Let’s stick with what we know and examine the numbers. Nor do I know what a semi-zone would do to Jordan’s ability to ball-hawk on defense and high-post on offense. I don’t know if having a hand-check available would significantly help LeBron’s on-ball defense or hurt his driving game. That said, I don’t have a crystal ball to tell me how Jordan would function on a team loaded with three point shooters or how LeBron would play with no zone defense. Obviously there are other factors at play in today’s game that make it different from what it was in the early 1990s, so arguments could be made that adjusting for pace is only one piece of the comparison.

I adjusted Michael’s stats to the 2011-13 Heat pace, so that the possessions available to both players would be level and would be in keeping with today’s game. Both players were statistically and by reputation and accomplishment head and shoulders above the competition of their day. Both players had to adjust to sharing the spotlight with superstar teammates. They both had great stats but missed out on MVPs in the first season and then won back to back season MVPs and in Jordan’s case back to back Finals MVPs (LeBron may very well accomplish the same). Both players’ teams won 65+ games the third season. Both players won their first championship the next season. Both players lost to the eventual champs in their first season under these new circumstances, Jordan to the Pistons in 7 games and LeBron to the Mavericks in 6 games. The comparison is eerily apropos.īoth players were dealing with new team structures in the wake of playoff failure – Jordan with a ECF loss to the Pistons and the installation of Phil Jackson in the head coach position and the triangle offense changing his responsibilities – LeBron with a disappointing 2nd round loss to the Celtics and a change of teams to Miami. The seasons are 2011-2013 for LeBron James and 1990-1992 for Michael Jordan. You know I need to get in on this! Revisiting our pace adjusted comparison between Kobe’s best 4 years and Jordan’s 4 most comparable seasons, I’ve broken down the numbers on LeBron as a member of the Heat vs. In response to a quote from Pat Riley wherein he stated that LeBron James may be the best player ever, there’s been a healthy dialogue about whether or not James has a defensible argument as the G.O.A.T.

Lebron stats vs jordan