Based on the silly arguments I have heard about hypothetical one-on-one matchups, I would like to briefly analyze the ultimate one-on-one matchup: Lebron v. Jordan.
Lebron James
Listed height: 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight: 250 lb (113 kg)
Lebron is an all-time great player BUT not a great one-one-one player. He is great in transition, getting his teammates involved, has unreal vision, plays good defense, has great size and strength as well as explosive leaping ability. This argument is not about statistics it's about the player's profile or 'game.' While his metrics are impressive, his skill set doesn't necessarily make him a great isolation (ISO) player. His jump shot has improved over the last two years but prior to that he was an average jump shooter (his shooting percentage stayed high because his volume of shots was relatively low and he is a great finisher). My biggest issue with Lebron in this scenario is his lack of a killer instinct; Jordan would never pass up a shot in the last possession of a tight game but Lebron (for better or for worse) trusts his teammates (even his sorry supporting cast in Cleveland whom he somehow carried into the NBA Finals).
Michael Jordan
Listed height 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight 216 lb (98 kg)
The case for Michael Jordan is simple. Greatest player of all-time. He can score in a myriad of ways, dribble drive, mid-range jumper, finish at the rim, plus his killer instinct and smarts are better in a one-on-one scenario. Everyone remembers how he crossed-over and hit the game winning jumper over Byron Russell in the NBA Finals (while sick with the flu). But he abused countless shooting guards in the NBA with dynamic isolation play. Especially after his third year in the NBA, when his jump shot noticeably improved and he averaged an astounding 37.1 ppg on 48% shooting. In a recent interview, Jordan astutely analyzed Lebron by saying that "when he goes right he drives to the hoop, when he goes left he shoots jump shots." Imagine what he would do if he had a week in his prime to prepare to defend Lebron. To top it off, at the age of 49, he beat the #2 pick in the 2013 draft (Charlotte Bobcat SG Michael Kidd-Gilchrist) in a game of one-on-one. Impressive.
Winner: MJ
Lebron's game isn't built for a competition like this, he is not selfish enough or as good of a one-on-one player as Jordan was in his prime. In my opinion, there are 4 players from this generation that would match up better against MJ than Lebron: Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and Tracy McGrady. Why? They all have a height advantage and are equally as athletic as MJ, plus they have the offensive and defensive skill set to seriously challenge MJ (see below).
Note: A player like Kobe is big, has a great jump shot, deep range, can finish well around the rim, has great size and quickness and a fantastic post-up game plus he is a closer. In a separate argument, I would take Kobe over Lebron because he is essentially this generation's version of MJ, but his shot volume and shooting percentage are significantly lower than MJ. Carmelo Anthony endeared himself to basketball nation by leading Syracuse to a national title in his freshman season and has all the offensive tools, size and strength to pose a threat to Jordan. KD is a nightmare matchup because he can handle the ball, has limitless range and can shoot over anyone. Tracy McGrady was an incredible isolation player and at 6'8" 225, you had to respect his jumper, he could fly by you off the dribble had great finishing ability.
Lebron James
Listed height: 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight: 250 lb (113 kg)
Lebron is an all-time great player BUT not a great one-one-one player. He is great in transition, getting his teammates involved, has unreal vision, plays good defense, has great size and strength as well as explosive leaping ability. This argument is not about statistics it's about the player's profile or 'game.' While his metrics are impressive, his skill set doesn't necessarily make him a great isolation (ISO) player. His jump shot has improved over the last two years but prior to that he was an average jump shooter (his shooting percentage stayed high because his volume of shots was relatively low and he is a great finisher). My biggest issue with Lebron in this scenario is his lack of a killer instinct; Jordan would never pass up a shot in the last possession of a tight game but Lebron (for better or for worse) trusts his teammates (even his sorry supporting cast in Cleveland whom he somehow carried into the NBA Finals).
Michael Jordan
Listed height 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight 216 lb (98 kg)
The case for Michael Jordan is simple. Greatest player of all-time. He can score in a myriad of ways, dribble drive, mid-range jumper, finish at the rim, plus his killer instinct and smarts are better in a one-on-one scenario. Everyone remembers how he crossed-over and hit the game winning jumper over Byron Russell in the NBA Finals (while sick with the flu). But he abused countless shooting guards in the NBA with dynamic isolation play. Especially after his third year in the NBA, when his jump shot noticeably improved and he averaged an astounding 37.1 ppg on 48% shooting. In a recent interview, Jordan astutely analyzed Lebron by saying that "when he goes right he drives to the hoop, when he goes left he shoots jump shots." Imagine what he would do if he had a week in his prime to prepare to defend Lebron. To top it off, at the age of 49, he beat the #2 pick in the 2013 draft (Charlotte Bobcat SG Michael Kidd-Gilchrist) in a game of one-on-one. Impressive.
Winner: MJ
Lebron's game isn't built for a competition like this, he is not selfish enough or as good of a one-on-one player as Jordan was in his prime. In my opinion, there are 4 players from this generation that would match up better against MJ than Lebron: Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and Tracy McGrady. Why? They all have a height advantage and are equally as athletic as MJ, plus they have the offensive and defensive skill set to seriously challenge MJ (see below).
Note: A player like Kobe is big, has a great jump shot, deep range, can finish well around the rim, has great size and quickness and a fantastic post-up game plus he is a closer. In a separate argument, I would take Kobe over Lebron because he is essentially this generation's version of MJ, but his shot volume and shooting percentage are significantly lower than MJ. Carmelo Anthony endeared himself to basketball nation by leading Syracuse to a national title in his freshman season and has all the offensive tools, size and strength to pose a threat to Jordan. KD is a nightmare matchup because he can handle the ball, has limitless range and can shoot over anyone. Tracy McGrady was an incredible isolation player and at 6'8" 225, you had to respect his jumper, he could fly by you off the dribble had great finishing ability.
Lebron James shouldn't even be in the conversation. He doesn't have the same competitive spirit/energy that MJ brings to the table. MJ would steal your moma's pink swede shoes if he thought that would give him a competitive edge. Have you ever heard of MJ work out routines? Or how he would do a legtimate work-out as a "warm-up" for gametime. Tracy McGrady was an amazing athlete, but that competitiveness wasn't there. Physically, he should've dominated everything. Kevin Durante is an exciting player to watch because he's so young and he's already been giving teams match-up issues. What will it take to get his game to the next level? Carmello? well he's nice but I don't think I'd put him in this conversation either.
ReplyDeleteFor his time period, MJ dominated the NBA. Completely ruled it. And this is during a period where there were other game-changing superstars - Shaquille O'Neil, Karl Malone, Hakim Olijewan (sp?). No one ever talks about these guys ... it's always MJ, MJ, MJ... that says something. You could say that MJ was a championship robber cuz when he played, no other team got anything. That same statement cannot be said for ANYONE in the NBA right now.
on a more serious note:
ReplyDeletehttp://wtfismikewearing.tumblr.com/
Eden. I agree with you about the competitiveness of Lebron, but never underestimate his pre-game routine. http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2012/12/lebron-james-bike-rides-to-miami-heat-games-to-stay-in-shape/
ReplyDeleteI checked the box score of the Wiz game in Dec 2012 and they won by 30. Lebron had 23, 10 rebs and 5 assists.
Your spelling of Hakeem Olajuwon name really didn't need the sp? after it bec it was mispelled so badly you should have your comment rights revoked. You can add O'Neal to that list as well. Ever heard of Google? lol
You forget that Detroit had Chicago's number and MJ had to mature into a championship player. Plus my argument was not if one of these players were better but rather who in this generation would challenge MJ in a one-on-one game.
The players I selected are great ISO players with the total offensive package, this isn't a comparison of careers. If healthy in a one-on-one matchup I believe these four players would challenge MJ.