At this stage of their careers, LeBron, and I'm a Jordan fan.
That's not what the question was. Re-read it again.
By the way, Jordan's numbers early on in his career were better than Lebron's. The age thing shouldn't hurt Michael. Also, Lebron's career will be shortened because of when he started, in all likelihood.
In Jordan's third year he averaged 37 PPG, 5 RPG, 5 APG, and nearly 3 steals per game. He was 23/24 that season.
If they played at the same time, Jordan would be the heralded player. Jordan's goal wasn't MONEY in life, it was championships. Lebron has stated multiple times that he wants to be the richest black man alive. His motivation is different.
This is hilarious. It really is. Jordan is one of, around, 5 players to win more than 5 titles. He's the greatest of all-time and some kid who hasn't even won a finals game can be in the discussion with him because he had played well for four years? Get out of here.
People aren't even positive he's the best player in the NBA. Some would argue. There's NO QUESTION, Jordan is the best player of all-time, and you want to tell me that some kid who may not be the best in the league now is more worthy than Jordan of anything on the court? No chance.
Jordan put 63 points up against one of the three greatest teams in the history of the NBA. Larry Bird called him god. Get out of here with all this Lebron bullshit. Win something first.
FWIW, i hate lebron....
and I still like today's NBA to rock the shit out of Jordan's NBA.....(not talking dream team vs redeem team....i'm talking bulls today vs. bulls 10-15 years ago, celts today vs. celts 10-15, etc.)
So Bill Russell is the best ever. Thread locked.
That Celtics team that Jordan got the 63 on is regarded as the best Celtics team ever. The teams then are better fundamentally, especially passing than today.
Let me put it this way, because this was how the question was asked:
If I started a team today, I could be guaranteed to have, arguably, the greatest NBA career/player of all-time and there's no question about that.
Or I could start with Lebron, an extremely talented player and a great physical specimen. He's not the scorer that Mike was but he's a terrific all-around player. He may turn out to be better than Mike, but odds don't say he will be.
Give me the sure thing, greatest of all-time to this point over a gamble.
Nothing is ever guaranteed. Jordan was the greatest. I wouldn't gamble on the fact that someone could be SLIGHTLY better. Jordan is basketball, and was basketball. No matter how good Lebron is, he'll never top that. Jordan was the first international superstar in the NBA.
So Bill Russell is the best ever. Thread locked.