if you had a choice to draft jordan or lebron

[eeeeeebro]

I know everyone is gonna say jordan BUT i wanna know why anyone picks lebron over him

[ralph_i_el]

Not knowing how their careers would turn out?

That is a tough one. In this era you probably draft MJ. In the 80's, you probably draft LeBron :lol

[kennethgriffin]

i honestly would draft lebron


because hes 31 years old. and jordans 52


i can still get 7-8 seasons out of lebron. and at most 15-20 minutes out of jordan before he enters cardiac arrest

[kennethgriffin]

Not knowing how their careers would turn out?

That is a tough one. In this era you probably draft MJ. In the 80's, you probably draft LeBron :lol


only time i'd consider drafting prime lebron over jordan would be during the 50s and 60's

and thats cause neither guy would have to take a single shot outside of 2 feet. and prime lebron is slightly better at attacking the rim

plus he could probably give me more rebounds at power forward



70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s i take jordan

[tpols]

Not knowing how their careers would turn out?

That is a tough one. In this era you probably draft MJ. In the 80's, you probably draft LeBron :lol

if we have no idea how their careers turn out, its LeBron easily.. as he was the better more talented prospect taken first over wade, melo, bosh, etc. A no name center got picked over Jordan. Can you imagine Darko getting picked over Lebron?

[ralph_i_el]

only time i'd consider drafting prime lebron over jordan would be during the 50s and 60's

and thats cause neither guy would have to take a single shot outside of 2 feet. and prime lebron is slightly better at attacking the rim

plus he could probably give me more rebounds at power forward



70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s i take jordan

Why would you be drafting them in their primes? The entire point of asking this question is that it isn't "Who is better, MJ or Bron". The question is "Who would you pick in the NBA draft when they were still a prospect"

[kennethgriffin]

Why would you be drafting them in their primes? The entire point of asking this question is that it isn't "Who is better, MJ or Bron". The question is "Who would you pick in the NBA draft when they were still a prospect"


well then i guess in order for lebron to be my choice it would have to come at the very first year the nba existed.


only way i could avoid a real era and risk having to make lebron take jumpers

[Hey Yo]

if we have no idea how their careers turn out, its LeBron easily.. as he was the better more talented prospect taken first over wade, melo, bosh, etc. A no name center got picked over Jordan. Can you imagine Darko getting picked over Lebron?
Sam Bowie was far from being a no name player at the time....assuming that's which Center you're referring to.


If the draft was held in 1984, the logical decision is MJ.

If it's held in 2003.....James would get the nod due to is age and NBA ready-ness

[Wade's Rings]

if we have no idea how their careers turn out, its LeBron easily.. as he was the better more talented prospect taken first over wade, melo, bosh, etc. A no name center got picked over Jordan. Can you imagine Darko getting picked over Lebron?

Bosh wasn't getting that much hype out of College IIRC. Wade also wasn't predicted to go as high as #5 was expected to be in the 7-10 Range.

Sam Bowie was not a no name center at the time. Plus the Blazers already had Drexler and it made no sense to draft Jordan.

[Cali Syndicate]

Both had elite athleticism but lebron as a teenager was already as big and strong as most wing players in the L. Lebron also had tremendous court vision. MJ was probably overall more polished coming into the draft playing under Dean Smith but Lebron's potential puts his value probably a few notches above MJ.

[Straight_Ballin]

I remember watching bron at the high school Mcdonalds all star american game, before 99% of ish even knew who he was. As I watched the game I said to myself wow, I've never seen a player with this level of court vision at such a young age...and at that point, I had pretty much seen it all. This kid is going to be special and could very well become the GOAT. Little did I know that he would turn into a colluding ring chaser that is now 2/6, and lacked that Jordan killer instinct. It truly was a wasted opportunity to become the GOAT and it shows what tremendous impact your upbringing can have on your attainable peak, regardless of how much talent or drive you have.

[tpols]

Bosh wasn't getting that much hype out of College IIRC. Wade also wasn't predicted to go as high as #5 was expected to be in the 7-10 Range.

Sam Bowie was not a no name center at the time. Plus the Blazers already had Drexler and it made no sense to draft Jordan.

he was no more of a somebody than Darko was.. maybe a bit more proven but players don't get drafted 1 or 2 and not be considered good at the time theyre drafted. I'm referring to what they panned out to be. Darko could've been next great euro based on his potential at the time.. wasn't the case.

But bron would get picked over either darko or bowie.

[Wade's Rings]

he was no more of a somebody than Darko was.. maybe a bit more proven but players don't get drafted 1 or 2 and not be considered good at the time theyre drafted. I'm referring to what they panned out to be. Darko could've been next great euro based on his potential at the time.. wasn't the case.

But bron would get picked over either darko or bowie.

You also have to consider the fact that Portland already had Drexler. If tthey didn't have Drexler, than the Bowie draft probably never happens.

[red1]

the logical answer is if you already have one of the few top-tier elite shooting guards. if you have a kobe or ginobili you get more out of your team by drafting an elite player at another position no? otherwise you don't want to pass up on the GOAT

[Lebronxrings]

the guy who actually passes and makes his team better.

[Gileraracer]

the guy who actually passes and makes his team better.
Since you are the Definition of Lebrun stan i guess you're talking about him.


How can he make his team better but still be 2/6 while Jordan makes his team worse and is 6/6?

That guy Jordan definetly must be GOAT :bowdown:

[Asukal]

Everyone will probably draft lebron over jordan if they don't know he is going to be a ring chasing colluder who flops like a bitch and doesn't have a killer instinct. Doesn't matter though, jordan will go on and prove to the world why picking another person over him is a big no no. :whatever::oldlol:

[sportjames23]

NCAA Champion
ACC Freshman of the Year
ACC Player of the Year
2-tme Consensus All-American First Team
USBWA College Player of the Year
Naismith College Player of the Year
John R. Wooden Award winner
Adolph Rupp Trophy
Olympic Gold Medalist

vs

a high school kid


This is a tough choice? Really? REALLY?

[aj1987]

NCAA Champion
ACC Freshman of the Year
ACC Player of the Year
2-tme Consensus All-American First Team
USBWA College Player of the Year
Naismith College Player of the Year
John R. Wooden Award winner
Adolph Rupp Trophy
Olympic Gold Medalist

vs

a high school kid


This is a tough choice? Really? REALLY?
And yet, Sam Bowie was drafted in front of him. You do know that your idol was the #3 pick, right?

[Quickening]

If you don't know how their careers turns out, everyone goes with Lebron. Was just a far better player at a younger age, with more hype.

[pauk]

Not knowing how good the players would pan out to be i do think most would draft Lebron before MJ especially if you compared them at the age of 18 thinking of their potential....

Knowing how good the players would pan out, most would pick MJ i think but i think many would pick Lebron aswell, because ask yourselves, if both players had identical supporting casts throughout their careers... do you really think Jordan would still end up with a more accomplished career? Dont be so sure...

If Jordan played with scrubs his entire career / didnt play with the Bulls, ending up ringless... would you still think he is the GOAT? Ofcourse not.... Why? Isnt he IDENTICALLY the same player? Just because he was not equally benovelent / gifted with amazing supporting casts throughout his career....?

Many forget this notion when thinking about this "Draft Jordan or Lebron" topic... you wont get their teams they had, only them, knowing even how good they will be you will know only how good they will be individually/statistically, but you wont get their teams (90s Bulls / 00s Cavs).... which means one might land a career path of much better supporting casts and hence end up with a much better career and that guy COULD be Lebron..... or they both could have equivalent supporting casts throughout their career and there also i have some serious doubt Jordan could with a guarantee end up with more rings....

Just some logical & impartial thinking.

[HoopologyPhD]

MJ-Street Hunger

[Gileraracer]

And yet, Sam Bowie was drafted in front of him. You do know that your idol was the #3 pick, right?


#3 pick turned out to be the GOAT?

Someone has to make a movie out of that story :rockon:

[Orlando Magic]

Give me Shaq. He's the #1 pick all time in a complete redraft of the history of the league. He's arguably the #1 pick in retrospect and he's without question the #1 pick in terms of pre draft hype and upside.

But to answer your question... it depends on what my team needs and if I know how well I'll be able to build going into the future. If it's just a crapshoot on surrounding pieces, give me LeBron. If it's a sure thing that I'm getting a multifaceted arguably GOAT level 2nd option, give me Jordan.

Jordan was such a better individual scorer than LeBron that if your team has everything else, he is without question your pick. Jordan was also far mentally tougher and I would argue a much more relentless competitor.

LeBron is such an all around player that elevates the play of others around him to such a large extent, you can't possibly take Jordan and expect to come out ahead unless you have a really strong supporting cast already or have one lined up.

The answer is... it depends...

[Mr. Jabbar]

the day leKING retires ill stop watching the nba, that being said, i'd take current jordan (52) over current lebron

#kang

[catch24]

NCAA Champion
ACC Freshman of the Year
ACC Player of the Year
2-tme Consensus All-American First Team
USBWA College Player of the Year
Naismith College Player of the Year
John R. Wooden Award winner
Adolph Rupp Trophy
Olympic Gold Medalist

vs

a high school kid


This is a tough choice? Really? REALLY?

LeBron wasn't just a 'highschool kid'. :oldlol: He was the most sought out, and hyped HS player in the history of the NBA. People were already calling him a Magic Johnson Hybrid, while his senior games were broadcasted by ESPN (when's the last time you saw a highschool game televised by ESPN?)

Sam Bowie was drafted before Jordan. Both of them would have been drafted after LeBron in 2003.

[Dragonyeuw]

Both available at the same time? You draft Lebron....do you realize that Lebron was arguably the most hyped player ever coming in who had GOAT potential( the last time I recall someone with a similar level was Shaq in 92), and that MJ was projected as a probable all-star who would have a very good career? MJ wasn't projected to be 'MJ' as we now know him.

[Demitri98]

Honestly if you don't know how they turn out, it's all about time frame.

Put LeBron in the '84 draft, I take MJ all day because he's got a better motor, which is essential in the grind it out 80s style.

Put MJ in the '03 class, I take LeBron because his game is more suited toward the small-ball that is just starting to develop.

[GimmeThat]

without consistent teammates
this is a 2 versus 2.5 question to me (given however historians may rate championships late in ones career)

with consistent teammates
this is a 3.5 versus 4.5 question to me

I don't want to talk about coaching
but I'll submit my answer at 7 versus 8

include front office staff into it
equal. if you held all those constant, it's just an all time team ranking differences and nothing more.


these are my answers, conservatively, including if Lebron never left the Cavaliers.

[Dragonyeuw]

Honestly if you don't know how they turn out, it's all about time frame.

Put LeBron in the '84 draft, I take MJ all day because he's got a better motor, which is essential in the grind it out 80s style.

Put MJ in the '03 class, I take LeBron because his game is more suited toward the small-ball that is just starting to develop.

You wouldn't know whether MJ had a better motor just off his college play. Lebron had a more NBA ready frame at 19 than MJ had at 21, regardless of the era, and showed the potential for more dominance than MJ did coming into the NBA. Again, MJ wasn't projected to be as great as he wound up. I really think you take Lebron regardless of the era.

[Coach Eddie]

Jordan of course. LeBron would just try to join him anyway in a few years.

[senelcoolidge]

MJ of course, this is a no brainer. Sure Lebron is bigger and stronger..he's got the body of a PF, but he doesn't use it like a PF. He can only play with the ball in his hand. He has holes in his game. MJ was practically perfect as a basketball.

[aj1987]

MJ of course, this is a no brainer. Sure Lebron is bigger and stronger..he's got the body of a PF, but he doesn't use it like a PF. He can only play with the ball in his hand. He has holes in his game. MJ was practically perfect as a basketball.
Drafting without hindsight, you daft idiot.

Literally no sane person is gonna pick LeBron WITH hindsight.

[j3lademaster]

I remember watching bron at the high school Mcdonalds all star american game, before 99% of ish even knew who he was. As I watched the game I said to myself wow, I've never seen a player with this level of court vision at such a young age...and at that point, I had pretty much seen it all. This kid is going to be special and could very well become the GOAT. Little did I know that he would turn into a colluding ring chaser that is now 2/6, and lacked that Jordan killer instinct. It truly was a wasted opportunity to become the GOAT and it shows what tremendous impact your upbringing can have on your attainable peak, regardless of how much talent or drive you have.literally every ball enthusiast knew who lebron was by his sophomore year in high school.

[Straight_Ballin]

literally every ball enthusiast knew who lebron was by his sophomore year in high school.

Nope, they did not. I balled with plenty of people in CLE that didn't know who lebron was until he was a senior. Sad but true.

[Spurs m8]

I'd take the one that doesn't choke and brings in rings

Best ever player > LeBron

Cheers

[Hey Yo]

Nope, they did not. I balled with plenty of people in CLE that didn't know who lebron was until he was a senior. Sad but true.
dumb

[aj1987]

Nope, they did not. I balled with plenty of people in CLE that didn't know who lebron was until he was a senior. Sad but true.
Sure you did. 2k doesn't count, kid. :oldlol: