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The NBA has had many superstars, but two players have stood out: LeBron James and Michael Jordan. People often compare them due to their status as the top two of the greatest players of all time discourse.
Despite their status as superstars, some folks want to push back at least on the comparisons between the two. Ron Harper is one of them, as he believes that comparing the two players is not a healthy discussion and, ultimately, a logical fallacy.
“They make the wrong comparison. When you look at LeBron James, you have to think of Oscar Robertson or Magic Johnson – big guards who can do everything.” Harper said to HoopsHype. “One thing they don’t give MJ credit for was his defense. MJ was an aggressive defensive player – one of the best of all-time at that two-guard spot. He doesn’t get any credit for that because everyone wants to talk about the way he scored the basketball, but MJ was a great defensive ball player too. So I don’t really put LeBron in that MJ conversation. I put LeBron with those big guys.”
Harper has a point because MJ and LeBron are vastly different. Jordan was more focused on scoring points as the go-to guy, while James’ primary goal has always been facilitating first. However, that should not discount Jordan’s playmaking ability because that is the most overlooked part of his career. MJ averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists, a well-rounded career stats split. He was versatile but focused mostly on scoring, which is why he gained a reputation for being the ultimate go-to guy.
The better comparison
A player who deserves comparisons to Jordan is Kobe Bryant. The Black Mamba is compared to Jordan because he modeled his game around His Airness. It is a natural conclusion for people since Kobe had similar traits to Jordan, like their 6’6″ frames and the signature fadeaway shot.
LeBron, on the other hand, is quite unique, with Oscar Robertson and Earvin “Magic” Johnson coming close due to their size and play style as bigger guards. James was a small forward for most of his career, but he handled the ball and played as a point forward while redefining the position.
The LeBron vs. Jordan comparison makes no sense
While MJ and Bron should not be compared based on their play styles, Harper acknowledges both players are superb. A large part of the NBA community gets caught up in stuff like that, which has led to some people not showing appreciation for the player they’re rooting against.
Basketball is always in constant flux, but legacies remain forever. Names like MJ and LeBron will stay in the discourse because one cannot discount their greatness. Comparisons will continue as new players enter the GOAT conversation in the future. People have to understand that players are different and contextualize how they analyze these NBA stars while trying to stick to a specific era.
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