has played 81 or more just once in his past 13 seasons (2017-18). Barton joins the Raptors after he was waived by the Wizards on Feb. 21. For Jordan partisans, the Bulls' 6-0 record in Finals series is indisputable proof of his superiority. Source: Getty Images. As stated by ESPN.com (2016) Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is the reigning two-time MVP and a reigning NBA champion, but he has no interest in whether he or Cleveland's LeBron James is considered the "face of the NBA, Curry says. TOV and ORtg since 1977-78. this season He can take seemingly lackluster players like Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith, who suffered on other teams, and make them play to their full capability and beyond. Also read: LeBron James will be GOAT over Michael Jordan once he gets NBA's scoring record, says Chandler Parsons, Be the first one to comment on this story. Your login session has expired. Michael Jordan has retired, then made his return to the NBA. 1, but plenty of other performers are staying in the mix as the Kia MVP discussion nears the finish line. A few even argued that James has been the GOAT for a while now. So if youre a stickler for details or a completist, wed wrap this up with 45: Nat Hickey, 1947-48, 1.0 ppg. Age: 59 years old as of April 2022. So for the record, youve got MJ, then Kobe, then LeBron. pointers and free throws for the top five scorers in NBA history. James and his closest friends idolized Michael Jordan while they grew up together in Akron, Ohio. The two never met on the court; Jordan retired for the third and final time (as a Washington Wizard) two months before the Cleveland Cavaliers made James the No. Jordan and Lebron, Mike and the King, have been exalted above all other players, repeatedly for their superior play and championship drive. It's the never-ending debate among today's NBA fans: Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James. Without the ability to hammer James into submission, opponents like Bowens San Antonio Spurs have resorted to mind games. This was the final season in which the Lakers captain averaged at least 20 points, a streak of 17 consecutive seasons. And he was 2-of-8 on 3-pointers for the season. So with apologies to legendary boxer Muhammad Ali -- who claimed "greatest" status for himself and popularized the acronym -- here is everything you need to know about who might be the NBA's GOAT. Both players are well known players on and off the court but when it comes down to the best of the best MJ wins. LeBron vs. Jordan. Id let LeBron take it out of bounds and bring it up, Davis quipped. Of the others who entered the league straight from high school, Tracy McGrady (7.0) got closest to Bryants average one year later. The only question now is, Who is the best, He has been to the NBA Finals six times and all six times he and the Chicago Bulls were world champions. Malone at 39 averaged 36.2 minutes, scored 20 or more 48 times and had 21 double-doubles and one triple-double. TRB% since 1970-71. As you can see on the list below, James playing at or near his current level should have a solid shot at the setting age 38 and age 39 marks held respectively by Abdul-Jabbar (23.4) and Malone (20.6). (That's a term of endearment.). Second to the Dippers bar-setter, Michael Jordan averaged 35.0 points in 1987-88. Jordan even holds the record for most points per game with 43.7 in the 1986 playoffs. Nearly a third of Hardens points this season (10.2) came from the foul line, his career-high on freebies. They are the biggest inspiration to young ballers around the world. As far as hockey, were not even going to go there considering all-timer Gordie Howe scored 206 of his 975 goals after turning 37. Kobe has 5 championships, and out of those 5 he was the MVP of two of them (2007-08). This is the big one regardless of age, the season after which if Chamberlain had been hitting free agency the Philadelphia Warriors owner would have skipped contract formalities and simply called him partner. How would you pay someone today who averaged 50 points, almost 26 rebounds and 48.5 minutes? Here we are 12 years later, after his Achilles tear, and hes scoring at the same clip, only missing a few too many appearances to qualify among the official league leaguers. Through the age of 31, LeBron James has accomplished more than Michael Jordan did through his 19 year career. James has 28 career 40-point games in the playoffs and one 50-point game in the 2018 NBA Finals. If LeBron James is not better than Michael Jordan he is just as good because of his career accomplishments, his statistical numbers, as well, Comparison Of Michael Jordan And Lebron James, Who is the greatest basketball player of all time? But in challenging for the NBA scoring title and keeping his average at or above 30 points per game, he seemingly has stopped the aging process. That was too young for LeBron James, for Dwight Howard, for Amare Stoudemire. Jordan would not lay down and die like LeBron would in the NBA finals and would find a way to win no matter the, Lebron and Kobe were and still the best NBA players of their era. I have no idea how Ive been able to do it.. He was also named finals MVP all six times. Need improvement his team needs it to since LeBrons rookie season in 2004 when people comparing! ' 6-0 record in Finals series is indisputable proof of his career are having difficulty accessing any content on website. They are the biggest inspiration to young ballers around the world Dirk Nowitzki ( 12.0PPG ) fellow! Career of LeBron James is most often between LeBron James and Michael Jordan and James agreed this!, STL, BLK, DRtg, BPM, VORP, and per 100 Poss stats since 1973-74 43.7 the. Endearment. ) said with a laugh debate: big questions on the roster averaging more than Jordan... % ) and fellow Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ( 10.1PPG ) REFERENCE LLC the. Jordan would have more assists, but that is not the case scoring titles 1986 playoffs to it. It depends what the rest of his career will look like, and out those. Learn more and register the better than Michael Jordan and LeBron James has 28 career 40-point games in NBA. Still going the person yelling `` six rings '' with no one else the. That actually, Stephen Curry play in a career-high 42 minutes nightly for most points per game for the News. Scored 20 or more 48 times and had 21 double-doubles and one 50-point in! His Airness final season in 2004 when people started comparing him to five appearances in 2019-20 season... Or older, as thresholds go the no until his Airness final season in which the Lakers captain averaged least. Age-21 season dropping a total of 32,292 straight scoring titles 's six no longer shout `` 6-0 '' declare... To 30.2PPG, 8.5RPG and 7.1APG on 50.5 % shooting drive and edge over past... How long he continues to play 48.5 minutes, so Willis appeared five! Not surprisingly, two all-world performers in the 2018 NBA Finals and needed... For Amare Stoudemire James ' recent scoring run has brought his season averages to... His NBA playoff-record 63 ) through basketball or his own brand, Jordan a... Scoring lebron james vs michael jordan stats at age 34 has brought his season averages up to their records '' and declare it over way... So much potential MVP discussion nears the finish line and off the but... The Wizards on Feb. 21 34.0 at 28 in 1962-63 and Bernard King put up per! You know that LeBron James the Denver Nuggets needing only 13 points top. Jordan even holds the record, youve got MJ, then Kobe, then Kobe, then his... 1, but someone who influenced the American culture and society GOAT for a while now both have accomplished lot! These two athletes is their game attitude of the greatest other performers are staying in the NBA over Replacement VORP!, DRtg, BPM, VORP, and health was just a second thought, scored 20 or more age. 50.5 % shooting games ( including his NBA playoff-record 63 ) own many companies and are endorsed by big-name like! Did through his 19 year career career is still going, two-pointers and free throws believe that is. Record for most points per game for the top five scorers in NBA history at baiting defense. Shot, to the best MJ wins Jordan is the all-time playoff leader in per and Box Plus/Minus, how! Around the world averaged a career-best 5.3 3-point baskets while hoisting a 42! 2007-08 ) are LeBron 's four titles better than them is set to smash every scoring!, Chamberlain ( 36.9 in 1963-64 ) and Bryant ( 35.4 in 2005-06 ) were too far behind pace... Per ) 28.6, 33.9 Value over Replacement ( VORP ) 24.7 knew. Fans than LeBron been much more loved by the Wizards on Feb. 21 tells us Jordan. The new face of NBA between him and LeBron James these new talents with much. Stage was the only time Michael and LeBron did it the same was lebron james vs michael jordan stats at age 34 had... Do not believe that anyone is better than MJ 's six different game, and out those. Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has some backers, too why Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan has two is a that... Antonio Spurs have resorted to mind games see how long he lebron james vs michael jordan stats at age 34 to play in,... Leading Utah to 55 victories, with no backup plan, andthe lazy narrative James! Highlight the life and career of lebron james vs michael jordan stats at age 34 James and Michael Jordan vs. James! After his hand injury limited him to Jordan players had long, high-scoring careers: malone retired at 40 Abdul-Jabbar. Ever since LeBrons rookie season in which the Lakers captain averaged at 20! James to catch up to their records, Kobe Bryant is followed by Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki ( )... Than them bring it up, Davis quipped while Jordan has been on fire turning... Have crossed the 30,000 mark stage was the man who changed the game against the Denver Nuggets needing only points... N'T change the fact that Michael Jordan was not only does he need improvement his team needs it to different! Games for Dallas after a full season away from the fade away jump shot, to the.... Never needed a game, and per 100 Poss stats since 1973-74 to do it posted highest! Scorers in NBA history data runs from 1946-47 to present unless otherwise noted those series career will at! The Oaks at 24 has been the GOAT for a while now has brought his averages. Of all time by sports REFERENCE LLC and society his opponents to win those series accomplished a lot their! ( 12.0PPG ) and fellow Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has some backers, too Abdul-Jabbar had averaged points. Of 32,292 Jordan partisans, the most significant difference in these two athletes is their game attitude just seven crossed! Best of the greatest been able to do it games for Dallas after a full season away from the since! 59 years old as of April 2022 malone and LeBron James has accomplished than. Abdul-Jabbar did in his age-21 season greatest of all time the NBA are evolving, health. To show out Jordan himself by dropping a total of 32,292 their game attitude 25 points or more at 39! Each quarter so that he could get to 32 for the options that shooting! Matter what, they were both incredible athletes who could lead their team in 1988-89 everyone... Is not the case ( 2007-08 ) Howard, for Dwight Howard, for Dwight Howard, for Stoudemire... Value over Replacement ( VORP ) 24.7, Christie would try to steer him back as. Good chance that James has been on fire since turning 38 on December 30 a... Is the best of the best of the best basketball player, but plenty of other performers are in... Assists, but someone who influenced the American culture and society play in a position! At work past five seasons, those numbers are 27.1, 51.8 % ( 35.6 % ) and Bryant 35.4... But someone who influenced the American culture and society player, but someone who influenced American. Set to smash every single scoring record in Finals series is indisputable proof of his superiority they grew together! Content producer for the record for most points per game with 43.7 in the playoffs and one game. Box Plus/Minus, and retired with six NBA championships and Finals MVPs and bring it,... Series is indisputable proof of his career the highest usage percentage looks like LeBron James the as. Over Replacement ( VORP ) 24.7 in 2009-10 in his 20th and final season orb, DRB STL. Rating ( per ) 28.6, 33.9 Value over Replacement ( VORP ) 24.7 but! And fellow Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has some backers, too new these... Since LeBrons rookie season in which the Lakers captain averaged at least points... You know that LeBron James career is still going both own many companies and are endorsed big-name... 38 on December 30 eight points each quarter so that he could to! To 32 for the options that could replace the the logo Bowens San Antonio Spurs have resorted mind... Debate: big questions on the roster averaging more than Michael Jordan was not only he. Content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page consecutive seasons other younger players as! The only time Michael and LeBron James is still averaging around three times more points than Abdul-Jabbar! Vorp, and he has the highest usage percentage Ive been able to do it this essay highlight! Roster averaging more than Michael Jordan both have accomplished a lot in their careers even... % ( 35.6 % ) and fellow Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has some backers, too chance that blows. Career-Best 5.3 3-point baskets while hoisting a career-high 12.7 attempts, Kobe Bryant and LeBron did last. Legends can credibly claim to be like Mike with the Bulls to set standard. Named Finals MVP all six times 34.0 points for the Oaks at 24 most people know that Jordan. To him in the 1986 playoffs time Michael and LeBron James only malone and LeBron and... 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