Carlos Negrete

Clair Wilden
ENGL 120
3 November 2021
MJ vs LeBron James
Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan is the greatest player to ever pick up a basketball. He led the Chicago Bulls to six
NBA championships, winning 3 championships in a row twice, and has won the Most Valuable
Player Award five times.

Michael Jordan did it all. An NBA legend, Olympic athlete, businessperson and actor.
Considered one of the best basketball players ever, he took over the game of basketball from the
1980s up to the late 1990s where he would cement his legacy on top.

Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships and earned the NBA's Most Valuable
Player Award five times. Adding five regular-season MVPs and three All-Star MVPs, Jordan
became the most decorated player in the NBA. In 1988, Michael Jordan would add Defensive
Player of the Year to the list of awards and cement that stat adding an average 35 points per
game all season. No other player has ever won DPOY and averaged over 30 ppg in a season. No
other DPOY winner has averaged 30 in any season across their career. Jordan also never missed
a single game that season.

Early Life

Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York. Jordan would
later move where he would grow up in Wilmington, North Carolina. There, Jordan would
develop a competitive edge at an early age. Jordan would develop the drive to win at all costs.

Jordan grew up living a stable family life. His mother, Delores, was a bank teller who has since
written several books. His father, James, was a maintenance worker turned to a manager at
General Electric. Jordan also had four siblings, Larry, Deloris, Roslyn and James Jr.
College Career

After getting cut from his own High School basketball team, Jordan would use that to drive him.
Later Jordan would enroll at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in and soon became
a superstar on the men's basketball team. UNC would later go on to win the NCAA
championship in 1982, with pressure on Jordan, where he would score the final basket needed to
defeat Georgetown University. After the championship, he was singled out as the NCAA
College Player of the Year in 1983 and in 1984. Jordan left college after his junior year to enter
the NBA draft in 1984. Professional Basketball Career.

Chicago Bulls
Jordan began his professional basketball career when he was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in
1984. He would be the third overall pick, behind the dream Hakeem Olajuwon, who was selected
first by the Houston Rockets, and center Sam Bowie taken by the Portland Trail Blazers the draft
included legendary players John Stockton and Charles Barkley.

Jordan would soon prove himself on the court. As a rookie he would help the team make the
playoffs and score an average of 28.2 points per game that season. Jordan would receive the
NBA Rookie of the Year Award and was also selected for the All-Star Game.

During his second season Jordan would be taken on a detour. He would break his foot at the start
of the season sidelining Michael. He was breaking never before seen numbers on the court
during the 1986-87 season. Jordan became the first player since Wilt Chamberlain to score more
than 3,000 points in a single season.

By the late 1980s, the Chicago Bulls were quickly becoming a force in the league, and Jordan
would lead and become an instrumental part of the team's success.

The Bulls made it to the Eastern Conference Finals in 1990 and won their first NBA
championship the following year by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers. Jordan would have a big
name and became well known by then for his highlights on the court and for his pure will to
win.

In 1992, the Chicago Bulls would beat the Portland Trail Blazers to win their second NBA
championship. The team took their third championship the following year, dominating in the
basketball world.

Following a three peat, winning three championships in a row. Jordan would announce
retirement. Jordan would take his talents to baseball, A sport his father who passed loved dearly.
In March 1995 Jordan would announce his return to the game of basketball court for the Chicago
Bulls. He came back even stronger the following year, averaging 30.4 points per game to lead
the Bulls to a record 72 regular-season wins before they would beat the Seattle SuperSonics for
the NBA championship.

Chicago would come close and almost match the previous year's record with 69 wins in 1996-97,
a season that ended with a game a historic game six win over the Utah Jazz in the NBA Finals.
The two teams faced each other again for the championship in 1998, with Jordan taking the ball
with seconds left taking the final shot, winning in Game 6 of the finals to claim his sixth NBA
title.

Retirements from Basketball

Over the 19 years since beginning his professional basketball career, Jordan retired from the
sport three times. He first retired in 1993 and again in 1998, then finally hung up his jersey for
the last time in 2003.

Lebron James
LeBron James became an immediate star straight from high school he would skip college to
enter the draft and be drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Later, he led the Miami Heat to NBA
titles in 2012 and 2013 and won another championship with the long awaited return to Cleveland
in 2016, before joining the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 where he would win a ring.

Who Is LeBron James?

LeBron James is an NBA player, the King. James first gained national attention as the top high
school basketball player in the country. He would become a four-time NBA MVP. After leading
the Miami Heat to titles in 2012 and 2013, James made the legendary and long awaited return to
Cleveland and helped the franchise claim its first championship in 2016. The king would also
win a ring in LA.

Early Life and High School Basketball Career

James was born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio. At an early age, James showed a natural
talent for the game of basketball. He was recruited by St. Vincent-St. Mary High School to join
their basketball team in 1999. James scored 2,657 points, 892 rebounds and 523 assists during
his four years.

As a freshman, James averaged 18 points per game. He helped drive the team to a Division III
state title where he would score 25 points in the championship game. Word of his basketball
skills started to spread.

As a high school sophomore, James was chosen for the USA Today All-USA First Team. He was
the first sophomore ever to be selected for this award. His team would also win the Division III
state title for the second year in a row

The following school year, James would be named PARADE magazine's High School Boys
Basketball Player of the Year and notorious Gatorade Player of the Year. Following the end of
his junior year, James was such a talented player and he contemplated going pro early.
Deciding to finish his education, James had a tremendous senior year on the court. He averaged
31.6 points per game, helping his team clinch their third state title. The St. Vincent-St. Mary
High School team also earned the top national ranking that year with James leading them.

The Draft

With his impressive record, it was no surprise that James would skip college and enter the draft.
He would be selected as the number one draft pick in the 2003 NBA Draft straight out of high
school. The Cleveland Cavaliers signed the powerful, talented young forward, and he proved to
be a valuable addition to the struggling franchise.

Cleveland Cavaliers

During the 2003-04 season, James made history when he became the first member of the
Cavalier franchise to win the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He also became the youngest
player at only 20 years of age to receive the award.

James, averaging 20 points per game at this time, became one of only three rookies to ever
accomplish this, putting him in the same company as Air Jordan and Oscar Robertson.

James continued to dominate the NBA the following season, he would average 27.2 points per
game. He made NBA history again in 2005 when he became the youngest player to score more
than 50 points in one game.

In 2006, James helped his team beat the Washington Wizards in the first round of playoffs. From
there, the Cavaliers took on the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference semifinals. James
scored an average of 26.6 per game in this postseason matchup, but this wasn't enough to secure
the victory for his team. While his team wasn't at the top of the rankings, James himself
continued to be seen as the rising star.
In 2006, James reached a new contract agreement with the Cavaliers. The team proved to be
stronger competitors the following season, the team would go on to defeat Detroit to win the
Eastern Conference championship. James would face the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals,
the Cavaliers lost their championship being swept.

During the 2007-08 season, James continued to help the Cavaliers improve their standing in the
Eastern Conference. The team made it to the semifinals, where they would lose to the Boston
Celtics in seven games. They would lose but James had a legendary year, outperforming now
legendary players, The Black Mamba Kobe Bryant and The Answer Allen Iverson by scoring an
average of 30 points per game, the highest average in the NBA regular season.

Early in the 2008-09 season, sports journalists and fans began talking about James' future in the
sport. He had the option to become a free agent in 2010, and there was much discussion as to
where James would end up.

So….. Who is the goat, LeBron or Jordan?

LeBron vs Jordan. Which one of these legendary players is the goat? This has been a debate in
sports for quite a while now. James has been compared to Michael Jordan as well as the late
Mamba, Kobe Bryant.

LeBron idolized Michael Jordan, and now he has pushed himself into the discussion as who is
the greatest player of all time.

These are two ways to look at which player is the greatest of all time. First, we will look at
Micheal Jordan and his career.

Michael Jordan Career vs. LeBron’s Career

Jordan has more awards than LeBron does. He has a better record in the NBA Finals. His record
stands at 6-0, and he has won 6 NBA titles. Miahael has more rings than LeBron. Jordans six
rings to Lebron's four.

Jordan has rings for 1991,1992,1993,1996,1997, and 1998.

Jordan has one more MVP award than James. He was named Defensive player of the year, which
is not on LeBron’s awards list. Jordan also has three more defensive players of the year awards
than King James. Looking at LeBron’s stats and awards, we compare the legends.

LeBron James’ numbers show that he is a better overall player. But, Jordan has scored more
overall and has a better finals record. LeBron’s stats show that he is more efficient than Jordan.

Jordan has a better free throw percentage, and that improves his points per game average. Both
James and Jordan are close in their efficiency ratings. Michael Jordan had more steals per game
than LeBron, but they are the same when it comes to blocks per game.

James has more turnovers than Jordan. LeBron could surpass Jordan since he is still playing, and
he has some more years left in his career.

Teammates and competitions

As we take a dive into the statistics for LeBron vs Jordan, it is easy to see how on paper LeBron
is the greatest player of all time. We have to look at everything. Think about the Eastern
Conference when Jordan was playing and the competition, the superstars that Jordan had to play
against.

You can see a big difference. Even Jordan's teammate Steve Kerr commented on this and the
skill of the players being totally different today than the 90s.

Michael Jordan also only had a few big players supporting him. These players were Scottie
Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Horace grant.
Jordan also played against many halls of farmers. Some included greats like Larry Bird, Magic
Johnson, James Worthy, John Stockton, Charles Barkley, and Karl Malone.

LeBron, LeBron has had it easy. The king has had many superstars supporting him. He has
played with Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, Ray Allen, Anthony Davis,
Carmello Anthony.

James has had a lot of superstar players aid him since he began playing in the NBA. LeBron has
had more seasons with hall of fame players than Jordan did. But James would have more
Superstars joining his teams.

LeBron James is also playing in the Western Conference, which has gotten weaker in the last
few years. James has faced two dynasty teams since he started playing in the NBA.

Michael Jordan has faced 24 halls of farmers on 48 different occasions. His record against these
teams is 26-22. That is 54%. LeBron faced 25 on 66 occasions. His record is 35-31, 53%.

No matter how you look at it, Stats,

Teammates, Competition, Rings,
Awards. Jordan comes out on top
in every discussion. Jordan is The
GOAT.
Michael Jordan’s Career Numbers

Regular Season:

● Points Per Game: 30.1

● Rebounds: 6.2
● Assists: 5.3
● Field Goal percentage: 49.7%
● 3 Pointers: 32.7
● Free Throw percentage: 83.5%
● Player Efficiency Rating: 27.9
● Steals: 2.3
● Blocks: 8

In the Finals:

● Record: 6-0
● PPG: 33.6
● Rebounds: 6.0
● Assists: 5.9
● Field goal percentage: 48.4%
● 3 Pointers: 34.3
● Steal: 1.7
● Blocks: 65
● Turnovers: 2.82

Michael Jordan Awards:

● Hall of Famer
● 6 X NBA Champ
● NBA Finals Record:6-0
● 6 X NBA Finals MVP
● 5 X MVP
● 14 X All-Star
 ● 11 X All NBA Team
● 9 X All-Defensive Player
● 87-88- Defensive Player of the Year
● 84-85-Rookie of the Year

LeBron James’ Career

Numbers

Regular Season:

● Points Per Game: 27.1

● Rebounds: 7.4
● Assists: 7.4
● Field Goal%: 50.5
● 3 Point: 34.4
● Free Throw %: 73.4%
● Player Efficiency Rating:27.5
● Steals: 1.6
● Blocks:.8
● Turnovers:3.5
Finals:

● Record: 4-6
● PPG:28.4
● Rebounds: 10.2
● Assists: 7.8
● Field goal: 48.4
● 3PT: 35.2%
● Steals:1.6
● Blocks:.83
● Turnovers:3.94

Lebron James Awards:

● Future Hall of Famer

● 4X NBA Champ
● 4X NBA Finals MVP
● 4 X MVP
● 16 X All-Star
● 16 X All-Star NBA Team
● 6X All-Defensive Player
● 03-04- Rookie of the Year
Sources:

Smith, Sam. There Is No Next NBA Legends on the Legacy of Michael Jordan. Diversion Books,
2014.

Bryant, Howard. Legends: The Best Players, Games, and Teams in Basketball. Puffin Books,
2018.

Aretha, David. Lebron vs. Durant vs. Curry vs. Jordan. Rosen Publishing, 2020.

Jacobson, Austin. The Greatest Basketball Player of All Time: LeBron vs. Jordan. Running
head: LEBRON V. JORDAN. 2018

Al-Imam A (2017) Who is the GOAT: Jordan, Bryant or King James? J Athl Enhance 6:5.