Adrian K. Thompson Jr.
Sports Writer
When LeBron James lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first NBA Title in 2016, discussions began on who was the better basketball player. I feel like this debate ended years ago!
First things first, we have to acknowledge the fact that Jordan is currently the greatest basketball player in most people’s eyes PERIOD, regardless of generations. James is known to be the ‘chosen one’ to most people, even if they don’t like him. To be completely honest, that’s why most people don’t like him; he was ‘given’ the title as the next GOAT (greatest of all time) ahead of Jordan or as number two on the all time greats list.
The question you must ask yourself is this, “How can LeBron James be considered greater than Michael Jordan?” The answer to most would be the usual, “He came out of high school playing competitively in the NBA; or “He never had the amount of pressure MJ had to deal with; or “He played against better talent than MJ” etc.
People, let it go! Jordan did things that no one could EVER imagine! This man’s resume speaks for itself! His numbers are through the roof, 6x NBA champion with an undefeated record as well as 6 Finals MVP awards. His career average is 30 PPG and it would be even higher had he not came back for 2 ½ years to play for the Washington Wizards! He’s a 5x league MVP and he should have more if you want to be honest. He has 10 scoring titles and even won Defensive Player of the Year. The one thing that MJ did not give his fans was to see him play in a Game 7 of an NBA Finals, and that’s because he never allowed a series to go to a Game 7!
On the flipside with James, he’s done great work as well. He came out of high school and started to make a name for an NBA team that had never even thought about possibly winning a title. He has dominated the league since 2011 up until now, going to 6 straight NBA Finals in a row!
The alternative fact is this; He did not do it with one team. He had to go a super team to be able to get to the finals and actually win. I remember in 2010 when he announced he would be taking his talents to South Beach, Fla. I became very critical of him then because I expected him to do a 3-peat in Miami and he failed to do so.
This season he is playing the best basketball of his career, currently having an 8-0 run in the NBA playoffs. We all know he will reach the finals but if he loses he will have a horrible stain on his record and his legacy since he is chasing the “Ghost of Michael Jordan”.
We still have a good 8 years to see what James can do as far as becoming the greatest basketball player in the NBA history books, but I honestly feel that his ship has sailed for being the GOAT over MJ.
I feel Kobe Bryant is the closest thing to Michael Jordan. I will say this is James’ defense, if he figures out a way to beat the high-powered talented Golden State Warriors team; people will attempt to call him the GOAT. Let’s sit back and see the results!
The views expressed in this commentary are those of the writer and in no way represent the views of The Blue & White Flash.
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