Why is LeBron being compared to Jordan instead of Magic Johnson?

[Ken_Masters]

LeBron's game resembles that of Johnson and not Jordan. LeBron rarely erupts for huge amounts of points like Jordan did. LeBron is a walking triple double like Magic Johnson and will probably end up with a career very similar to Magic Johnson, which is very very good and top 10 all-time worthy, but still a notch below Jordan. So why is there even a comparison between James and Jordan?

[inclinerator]

he is compared to both, he is a combination somewhat

[AngelEyes]

Never heard this before...

[edrick]

Who knows.

[305Baller]

Because basketball fans are mostly idiots.

:)

[WWRWestbrookDo?]

Because basketball fans are mostly idiots.

:)
:applause:

[Mrofir]

he is compared to both, he is a combination somewhat

he scores more than magic, but doesn't pass as well


or he passes better than MJ, but doesn't score/defend as well

[che guevara]

He doesn't resemble either guy. His game isn't any more similar to Magic than Jordan.

[TheReal Kendall]

I don't really care! What's up with these damn popup ads? So damn annoying

[shady6121]

Because basketball fans are mostly idiots.

:)

This. :lol

[Leftimage]

Great thread.



:coleman:

[kamil]

This MJ comparison needs to stop. LeBron* has never done anything on MJ's level. 1/3 in finals? 4th quarter choke jobs? Can't lead a team to a ring even with a stacked miami team, only to get it the next year thus resulting in an asterisk?

[bdreason]

For some reason, the media just immediately compares everyone to Jordan. It's like guys like Bird and Magic don't exist. And it's not just LeBron.

[NattyPButter]

I don't really care! What's up with these damn popup ads? So damn annoying

U must be new to the internet. Get ******* for your browser.

[FreezingTsmoove]

I don't really care! What's up with these damn popup ads? So damn annoying

april 2013 :facepalm :facepalm

[I<3NBA]

every great after Jordan will always be compared to him, even if there was no similarity. that's just the way it is. ppl will keep on comparing great players to Jordan until there comes a time a player who is OBVIOUSLY GREATER THAN JORDAN arrives. and then that player will be the next one getting the comparisons for all preceding players after him.

which just proves that MJ is still the GOAT.

[chosen_wun]

Shaq and Jason Kidd had a baby.

[Leftimage]

This MJ comparison needs to stop. LeBron* has never done anything on MJ's level. 1/3 in finals? 4th quarter choke jobs? Can't lead a team to a ring even with a stacked miami team, only to get it the next year thus resulting in an asterisk?

Oh boy, You're gonna have a bad time the next couple years...
Maybe you should consider being cryogenically frozen til Lebron's done climbing the charts.

[FreezingTsmoove]

such a disrespect with jordan and magic, what has lebron ever done without a team that can win without him and the help of the refs to deserve comparison? :facepalm , jordan and magic were the heart and brains of their teams...

what has jordan done without a team that can win without him

[kamil]

For some reason, the media just immediately compares everyone to Jordan. It's like guys like Bird and Magic don't exist. And it's not just LeBron.

Its because they want someone to idolize. Just like what Gretzky did to hockey and there isnt anyone close to taking him down except for Crosby. The same goes for LeBron* compared to Jordan. There's no comparison.

http://jeffreylin.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Jordan-vs-Kobe-vs-LeBron.png

[kamil]

Oh boy, You're gonna have a bad time the next couple years...
Maybe you should consider being cryogenically frozen til Lebron's done climbing the charts.

Are you stupid? I said he never has. I didn't say he never will.

Improve your reading comprehension skills or GTFO.

[KevinNYC]

LeBron's game resembles that of Johnson and not Jordan. LeBron rarely erupts for huge amounts of points like Jordan did. LeBron is a walking triple double like Magic Johnson and will probably end up with a career very similar to Magic Johnson, which is very very good and top 10 all-time worthy, but still a notch below Jordan. So why is there even a comparison between James and Jordan?

The very first time I saw LeBron play I thought of Magic and not Jordan. There was some high school game that ESPN showed. I tuned in to see what the hype was about. It was obvious that he could have gotten to the basket any time he wanted. What surprised me was that he deliberately was getting all his other teamates involved and he wasn't just an athletic freak, but understood the game too. He made me a believer that day, that we might one day be seeing him have a season like he has this year.

[tazb]

such a disrespect with jordan and magic, what has lebron ever done without a team that can win without him and the help of the refs to deserve comparison? :facepalm , jordan and magic were the heart and brains of their teams...
:roll: Kobe-tards should've went to sleep early tonight. That game-winner is showing how retarded they really are.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Neither Jordan, Magic or Bird. He is...Lebron James.

[Greg Oden 50]

he is compared to both, he is a combination somewhat

he doesn't has jordan's graceful :no:

[k0kakw0rld]

This MJ comparison needs to stop. LeBron* has never done anything on MJ's level. 1/3 in finals? 4th quarter choke jobs? Can't lead a team to a ring even with a stacked miami team, only to get it the next year thus resulting in an asterisk?
Never lost in the first Round. Can MJ top that? :rockon: :bowdown: :pimp:

[plowking]

Because hes already a better individual player than Magic.

With Jordan its comparable, and people are just waiting to see the accolades Lebron can rack up to see if it becomes a comparison.

[Psileas]

Because most fans suffer from an annoying lack of imagination, perspective and knowledge. They also suffer from insecurity in that they see the next big thing that even remotely resembles their idol and expect to get their idol's second coming, never coming in terms with the fact that his era is over.

I don't think LeBron closely resembles any other star player that was the idol of millions. I see no more Jordan or Magic than I see Baylor or Oscar in him.

[Nash]

Because he scores as much as Jordan while managing to playmake like Magic.

[Ken_Masters]

Because he scores as much as Jordan while managing to playmake like Magic.

He is many notches below Jordan as a scorer, and probably slightly below Johnson as a play maker. He has a better chance of emulating Johnson's career than he does of emulating Jordan's. Besides passing, Jordan is more skilled and effective than James across the board.

[K Xerxes]

I think we should wait until the end of LeBron's career before we compare him to the all-time greats. Not because of how much accolades he can collect, but I'm interested in how long he can dominate in his prime, if he can continue to improve his long-range game and FT shooting, and particularly how LeBron approaches his declining athleticism.

But I think people make the mistake that LeBron (or any other future superstar) has to be like Jordan to match and ultimately surpass him. He doesn't. He can approach the game differently (which he does) and end up greater. Who was the greatest before Jordan? Kareem? Magic? Bird? How similar is Jordan to them?

I'm in no way saying that LeBron will end up greater (I dont think he will), but the approach doesnt have to approach the game the same way as Jordan.

WIth regards to LeBron, he is the first of his kind. I've never seen someone that can combine scoring, facilitating, rebounding and defending like LeBron.

[GrapeApe]

I've always thought of LeBron as a Magic/Pippen hybrid. His game really doesn't resemble Jordan's at all.

[TheMan]

Never lost in the first Round. Can MJ top that? :rockon: :bowdown: :pimp:
MJ never lost in the Finals...top THAT!
:applause:

[NumberSix]

His game doesn't really resemble either of them.

[NumberSix]

I think we should wait until the end of LeBron's career before we compare him to the all-time greats. Not because of how much accolades he can collect, but I'm interested in how long he can dominate in his prime, if he can continue to improve his long-range game and FT shooting, and particularly how LeBron approaches his declining athleticism.

But I think people make the mistake that LeBron (or any other future superstar) has to be like Jordan to match and ultimately surpass him. He doesn't. He can approach the game differently (which he does) and end up greater. Who was the greatest before Jordan? Kareem? Magic? Bird? How similar is Jordan to them?

I'm in no way saying that LeBron will end up greater (I dont think he will), but the approach doesnt have to approach the game the same way as Jordan.

WIth regards to LeBron, he is the first of his kind. I've never seen someone that can combine scoring, facilitating, rebounding and defending like LeBron.
What for? What's the use of pretending he's not already one of the best ever right now? You can wait til its too late and appreciate him when his career is over, but I'll enjoy it while its happening.

[plowking]

Besides passing, Jordan is more skilled and effective than James across the board.

No, he isn't.

Lebron is better than Jordan at a whole range of things on the basketball court.

[NumberSix]

MJ never lost in the Finals...top THAT!
:applause:
Neither had Melo.

[Kurosawa0]

I love MJ, but to pretend LeBron isn't on that level right now is crazy. Career-wise? Of course not yet, but just right now? LeBron right now is in the conversation with any single version of Jordan.

The question is what LeBron's resume ultimately looks like next to MJ's.

[I.R.Beast]

LeBron's game resembles that of Johnson and not Jordan. LeBron rarely erupts for huge amounts of points like Jordan did. LeBron is a walking triple double like Magic Johnson and will probably end up with a career very similar to Magic Johnson, which is very very good and top 10 all-time worthy, but still a notch below Jordan. So why is there even a comparison between James and Jordan?
Both are bad comparison...James is not nearly the passer that magic was and they play nothing alike, and Lebron is not nearly the relentless competitor and clutch player that jordan was and their game is nothing alike. LeBron is LeBron...he compares to no other great.

[Magic 32]

I love MJ, but to pretend LeBron isn't on that level right now is crazy. Career-wise? Of course not yet, but just right now? LeBron right now is in the conversation with any single version of Jordan.

The question is what LeBron's resume ultimately looks like next to MJ's.

http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/media/pistons/badboys_400_080325.jpg

[I.R.Beast]

I love MJ, but to pretend LeBron isn't on that level right now is crazy. Career-wise? Of course not yet, but just right now? LeBron right now is in the conversation with any single version of Jordan.

The question is what LeBron's resume ultimately looks like next to MJ's.
If lebron didnt have 2 superstars to make the most stacked team in the league this comment wouldn't exist. LBJ can't touch Jordan i'm sorry. Jordan never had a 3 superstar team.

[fpliii]

If lebron didnt have 2 superstars to make the most stacked team in the league this comment wouldn't exist. LBJ can't touch Jordan i'm sorry. Jordan never had a 3 superstar team.

Not a LeBron guy, but Bosh is by no means a superstar. An all-star for sure (since he's started for years), but he's in the handful of top players in this league.

[TheMan]

No, he isn't.

Lebron is better than Jordan at a whole range of things on the basketball court.
True, like getting outscored by a reserve in a Finals series:applause:

LBJ clearly better than MJ in that:bowdown:

[Trollsmasher]

True, like getting outscored by a reserve in a Finals series:applause:

LBJ clearly better than MJ in that:bowdown:
He is also better at not getting swept in the 1st round without HOF teammate:lol

Damn, this never came to me. I thought MJ made it out of the 1st round at least once without HOF teammate, but he did not:roll:

[plowking]

True, like getting outscored by a reserve in a Finals series:applause:

LBJ clearly better than MJ in that:bowdown:

People who claim they were grown enough to see MJ play and claim they're in their mid 30's+ posting like this.

Sad. :oldlol:

[hitmanyr2k]

No, he isn't.

Lebron is better than Jordan at a whole range of things on the basketball court.

The only thing Lebron truly trumps Jordan at is disappearing. Last night 2011 Lebron re-appeared before his teammates rescued him. I never thought I'd see the day again where Lebron played hot potato with the ball and then ran to the corner to hide on multiple possessions letting scrubs like Battier take 25+ foot three pointers with the shot clock going down :facepalm What the hell was that shit? He's a straight bitch on the court at times.

[pauk]

Because of sheer dominance / productions / being the best in the world as perimeter players and perhaps the accomplishments at similar age (both won first championship at similar age, think Jordan was 1 year older but yea), the spamming of mvps etc.

Their games resemble somewhat aswell but not completely, same goes for Magic... even though Lebron is arguably closer to Magic in his game/gamestyle/mindset he is not entirely like Magic either, Magic was much more passive, less of a scorer and much less of a defender, wasnt as big (weight/power) or as athletic....

Lebron is something like a bigger & more passing minded Jordan
Lebron is something like a more athletic, more defensive, more scoring minded Magic
Lebron is something like a more athletic, more defensive, less shooter of a Larry Bird
Lebron is something like a more of everything Penny Hardaway...
Lebron is something like a more of everything Scottie Pippen...
Lebron is something like a more of everything Grant Hill...
Lebron is something like a bigger Oscar, Oscar Robertson of this era

and so on....

You can go so many ways, in reality there is not a single player that really played like Lebron....... he is a hybrid of at least 3 players...

[Ken_Masters]

No, he isn't.

Lebron is better than Jordan at a whole range of things on the basketball court.

Other than passing? I can't think of a single thing James does better than Jordan.

[Ken_Masters]

Because of sheer dominance / productions / being the best in the world as perimeter players and perhaps the accomplishments at similar age (both won first championship at similar age, think Jordan was 1 year older but yea), the spamming of mvps etc.

Their games resemble somewhat aswell but not completely, same goes for Magic... even though Lebron is arguably closer to Magic in his game/gamestyle/mindset he is not entirely like Magic either, Magic was much more passive, less of a scorer and much less of a defender, wasnt as big (weight/power) or as athletic....

Lebron is something like a bigger & more passing minded Jordan
Lebron is something like a more athletic, more defensive, more scoring minded Magic
Lebron is something like a more athletic, more defensive, less shooter of a Larry Bird
Lebron is something like a more of everything Penny Hardaway...
Lebron is something like a more of everything Scottie Pippen...
Lebron is something like a more of everything Grant Hill...
Lebron is something like a bigger Oscar, Oscar Robertson of this era

and so on....

You can go so many ways, in reality there is not a single player that really played like Lebron....... he is a hybrid of at least 3 players...


LeBron is a notch below Pippen defensively. He is quite a few notches below Jordan offensively. He is below Johnson as a playmaker. In order to be the best to ever play, shouldn't he be "better" than these guys at what they did best? LeBron is a swiss army knife, and because of this he is dominating today's league, but in order to be "better" than Jordan wouldn't he have to be better offensively and defensively than Jordan? LeBron is neither.

[Solefade]

LeBron is a notch below Pippen defensively. He is quite a few notches below Jordan offensively. He is below Johnson as a playmaker. In order to be the best to ever play, shouldn't he be "better" than these guys at what they did best? LeBron is a swiss army knife, and because of this he is dominating today's league, but in order to be "better" than Jordan wouldn't he have to be better offensively and defensively than Jordan? LeBron is neither.

LeBron doesn't do any one particular thing better than what these guys were known for but because he has all of these traits, combined with arguably being the most athletic human being with his size, strength, speed, and IQ, he's slated to be the GOAT. He has all the tools, it'll be up to him to see how high he elevates himself.

[pauk]

Other than passing? I can't think of a single thing James does better than Jordan.

Lets be fair now...

Lebron has better:

Court Vision & Passing skills
Rebounding
Help & Post defense (he is bigger & stronger afterall)
Versatility (can play & guard basically all positions on the court, they dont call him "1 thru 5" for no reason)
I would also say Lebron is a bit more athletic overall, his combination of size/speed/power/hops/endurance is not something ive seen in a player before, Jordan was kindof like that but Lebron does it at 6'9-260....

The athleticism part is arguable, so is ballhandling, perimeter shooting & range (3PT) and IQ (Lebron is not such a dumb fella on the court)

[Trollsmasher]

LeBron is a notch below Pippen defensively. He is quite a few notches below Jordan offensively. He is below Johnson as a playmaker. In order to be the best to ever play, shouldn't he be "better" than these guys at what they did best? LeBron is a swiss army knife, and because of this he is dominating today's league, but in order to be "better" than Jordan wouldn't he have to be better offensively and defensively than Jordan? LeBron is neither.
:no:

LeBron is easily better offensive player than Jordan. Where Jordan was just a scorer and shot jacker, LeBron creates the entire offense for his team.

His defensive impact is also bigger than MJ's.

[Trollsmasher]

Lets be fair now...

Lebron has better:

Court Vision & Passing skills
Rebounding
Help & Post defense (he is bigger & stronger afterall)
Versatility (can play & guard basically all positions on the court, they dont call him "1 thru 5" for no reason)
I would also say Lebron is a bit more athletic overall, his combination of size/speed/power/hops/endurance is not something ive seen in a player before, Jordan was kindof like that but Lebron does it at 6'9-260....

The athleticism part is arguable, so is ballhandling and IQ (Lebron is not such a dumb fella on the court)
He is also much better 3 point shooter than Jordan ever dreamed of being.

[dh144498]

:no:

LeBron is easily better offensive player than Jordan. Where Jordan was just a scorer and shot jacker, LeBron creates the entire offense for his team.

His defensive impact is also bigger than MJ's.


:biggums: :biggums:
:wtf: :wtf:

[plowking]

Other than passing? I can't think of a single thing James does better than Jordan.

You don't know much about basketball then.

Better passer, rebounder, rim finisher, better on the fast break, 3 point shooter, more dynamic, better team defender, better handles, etc.

There is a bit more as well.

[dh144498]

He is also much better 3 point shooter than Jordan ever dreamed of being.

lebron this year: 3.3 attempts 40% 3P
Jordan 96: 3.2 attempts 43% 3p.

do you just spew out random things to ride lebron?
:biggums: :biggums:
:wtf: :wtf:

[Trollsmasher]

lebron this year: 3.3 attempts 40% 3P
Jordan 96: 3.2 attempts 43% 3p.

do you just spew out random things to ride lebron?
:biggums: :biggums:
:wtf: :wtf:
Shorter 3 point line, genius:lol

Have you been even born by that time?

[dh144498]

Shorter 3 point line, genius:lol

Have you been even born by that time?

if that's your excuse for Lebron being better at the 3 than him, then I can also bring about the much more physical defenses and hand checking, which if used today, would all be fouls, not that Lebron isn't already getting flop calls. All these attribute to Jordan being a much better scorer, much more points on higher FG% while being the sole focal point of opposing defenses. Now all lebron does is cherry pick his FGs while having 3 other number 1 scoring options on his team, meaning the defenses do not all converge on him (in case you don't understand) But you wouldn't know all this since you probably started watching the NBA in 2011.

[Flash31]

bc according to espn jordan is the undisputed
greatest of all time and everybody should be compared to him
regardless of position besides center which is shaq


Makes absolurely zero sense,MJ was a SG
LeBron is a SF

Kobe plays like old MJ,Wade young MJ
both sg,COMPARE

LeBron plays like a mix of Penny,Magic,Bird
In what way shape or form besides being great players is he compared to mj

point forward like scottie,bird,or penny,magic

jordan was a scorer and looked to score even when playmaking

lebron looks to facilitate and playmake then score


people should be compared to their positions

guards to pg,sg
forwards with sf,pf unless they play like a point,center
centers with centers so

isiah,payton,magic,penny,stockton
jordan,west,drexler,gervin,R Miller
bird,worthy,scottie,dr j,baylor
duncan,rodman,mchale,barkley,malone
wilt,russell,kareem,shaq,hakeem

[Trollsmasher]

if that's your excuse for Lebron being better at the 3 than him, then I can also bring about the much more physical defenses and hand checking, which if used today, would all be fouls, not that Lebron isn't already getting flop calls. All these attribute to Jordan being a much better scorer, much more points on higher FG% while being the sole focal point of opposing defenses. Now all lebron does is cherry pick his FGs while having 3 other number 1 scoring options on his team, meaning the defenses do not all converge on him (in case you don't understand) But you wouldn't know all this since you probably started watching the NBA in 2011.
Stop with that bullsh*t about physical defenses. The fouls may have been harder, but Jordan still got whistles on every contact. And what of it when the overall defense and defensive schemes have been pathetic when compared to today's game?
LeBron's effiency at the end of his career will be much higher than Jordan, it climbs up by multiple %s every year.
I don't really care about Jordan scoring 2 more points on 3 more shots, I would rather have LeBron play good, team basketball (something Jordan has not been capable of for a long time) than jack up bad and inefficient shot to look like a badass scorer (MJ, Kobe style).
They both command the same defensive attention, but LeBron is obviously better passer so it is much harder to cover him (result of having more complete game).

I doubt you understand any of what I wrote, but the bullsh*t you are spewing is laughable:roll:

[Flash31]

Look at Durant plays absolutely 0 like Jordan

should be compared to the greatest sf of all time

cp3 nothing like jordan,melo nothing like jordan
howard

lebron is the best player in the league and is a point forward
why the f is he being compared to a sg

shaq,duncan they couldnt

basically put to ESPN
Jordan is num 1 and Nobody else is even close

why dont great rb get compared to rodman great scorers to jordan,dominant players with wilt,shaq defenders to payton,rodman,russell,Longevity to Kareem num 1 in pts,20 yr career avg 20 Abdul Jaabar


Hype SELLS,
case in pt in 2011 espn hates the heat yet promotes the crap out of them and disregards the mavs

mavs had a 105+ million dollar payroll at the time
heat 75 mill
who did what

The Mavs were no underdogs they just werent as good or hyped up as much

what 100 mill dollar team goes under the radar and is an underdog in playoffs I mean really


Then next year per ESPN LeBron went from loser,unclutch,afraid of moment,cant lead a team,shortcut,ringchaser to leader,clutch,one of greatest of all time,killer instinct

same with Dirk in 2011 he webt from good pf but loser,unclutch,weak,no defense to apparently at the time one of greatest pf of all time
and players of all time
all cause he WON,Correction His team won

but to ESPN teams dont win or lose star players win or lose

sheer stupidity but ESPN is all HYPE and are like weather and epitome of bandwagon

[diamenz]

bron better than mj on the break? ya... when bron can pull up for mid range jumpers on the break and knock em down like coca cola, or perform in & outs quicker than u can say 'talents to souf beach' then we'll talk.


No, he isn't.

Lebron is better than Jordan at a whole range of things on the basketball court.

Jordan is better than Lebron at a whole range of things on the basketball court.

works both ways.

[Trollsmasher]

bron better than mj on the break? ya... when bron can pull up for mid range jumpers on the break and knock em down like coca cola, or perform in & outs quicker than u can say 'talents to souf beach' then we'll talk.



Jordan is better than Lebron at a whole range of things on the basketball court.

works both ways.
Why would he pull for the worst shot in the game when he can easily finish at the rim or go to the line everytime?:biggums:

[Soundwave]

Yeah LeBron really doesn't play like Jordan very much. He is much more like Magic, just far more athletic and more of a perimeter shooter + slasher.

Kobe, while not as good of a player as LeBron, is the player in the NBA who most closely models his game game around Jordan's. It's fairly obvious and not even close. I would say actually no player in no pro sport models his game more around a previous player than Kobe to Jordan. Maybe someone who watches a ton of soccer can comment, but from what I've seen of NFL/NHL/tennis leads me to say that.

Wade would probably be the second closest to Jordan in terms of playing style when he's actually 100% healthy, which doesn't seem to be too often anymore.

It's a different thing.

LeBron is a top of the line Hummer or Range Rover, a luxury big vehicle that can go off-road.

Jordan is a Ferrari or Lamborghini, pure sports car.