Who’s the true NBA GOAT- Michael Jordan or Lebron James?

Michael Jordan- Duh! By: Owen Ebner

Lebron…. Obviously: By: Spencer Lehmann

With 6 Rings, 6 Finals MVPs, 5 Regular Season MVPs, and a Defensive Player of the Year award, Michael Jordan is certainly the GOAT. After winning a National Championship at the University of North Carolina, Jordan was drafted to the Chicago Bulls. Jordan and Lebron James shared a similar beginning to their careers. Both collected individual accolades, such as Rookie of the Year, but struggled to capture an NBA championship. What differentiates them, however, is their prime years. Unlike Lebron, who fled Cleveland to chase a ring, Jordan was loyal and won it for the team that drafted him. He didn’t recruit other superstar players to help him: He utilized the pieces he already had. Additionally, after his first three-peat, Jordan retired, decided to play baseball, and three-peated again! He won all 6 of his championships in the 6 straight full seasons that he played. Lebron, on the other hand, has only won 4 championships across a 9-year window. Jordan’s run of championships was a feat of dominance that basketball has never seen. Jordan’s clout is also unrivaled. The Jordan brand is one of the biggest luxury streetwear brands in the world, as over 26 versions of shoes have been made bearing his iconic name and Jumpman logo. Most people don’t even wear them to play basketball but rather use them as formal shoes. Celebrities like DJ Khaled and Mark Wahlberg have collaborated with the brand, while countless others wear them for pleasure. Yes, Lebron also has a signature sneaker, but he doesn’t have his own brand, and the shoes are strictly used for sporting purposes. In most people’s eyes, Jordan has more “swag” than not just Lebron, but any athlete ever. Both on and off the court, Jordan is the Greatest of All Time. Through his famous, red Chicago Bulls Jersey he has made 23 the most recognizable jersey number ever, even influencing Lebron to wear it during his time in Cleveland. While I appreciate all of Lebron’s impressive accomplishments, I don’t think anyone ever has or can challenge Jordan for his title as the GOAT.

In comparison to Michael Jordan, Lebron James has continuously shown himself to be a better basketball player. First, Lebron has continuously played excellent basketball over a longer period of time. James has continuously played at an MVP level for more than 15 seasons, while Jordan took a short break from the game in the middle of his career to “retire”. Lebron had to enter the league with immense pressure and hype. Not only did he exceed the highest of expectations, but he has been a top 5 player since 2005. He won rookie of the year, four MVPs, four final’s MVPs, and had four championships. James's great ability and commitment to the game are evident from his longevity and consistency. James has also demonstrated that he is a more complete player. He is a great defender and has routinely produced remarkable numbers in points, rebounds, and assists. Lebron’s career averages are 27 PPG, 7.5 RPG, and 7.3 APG. He is an all-around monster that can play any position, guard any position, facilitate, score, and rebound. There is nothing Lebron can’t do on a basketball court. Jordan was more well-known for his scoring prowess, but James is a dominant force on both sides of the court. James has also routinely guided his teams to victory, including many NBA titles. Jordan had some impressive playoff runs, but James routinely led his teams all the way to the finals with the Heat, Lakers, and Cavaliers. 8 years in a row Lebron went to the finals, which was unheard of before him. Every year it was almost a given he would end up in the finals no matter what team he had. Even though Lebron did not go 6/6 in the finals like Jordan, Lebron had to play a much tougher competition against the Warriors with Kevin Durant. Also, Lebron has the greatest finals win ever when he overcame a 3-1 deficit against the Warriors who had the best record ever. His exceptional leadership abilities and capacity to perform well under duress are evident in his ability to guide his teams to victory. The overwhelming evidence points to Lebron James' superiority over Michael Jordan as a basketball player. He is one of the best players in the history of the sport because of his longevity, broad range of abilities, and leadership on the court.