Who played better?... MJ in 1996 Finals or Lebron in 2013 Finals

[3ball]

In the 2013 Finals, Lebron's poor shooting and passivity was exploited by the opponent early in the series, and he only got 18, 17 and 15 points in the first 3 games.. Then he was saved later in the series by HOF Ray Allen, while also benefiting from HOF Wade (20/5/4 on 48%) and HOF Bosh (12/9 and 2 blk).. Overall, he averaged 25 ppg on 44.7%.

In 1996 Finals, MJ got 28, 29, and 36 points in first 3 games on 46% shooting to win the series... Then he coasted for 22, 26, and 23 points in garbage time when the series was already over.. Of course, instead of the HOF production Lebron got from his teammates, MJ got 15 ppg on 34% shooting from Pippen, which is the worst performance ever by a 2nd option in the Finals... Overall, MJ averaged 27 ppg on 42%.

Btw, anyone who thinks putting Payton on MJ from Game 1 would've turned the 3-0 blowout into a Sonics victory is dreaming.. Payton was desperate in Game 4 after all the pressure was off and no one expected them to win, while MJ was relaxed and had planned his vacation.. If Payton had guarded MJ from Game 1, he would've played with more pressure on him, and MJ would've been more up for it... If Payton managed the pressure and still did well to start the series, MJ would've had time to adjust, and by Game 3 or 4, he would've exploded, like he did in Game 4 of 1993 ECF, after Starks had held him down for 3 games.
.

[ShawkFactory]

So fvcking shook bro

[SouBeachTalents]

Hmmm, you mention Bosh's production, but Rodman's is strangely missing. Interesting......

[Straight_Ballin]

You know it's a sad era in NBA basketball when this question even needs to be asked. Clearly Jordan was better, but the fact that it needs to even be mentioned is disturbing.

[dubeta]

25/11/7 on 45% vs 27/6/4 on 41%



Its LeBron and its not even close :sleeping








If LeBron got only 27/5/4 on 41%, that would have been his WOAT finals

[red1]

In the 2013 Finals, Lebron got 18, 17 and 15 points in the first 3 games, then he was saved later by HOF Ray Allen, while also benefiting from HOF Wade (20/5/4 on 48%) and HOF Bosh (12/9 and 2 blk).. Overall, he averaged 25 ppg on 44.7%.

In 1996 Finals, MJ got 28, 29, and 36 points in first 3 games on 46% shooting to win the series... Then he got 22, 26, and 23 points in garbage time when the series was already over.. Of course, instead of the HOF production Lebron got from his teammates, MJ got 15 ppg on 34% shooting from Pippen, which is the worst performance ever by a 2nd option in the Finals... Overall, MJ averaged 27 ppg on 42%.

Btw, anyone who thinks putting Payton on MJ from Game 1 would've turned the 3-0 blowout into a Sonics victory is dreaming.. Payton was desperate in Game 4 after all the pressure was off and no one expected them to win, while MJ was relaxed and had planned his vacation.. If Payton had guarded MJ from Game 1, he would've played with more pressure on him, and MJ would've been more up for it... If Payton managed the pressure and still did well to start the series, MJ would've had time to adjust, and by Game 3 or 4, he would've exploded, like he did in Game 4 of 1993 ECF, after Starks had held him down for 3 games.
http://www.manhattandigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/1130519621_1360472223.gif

[SouBeachTalents]

And I don't think LeBron's 2013 Finals were great, but they were certainly better than Jordan's '96

[ShaqTwizzle]

Probably Lebron even if he did embarrass himself over the first 5 games of his series.

:lebronamazed:

Rodman was the real FMVP of the 96 Finals. Payton shut Jordan down.

[dubeta]

And I don't think LeBron's 2013 Finals were great, but they were certainly better than Jordan's '96


LOL his Game 4, 6, and 7 werent great?


His Game 7 wasnt legendary??


Only bad game was game 3, overall it was definitely great

[sdot_thadon]

http://www.therundown.tv/wp-content/photos/lebronshot9023.gif
gg

[SouBeachTalents]

LOL his Game 4, 6, and 7 werent great?


His Game 7 wasnt legendary??


Only bad game was game 3, overall it was definitely great

He had an inconsistent series. He really struggled with his shot in 4 of the first 5 games, and Game 4 was a lot of stat padding in garbage time. Overall, he played below his standards the first 5 games, played very well in Game 6 (albeit with some costly late turnovers) and was absolutely brilliant in Game 7

[3ball]

Overall, he was below his standards the first 5 games, played very well in Game 6 (albeit with some costly late turnovers) and was absolutely brilliant in Game 7


So he was saved in the first 5 games by his superior teammates - 3 HOF's who put up far better production than MJ's horrible 2nd option - and then Lebron managed to pull it out at the end, only because Ray hit a miracle shot, which gave him 2nd life.

[plowking]

The guy who averaged 32/10/7 over the last 4.

Not the one who put up 5/19 in the close out game.

[ShawkFactory]

So he was saved in the first 5 games by his superior teammates - 3 HOF's - and then managed to pull it out at the end, only because Ray hit a miracle shot.
Someone didn't watch the finals two years ago :cheers:

[dubeta]

He had an inconsistent series. He really struggled with his shot in 4 of the first 5 games, and Game 4 was a lot of stat padding in garbage time. Overall, he played below his standards the first 5 games, played very well in Game 6 (albeit with some costly late turnovers) and was absolutely brilliant in Game 7

I might be wrong, but I dont think theres been another Finals where a player averaged at least 25, 11 and 7




He shot bad in Game 1 but had 18 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists, so a monster triple double



Game 2 was a blow out so that doesnt count, LeBron sat early


Game 3 was bad


Game 4 was great, the stat padding was overblown, overall solid game (met standards)


Game 5 - solid 25 points, rest of the team didnt show up


Game 6- Another monster 32/11/10 triple double with virtually no help

Game 7- GOAT tier


Overall it was a great series, arguably better than any Finals series Bird or Kobe ever had, maybe Magic



You know how rare it is to have multiple triple doubles in the same finals series? :biggums:

[SouBeachTalents]

So he was saved in the first 5 games by his superior teammates - 3 HOF's - and then managed to pull it out at the end, only because Ray hit a miracle shot.

Still haven't mention Rodman........

[SouBeachTalents]

I might be wrong, but I dont think theres been another Finals where a player averaged at least 25, 11 and 7




He shot bad in Game 1 but had 18 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists, so a monster triple double



Game 2 was a blow out so that doesnt count, LeBron sat early


Game 3 was bad


Game 4 was great, the stat padding was overblown, overall solid game (met standards)


Game 5 - solid 25 points, rest of the team didnt show up


Game 6- Another monster 32/11/10 triple double with virtually no help

Game 7- GOAT tier


Overall it was a great series, arguably better than any Finals series Bird or Kobe ever had, maybe Magic



You know how rare it is to have multiple triple doubles in the same finals series? :biggums:

:lol You know you don't even believe that

[3ball]

The guy who averaged 32/10/7 over the last 4.

Not the one who put up 5/19 in the close out game.


:confusedshrug:

the last 3 games were garbage time.. the dynamic would've been totally different if payton was on MJ from Game 1.

there's no way payton on MJ from Game 1 turns a 3-0 blowout into a sonic victory..

[dubeta]

MJ's 1996 Finals would have been LeBrons worst, there is no arguing this


Especially with an elite 2nd and 3rd option in Pippen and Rodman

[dubeta]

:lol You know you don't even believe that

LOL Bird and Kobe? absolutely. Magic? Probably?




Post their Finals stats, and tell me which Finals was better?

:coleman:

[3ball]

Still haven't mention Rodman........


Rodman didn't need to hit miracle shot to give MJ a 2nd life in the series...

MJ didn't need his supporting cast to give him a 2nd life...

He already ended the series in the first 3 games.. Let me know when a team comes back from a 3-0 deficit... :pimp:

[dubeta]

Let me know when a team comes back from a 3-0 deficit... :pimp:


Jordan was so garbage, he surely gave the Sonics a fighting chance to make history


LeBron never lost a Finals after winning 3 games, thats killer instinct, closing a team out


Meanwhile Payton literally had Jordans balls in the palm of his hands, scaring MJ to losing 2 more Finals games instead of closing the series out like a true GOAT


But alas

You cant give MJ the same lofty expectations as LeBron

[GIF REACTION]

MJ had the best supporting cast in NBA history in 1996

If Lebron has that cast he drops 30/10/5 easy money all day

[3ball]

Jordan was so garbage, he surely gave the Sonics a fighting chance to make history


MJ never needed a teammate to give him 2nd life

MJ averaged 32 ppg on 46% thru 3 games to blow the sonics away and win the series - the last 3 games were garbage time.. and obviously, the dynamic would've been totally different if payton was on MJ from Game 1.

there's no way payton on MJ from Game 1 turns a 3-0 blowout into a sonic victory..

[Straight_Ballin]

MJ had the best supporting cast in NBA history in 1996

If Lebron has that cast he drops 30/10/5 easy money all day

A guy that get's his FMVP taken away because he got man handled by iggy isn't droppin 30/10/5. Unless he has his BEST FRIEND WADE on his team for mental support, he loses. It's been a common theme and it will
continue.

[Magic 32]

The guy who averaged 32/10/7 over the last 4.

Not the one who put up 5/19 in the close out game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5qgBL_kDFc&t=3m1s

[Magic 32]

LeBron never lost a Finals...

http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/b/bf/Doctor_wait_what.gif/revision/latest?cb=20140514224108

[3ball]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5qgBL_kDFc&t=3m1s
MJ never needed a teammate to give him 2nd life - Lebron did, and he only averaged 25 ppg for the series.

MJ averaged 32 ppg on 46% thru 3 games to blow the sonics away and win the series - the last 3 games where MJ got 22, 26, and 23 points were garbage time where he wasn't as geeked up and ready to go..

obviously, the dynamic would've been totally different if payton was on MJ from Game 1.. and there's no way it goes from 3-0 blowout into a sonic victory just by putting payton on MJ from Game 1.
.

[KevinNYC]

Overall it was a great series, arguably better than any Finals series Bird or Kobe ever had, maybe Magic

Lebron 2013
25.3 10.9 7.0 .447fg%

Bird 1984
27.4 14.0 3.6 .484fg%

Bird 1986
24.0 9.7 9.5 .482fg%


I think you might have to argue that one.

[KevinNYC]

Lebron 2013
25.3 10.9 7.0 .447fg%

Bird 1984
27.4 14.0 3.6 .484fg%

Bird 1986
24.0 9.7 9.5 .482fg%


I think you might have to argue that one.
This one too.

1987 Magic
26.2 8.0 13.0 .541fg% 24 out of 25 from the line!

[3ball]

This one is also better than Lebron's 2013:

1987 Magic
26.2 8.0 13.0 .541fg% 24 out of 25 from the line!


And all of MJ's Finals, including his 27/5/4 on 42% in 1996.

MJ didn't need a bail out shot to prevent him from losing - he got a 3-0 lead by averaging 32 ppg on 46% and coasted the rest of the series with 22, 26, and 23 points..

C'mon, you've never coasted before?

[Lebron23]

Lebron James. Heat beat a superior team in the finals.

[Gileraracer]

Not Mr 27%

[3ball]

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/9-20-2015/A2ugsT.gif


Lebron James. Heat beat a superior team in the finals.



96' Kemp > 13' Duncan


96' Payton > Parker


Schrempf > Kawhi


96' McMillan < but probably = 2013 Ginobili


1996 Sonics Defense 102.1 almost same as Spurs 101.6, but way more physical (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WpkXlrJxtw).
.

[Naero]

Impactually, I'd nod a marginal edge to LeBron for his all-around level of play; but either way, it is insubstantial to the Michael Jordan-LeBron debate. It's not equitable to compare the then-33-year-old, post-prime Michael Jordan to then-28-year-old, pinnacle-prime LeBron; at some point, cross-compared players need to be held to discrepant standards when you account the physical state of them, because the bread and butter of a player's value lies in their prime

[plowking]

Lebron 2013
25.3 10.9 7.0 .447fg%

Bird 1984
27.4 14.0 3.6 .484fg%

Bird 1986
24.0 9.7 9.5 .482fg%


I think you might have to argue that one.

Pretty nuts how a somewhat "off" series for Bron really does stack up nicely against both Bird and Magic, who played in quicker and more high scoring series generally.

[Cocaine80s]

[QUOTE=Naero]Impactually, I'd nod a marginal edge to LeBron for his all-around level of play; but either way, it is insubstantial to the Michael Jordan-LeBron debate. It's not equitable to compare the then-33-year-old, post-prime Michael Jordan to then-28-year-old, pinnacle-prime LeBron; at some point, cross-compared players need to be held to discrepant standards when you account the physical state of them, because the bread and butter of a player's value lies in their prime

[Lebron23]

Impactually, I'd nod a marginal edge to LeBron for his all-around level of play; but either way, it is insubstantial to the Michael Jordan-LeBron debate. It's not equitable to compare the then-33-year-old, post-prime Michael Jordan to then-28-year-old, pinnacle-prime LeBron; at some point, cross-compared players need to be held to discrepant standards when you account the physical state of them, because the bread and butter of a player's value lies in their prime—longevity being legacy-enhancing at later ages, obviously, but not ultra-essential.

Moreover, when you contextualize the defenses each player faced, it's more absolvatory when you consider that Michael Jordan's team faced a much better defense. That was evident by the fact that Jordan—even in the worst FG% finals of his career, whereby two of his games came against one of the GOAT perimeter-oriented defenders in Gary Payton—still managed to lead most of his team in TS%; the same can't be said for LeBron, despite how the sag-off defense gave him more gimme looks than any other perimeter-oriented superstar in NBA history—clean-eyeshot looks that other all-time-great perimeter players would beg for.

If anything, when you account for the age differential and discrepant defensive intensities of each team that I've expounded on, I would consider Michael Jordan's '96-finals performance more impressive.

It still remains to be seen how LeBron—who just amassed the third-most missed shots in a finals series—will perform past his prime in the finals, and don't you dare compare any of his finals to any of Michael Jordan's first-threepeat finals performances. :no:


You try hard to Sound Smart.

[3ball]

and don't you dare compare any of his finals to any of Michael Jordan's first-threepeat finals performances. :no:


Or his 1997 - game 1 GW.. flu game.. series-winning assist to Kerr... Or his 1998 - best clutch ever

Also, lets not forget DEFENSE - Jordan's defense destroys Lebron's - all of Lebron's defensive assignments are role players, yet they get FMVP... Whereas MJ's defensive assignments are Magic and Drexler, and also KJ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K2rBgOqGCw&index=13&list=PLl0ny9_3DLnFmdGrXIYboWxY85qDJEjUY), Payton (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meL62CUehuw&list=PLl0ny9_3DLnFmdGrXIYboWxY85qDJEjUY&index=17), and Stockton (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOuMwmXtgd0).. No fmvp for those guys.

When you consider defense, the gap between MJ and Lebron's Finals performances is HUGE (like the gap between 6/6 and 2/6).

[feyki]

Lebron played better. But Lebron was 28 years old , Jordan was 32 years old.

There is 28 years old Jordan ;

36 pts , 5 rib , 6.5 ast , with %61.7 TS against most athletic team of 90's .

[Lebron23]

Lebron played better. But Lebron was 28 years old , Jordan was 32 years old.

There is 28 years old Jordan ;

36 pts , 5 rib , 6.5 ast , with %61.7 TS against most athletic team of 90's .


People here are dumb, or suffering from short term memory. They easily forget that Lebron was 18 yrs.old when he played in the NBA while Jordan was 21 going 22 yrs.old.

LeBron at age 28 already had more mileages in his body. And this guy was an NBA starter, and played major minutes since he was 18.

[feyki]

People here are dumb, or suffering from short term memory. They easily forget that Lebron was 18 yrs.old when he played in the NBA while Jordan was 21 going 22 yrs.old.

LeBron at age 28 already had more mileages in his body. And this guy was an NBA starter, and played major minutes since he was 18.

Yes , this is big advantage for Lebron , like Karl Malone superb longevity. But 32 years old is 32 years old , all physical talents are damaged from olds . Can Iverson jump 1 meter(40 inches) high at now?

[3ball]

Lebron played better. But Lebron was 28 years old , Jordan was 33 years old.

But compared to 28 years old Jordan:

36 pts , 5 rib , 6.5 ast , with %61.7 TS against most athletic team of 90's .


This is wrong - Jordan WON the series in the first 3 games with great stats, and then coasted in garbage time... Lebron played shitty the first 3 games and was severely exploited by the opponent, and then needed a miracle shot later in the series to give him a 2nd life.

You're penalizing MJ for winning the series early, which makes no sense.. And when you consider defense, it's not even close..

Infact, when you consider defense, the significant gap that already exists between MJ's career Finals stats and Lebron's becomes even bigger - all of Lebron's defensive assignments are role players, yet they get FMVP... Whereas MJ's defensive assignments are Magic and Drexler, and also KJ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K2rBgOqGCw&index=13&list=PLl0ny9_3DLnFmdGrXIYboWxY85qDJEjUY), Payton (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meL62CUehuw&list=PLl0ny9_3DLnFmdGrXIYboWxY85qDJEjUY&index=17), and Stockton (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOuMwmXtgd0)..
.

[Elosha]

Let's be clear about a few things in the context of the 96 Finals. While 96 was Jordan's worst final performance by a considerable margin, it likely had more to do with Jordan and the Bulls taking their eyes off the prize a bit after going up 3-0 rather than Payton's incredible defense. To be honest, Jordan destroyed Payton in game 3 for 36 points (Payton guarded him plenty in that game), but for some reason Jordan and the Bulls took their foot of the gas and played way too relaxed in the next two games in Seattle. The result - they got blown out. At the time, people looked at it with some questioning if the Bulls could be considered as the greatest team of all time, when they let Seattle come back like that.

Most experts didn't really give Seattle a chance to win 4 straight, including the last two in Chicago. But you have to give credit where credit is due. The Sonics were an excellent team. In most years, 64 wins easily gets you the league's best record. They were fighters and were never going to lay down and accept a sweep. Kemp played incredible in games 4 and 5, as did Payton. The Bulls and Jordan played relatively lackadaisical. TBH, it even carried over into game 6, although I do believe Jordan's poor shooting performance was partially explained by the fact that it was Father's Day and he was remembering his murdered father. In fact when they won, Jordan was more emotional than in any other championship and specifically referenced how emotional - and painful - it was to win the championship on that day.

The fact is honestly Jordan just missed a lot of routine shots that he usually made at a high clip. Payton played very physical and aggressive defense, particularly to deny Jordan the ball, and Seattle was doubling Jordan aggressively. But really he still got good looks but they simply weren't falling. Jordan even got a little revenge the following season when he scored over 40 against Payton, mostly on the same shots he missed in the Finals.

You can't look at only the first three games of the series for Jordan however, nor can you look at the last two for Lebron. Neither Lebron nor James played exceptionally well in 96 or 2013. The difference is that 96 was far and away the worst Finals for Jordan, whereas Lebron has had multiple subpar performances in the Finals. There's no question Jordan's the overall better Finals performer. You can go either way on who was "better" or "least bad" in 96 and 2013.

[HurricaneKid]

Lebron 2013
25.3 10.9 7.0 .447fg%

Bird 1984
27.4 14.0 3.6 .484fg%

Bird 1986
24.0 9.7 9.5 .482fg%


I think you might have to argue that one.

In 84 the Celtics averaged 117.4ppg in winning the title. The 2013 Heat won avg 97.0 ppg. Thats over 21% inflation based on the increased pace of the game.

Inflate LeBrons stats by that same pace (and lets face it, with more open court opportunities LeBron would have been FAR better) would get you to:
30.4ppg
13.2reb
8.5asst

Its always funny when people attempt to compare the current game to the 80s game without making the necessary pace adjustments.

[3ball]

Its always funny when people attempt to compare the current game to the 80s game without making the necessary pace adjustments.



If we're accounting for pace - the 1996 Finals played at an 83.5 pace, compared to 88.3 in 2013.. Pace during MJ's 2nd 3-peat was slower than anything Lebron in Lebron's entire career.

This makes MJ's stats more superior to Lebron's than they already were... And when you consider defense, it's not even close..

Infact, when you consider defense, the significant gap that already exists between MJ's career Finals stats and Lebron's becomes even bigger - all of Lebron's defensive assignments are role players, yet they get FMVP... Whereas MJ's defensive assignments are Magic and Drexler, and also KJ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K2rBgOqGCw&index=13&list=PLl0ny9_3DLnFmdGrXIYboWxY85qDJEjUY), Payton (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meL62CUehuw&list=PLl0ny9_3DLnFmdGrXIYboWxY85qDJEjUY&index=17), and Stockton (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOuMwmXtgd0).

[feyki]

This is wrong - Jordan WON the series in the first 3 games with great stats, and then coasted in garbage time... Lebron played shitty the first 3 games and was severely exploited by the opponent, and then needed a miracle shot later in the series to give him a 2nd life.

You're penalizing MJ for winning the series early, which makes no sense.. And when you consider defense, it's not even close..

Infact, when you consider defense, the significant gap that already exists between MJ's career Finals stats and Lebron's becomes even bigger - all of Lebron's defensive assignments are role players, yet they get FMVP... Whereas MJ's defensive assignments are Magic and Drexler, and also KJ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K2rBgOqGCw&index=13&list=PLl0ny9_3DLnFmdGrXIYboWxY85qDJEjUY), Payton (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meL62CUehuw&list=PLl0ny9_3DLnFmdGrXIYboWxY85qDJEjUY&index=17), and Stockton (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOuMwmXtgd0)..
.

Okay . I'm gonna calculate ; Jordan's first 3 games and Lebron's last 3 games ;


Jordan's first 3 games ;

31 pts with %59 ts , 5.3 rib , 5 ast , 2.3 to 126.6 ortg , 103.3 drtg and 27.66 EFF .


Lebron's last 3 games ;

31.3 pts with %56.6 ts , 9.3 rib , 7.6 ast , 3.6 to , 120.3 ortg , 105.6 drtg and 33.00 EFF .

[3ball]

Okay . I'm gonna calculate ; Jordan's first 3 games and Lebron's last 3 games ;


Jordan's first 3 games ;

31 pts with %59 ts , 5.3 rib , 5 ast , 2.3 to 126.6 ortg , 103.3 drtg and 27.66 EFF .


Lebron's last 3 games ;

31.3 pts with %56.6 ts , 9.3 rib , 7.6 ast , 3.6 to , 120.3 ortg , 105.6 drtg and 33.00 EFF .
Thank you very much for that.

MJ's stats are better, and they're even more meaningful when you consider that pace was 83.5 in 1996 Finals, which is slower than the 88.3 pace of 2013 Finals.

Pace during MJ's 2nd 3-peat was slower than anything in Lebron's entire career.. This makes MJ's stats more superior to Lebron's than they already were... And when you consider defense, it's not even close..

Infact, when you consider defense, the significant gap that already exists between MJ's career Finals stats and Lebron's becomes even bigger - all of Lebron's defensive assignments are role players, yet they get FMVP... Whereas MJ's defensive assignments are Magic and Drexler, and also KJ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K2rBgOqGCw&index=13&list=PLl0ny9_3DLnFmdGrXIYboWxY85qDJEjUY), Payton (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meL62CUehuw&list=PLl0ny9_3DLnFmdGrXIYboWxY85qDJEjUY&index=17), and Stockton (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOuMwmXtgd0).
.

[3ball]

It's hilarious how this thread became a ghost town once I brought up DEFENSE and also how the pace was much lower in the 1996 Finals (83.5 to 88.3 in 2013).

And the pace during MJ's 2nd three-peat was slower than anything in Lebron's entire career.. This makes MJ's stats more superior than they already were... And when you consider defense, it's not even close..

Infact, when you consider defense, the significant gap that already exists between MJ's career Finals stats and Lebron's becomes even bigger - all of Lebron's defensive assignments are role players, yet they get FMVP... Whereas MJ's defensive assignments are Magic and Drexler, and also KJ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K2rBgOqGCw&index=13&list=PLl0ny9_3DLnFmdGrXIYboWxY85qDJEjUY), Payton (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meL62CUehuw&list=PLl0ny9_3DLnFmdGrXIYboWxY85qDJEjUY&index=17), and Stockton (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOuMwmXtgd0).

Of course, while Lebron was horrible in the first 3 games and needed HOF teammates to bail him out later in the series, MJ didn't need a bail out shot to prevent him from losing in the 1996 Finals - he got a 3-0 lead by averaging 32 ppg on 46% and then coasted in garbage time until his hand was raised.

^^^ Gentlemen - the above words are what victory itt looks like.


https://i.imgflip.com/rudtg.gif

[dubeta]

Stats for the last 3 games of the series The crucial close-out games of the series


LeBron - 31.3 points 9.3 rebounds 7.6 assists


Jordan 23.6 points 5.3 rebounds 4.8 assists



Again, these were the close-out games for each series, the games to win the championship


LeBron clearly comes out on top, its not even close, GOAT level closeout vs WOAT, the complete flipside


Again, LeBron's 2013 Finals, were far greater than MJ's 1996 (as well as any of MJ's 1997 and 1998 finals)



LeBron was the overall superior finals performer, but this is already common knowledge

[dubeta]

Stats for the last 3 games of the series The crucial close-out games of the series


LeBron - 31.3 points 9.3 rebounds 7.6 assists


Jordan 23.6 points 5.3 rebounds 4.8 assists



Again, these were the close-out games for each series, the games to win the championship


LeBron clearly comes out on top, its not even close, GOAT level closeout vs WOAT, the complete flipside


Again, LeBron's 2013 Finals, were far greater than MJ's 1996 (as well as any of MJ's 1997 and 1998 finals)



LeBron was the overall superior finals performer, but this is already common knowledge


https://media.giphy.com/media/119rmKqI1Z8RQA/giphy.gif

[3ball]

Okay . I'm gonna calculate ; Jordan's first 3 games and Lebron's last 3 games ;


Jordan's first 3 games ;

31 pts with %59 ts , 5.3 rib , 5 ast , 2.3 to 126.6 ortg , 103.3 drtg and 27.66 EFF .


Lebron's last 3 games ;

31.3 pts with %56.6 ts , 9.3 rib , 7.6 ast , 3.6 to , 120.3 ortg , 105.6 drtg and 33.00 EFF .


^^^^ As you can see dubeta - for the games that decided the series - MJ's first 3 games and Lebron's last 3 - MJ had the better stats.. :confusedshrug:

Btw, you just posted how MJ averaged Kobe's Finals stats 24/5/5 in coast mode when the series was already decided?.... :bowdown:... GOAT

Sorry bud.. take this L

[Soundwave]

LOL, at the Sonics series. You kidding me?

That series was over before it even started. Bulls got up 3-0 and they were never going to lose after that, they just got a little lazy and dropped two games uncharacteristically.

Given that they were 72 and freaking 10 that season, swept the Magic and destroyed everyone else in the playoffs, I think they're entitled to have a couple of bad games after a bit of an emotional let down.

I actually was glad they won the series back in Chicago, would've been lame to win it in that dreary Key Arena in Seattle.

Winning it back in Chicago on Father's Day is pretty much the perfect storybook capper to the perfect season.