Athleticism: MJ vs Lebron

[scm5]

Not talking about talent or level of play, just purely based on athletic ability.

MJ was stated to have a 48 inch vertical and ran as low as a 4.3 in the 40 yard dash.
Sauces:
http://www.topendsports.com/testing/results/vertical-jump.htm
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1999/jordan_retires/archive/831128/

Lebron is said to have around a 40 inch vertical at his peak and is said to have run the 40 in 4.6 "without any training".
Sauces:
http://espn.go.com/espn/thelife/bodyshots/?guide=lebronjames
http://tracking.si.com/2013/02/27/heat-james-ran-40-in-4-6-seconds/

Lebron's size definitely has something to do with his lower vertical and 40 time and that should be taken into consideration. Which would you consider to be the more athletic player?

[f0und]

MJ

being atheltic is more than just about strength, speed, and jumping ability. its also about balance, agility, reflexes, and body control. if you're a great overall athletic, you can transcend nearly all sports.

put it like this, if they were to compete in:

skateboarding
baseball
football
basketball
skiing
soccer
surfing
gymnastics
golf
fencing
tennis
hockey
etc.

jordan would have more overall success when its tallied up.

[SavageMode]

MJ is great and all but who are people kidding. Lebron is the most athletic athlete of this era. Lebron could easily be in the NFL with proper training.

[NumberSix]

MJ is great and all but who are people kidding. Lebron is the most athletic athlete of this era. Lebron could easily be in the NFL with proper training.
He would be an absolutely devastating wideout.

[STATUTORY]

MJ had quicker acceleration and devasting first step

Lebron has longer strides and might be faster at top speed running one direction

[LA_Showtime]

It's difficult to compare the two. Jordan had abilities of little guys that are rarely seen in players his size. LeBron has abilities of bigger guys rarely seen in players his size. Both are once-in-a-generation type athletes.

[moe94]

People legit think Jordan had a 48 vertical. They truly believe he jumped higher than Nate Robinson.

[j3lademaster]

People legit think Jordan had a 48 vertical. They truly believe he jumped higher than Nate Robinson.I have a hard time taking NBA measurements (height, weight, etc) seriously anymore.

[Mass Debator]

MJ

being atheltic is more than just about strength, speed, and jumping ability. its also about balance, agility, reflexes, and body control. if you're a great overall athletic, you can transcend nearly all sports.

put it like this, if they were to compete in:

skateboarding
baseball
football
basketball
skiing
soccer
surfing
gymnastics
golf
fencing
tennis
hockey
etc.

jordan would have more overall success when its tallied up.
I agree a lot with you're saying but primarily because Lebron is too big to play most of those sports. I think Lebron can excel or be good in the more physical contact sports if his mindset is right but his height probably won't make him elite (other than basketball and maybe football). However, I don't think being able to great in multiple sports is a significant indicator on how athletic a person is. People who are 5'11-6'4 are probably more suited at being great across the board.

Lebron is probably the most athletic person at his size like Shaq and Wilt are at theirs. My argument is just a simple "I think what Lebron does at 6'8" 250-260 is more impressive than Jordan does at 6'6" 210-220." Heck, I even think Calvin Johnson is more impressive at 6'5 230-240.

At the end of the day though, Michael Jordan's size is perfect for basketball especially playing the position that he does, and it shows in his game. I compare Randy Moss to him when it comes to prototypical body for his position, but Moss didn't have that leadership and killer instinct mindset about him to make him the consensus pick as the GOAT receiver. No knock on Jordan as he is the b-ball GOAT, but IMO, Lebron is a bit more athletic.

[IncarceratedBob]

Lebron lacks lateral speed, peak MJ would dominate LBJ in any athletic event

[Marchesk]

He would be an absolutely devastating wideout.

But how would he handle the contact?

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/media/USATODAY/gameon/2013/03/27/ap-heat-bulls-basketball-x-large.jpg

[Stringer Bell]

I'm not even really sure exactly about what really constitutes "athletic". In basketball, people tend to think of it mainly with speed, strength, and leaping ability, with some emphasis on balance and agility.

Watch Michael Jordan and Danny Ainge play, and everyone would say "MJ is way more athletic". One is fast and strong, jumps out of the gym, has great balance and body control, agility, and the other guy rifles basketballs at Mario Elie's head.

But Ainge played major league baseball and was an all-state quarterback in High School. Not a good pro baseball player, but it's the friggin major leagues.

What exactly are we going by?

[russwest0]

LeBron didn't run a 4.6

[russwest0]

But how would he handle the contact?

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/media/USATODAY/gameon/2013/03/27/ap-heat-bulls-basketball-x-large.jpg

:lol :lol :lol

[tmacattack33]

MJ was more athletic but he was 6'6 210 lbs. Vince Carter was ridiculously athletic as well...and Wade who is only 2 inches shorter...and T-mac, Jason Richardson, Desmon Mason all were athletic as sh*t as well.

Lebron has no peers in terms of athleticism for a 6'9 250 lb player. That's why people say he's a freak.

[Marchesk]

bron has no peers in terms of athleticism for a 6'9 250 lb player. That's why people say he's a freak.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WgICz4I20c

[KevinNYC]

Jordan is quicker and more agile, while Lebron is a lot stronger, it depends what you value when you say athletic.

The Danny Ainge story is instructive, in that his hand eye coordination was probably greater than Jordan's which led to him a better baseball player.

[funnystuff]

Most NBA players near Jordans size are all very athletic.

Most NBA players near Brons size are not athletic.

Lebron is a freak.

[Trollsmasher]

If we are taking the completly unproven MJ's times and numbers (he never came even close to showing a 46 inch vertical in game), can we take LeBron's 44 inch vertical and 4.35 40y dash?

[moe94]

can we take LeBron's 44 inch vertical and 4.35 40y dash?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1-YcD5pQXQ

During Cleveland, I'd say he's the best overall athlete the sport has ever seen.

[Black and White]

I would say that LeBron is the better athlete when you take in to account his size etc in relation to his speed/quickness/vertical

[tmacattack33]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WgICz4I20c

Yes and that's why he's one of the best players in a sport full of freaks of natures.

[Trollsmasher]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WgICz4I20c
This guy gets winded after 5 minutes though. It's only about the explosivness in the NFL.

That's why you have all those lineman recording 35-40 inch two-feet verticals at the combine and "seemingly" outjumping NBA players.