MJ’s achievements as a basketball player can only be described as otherworldly. He dominated his opponents throughout his career, never even needing to play a game 7 in the NBA Finals. His flawless 6-0 record in the Finals sets an incredibly high standard for present-day players, with LeBron being the closest to matching his success.
Though LeBron’s 3-6 record in the Finals may be seen as disappointing, his dominance in the playoffs cannot be denied. At just 23 years old, he led the Cavs to the Finals in 2007, although they were ultimately swept by the Spurs. More recently, he faced a similar fate when his team, the Cavaliers, were swept by the Warriors in 2018. However, LeBron’s incredible consistency is evident in his 8 consecutive Finals appearances, with 4 each for the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers, and 13 consecutive playoff runs. It’s worth noting that Jordan also faced his fair share of struggles early on, only truly reaching his dominant form after teaming up with Scottie Pippen.
When comparing LeBron James and Michael Jordan through the lens of statistics, LeBron emerges as the leading scorer in playoff history, having amassed a whopping 6,911 points compared to Jordan’s 5,987 points. However, it’s important to acknowledge that LeBron has played 60 more playoff games than Jordan’s 179. In terms of scoring per game, Jordan holds the edge with an average of 33.4 points, surpassing LeBron’s 28.9. LeBron, on the other hand, surpasses Jordan in rebounding (8.9 to 6.4) and assists (7.1 to 5.7). Their defensive prowess can be a subject of personal preference, with Jordan excelling in on-ball defense with an average of 2.1 steals per game, while LeBron’s athleticism and size give him a slight advantage in blocks (1 to 0.9). LeBron’s iconic block on Andre Iguodala is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive plays in NBA history, while MJ is renowned for his unforgettable shots against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Utah Jazz.
LeBron’s 6 Finals losses are often seen as blemishes on his record, despite Jordan having won the same number of championships. It’s important to note that LeBron faced an unbeatable Golden State Warriors team for two consecutive years (2017, 2018) and was plagued by injuries in 2015. His 2007 Cavaliers were no match for the Spurs, and their lack of competitiveness in that series was widely expected. The two losses that stand out on LeBron’s record are the Finals defeats in Miami. The 2014 loss can be attributed to the dominant Spurs, who outperformed a declining Heat team. However, there is no excuse for LeBron’s underwhelming performance against Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks in 2011, which remains his darkest playoff moment. In contrast, Jordan does not have a comparable moment of playoff disappointment.
When looking at advanced stats to determine their value to their respective teams, Jordan holds the edge in player efficiency rating (PER), with a score of 28.6 compared to LeBron’s 28.3. He also leads the all-time playoff leaderboard in PER and Box Plus/Minus, as well as having the highest usage percentage (35.6) compared to LeBron’s 32.2. However, LeBron surpasses Jordan in Value Over Replacement (VORP) and Win Shares. LeBron’s VORP of 30.8 is significantly higher than Jordan’s 24.7, suggesting that his absence from the court would have a more detrimental effect on his team compared to Jordan’s absence. Furthermore, LeBron’s win shares of 51 exceed Jordan’s 39.8, showcasing his impact on winning. Surprisingly, LeBron also surpasses Jordan in true shooting percentage, shooting at 57.9% compared to Jordan’s 56.8%.
Ultimately, the comparison between LeBron James and Michael Jordan comes down to personal preference. Do you prefer Jordan’s seemingly unbeatable peak or LeBron’s sustained excellence, which has not always come with championship victories? This debate is far from settled, especially as LeBron embarks on another playoff run in his pursuit of becoming the first player to win Finals MVP on three different teams. To solidify his legacy, LeBron doesn’t need to chase the shadow of Michael Jordan. Instead, he should focus on the present and ensure that his unique playoff achievements are remembered just as fondly as Jordan’s.
