LeBron James

Michael Jordan

OR

By: Shanell Starling

“Michael Jordan is probably the greatest scorer to ever play in the game, but I may go as far as to say that LeBron James may be the greatest player to ever play the game because he's so potent offensively that not only can he score at will, but he keeps everybody involved and you have to be on your P's and Q's on defense because no guy on the basketball court is not a threat to score when LeBron James is out there.”

- Scottie Pippen

Who will be the G.O.A.T?

Michael Jordan

• #3 Draft Pick 1984.

• Played at UNC for 3 years, and left after his junior year.

• Junior Year: Averaged 19.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.6 steals.

LeBron James…

• # 1 Draft Pick 2003.

• Drafted directly out of High School (St. Mary)

• Senior Year: Averaged 31.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.4 steals.

MJ

• 6 NBA Championship Titles

• 5 Most Valuable Player Awards

• 14x NBA All Star

King James

• 1 NBA Championship Title

• 3 Most Valuable Player Awards

• 9x NBA All Star

The KING

• Only player in NBA history to post at least 2000 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists and 100 steals in four straight seasons.

• One of three players in NBA history to average at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists in a postseason series.

• One of four players in NBA history to lead their team in all five major statistical categories (total points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals) in a season

• First player in league history to score at least 30 points and shoot 60% in 6 consecutive games.

King James vs. MJ

• The year before MJ retired the Bulls were 57-25. After MJ retired the first time, The Bulls went 55-27 the following season.

• The year before LeBron James left the Cavaliers in 2010, they were 61-21. After LeBron James left they 19-63.

King James vs. MJ (cont.)

• It took MJ 7 years to even make it to the NBA Finals.

• LeBron James made it to the NBA Finals his 4th

year in the league.

Numbers…

Never LIE!

Since rings are so important…

Bill Russell - 11

Sam Jones - 10

John Havlicek - 8

Tom Heinsohn - 8

K.C. Jones - 8

Tom Sanders - 8

Robert Horry - 7

Frank Ramsey - 7

Which elite 8?

Since rings are so important…

Which elite 8?

Michael Jordan – 6K. Abdul- Jabbar - 6Magic Johnson - 5Kobe Bryant – 5Shaquille O’neal - 4Larry Bird – 3Wilt Chamberlain - 2 Oscar Robertson -1

Bill Russell - 11

Sam Jones - 10

John Havlicek - 8

Tom Heinsohn - 8

K.C. Jones - 8

Tom Sanders - 8

Robert Horry - 7

Frank Ramsey - 7

7x All Star 3x First Team2 Gold Medals 8x NBA All Defensive Team

NBA All Star

The only All Star on the roster.

Career Stats Comparison

30.1 PPG6.2 RPG5.3 APG50% FG33% 3P5 MVP6 NBA Title(s)

27.6 PPG7.3 RPG6.9 APG49% FG33% 3P3 MVP1 NBA Title(s)

Michael Jordan LeBron James

Who’s going to STOP Him?

Kobe? Melo? KD?

Career Stats Comparison

30.1 PPG6.2 RPG5.3 APG50% FG33% 3P5 MVP6 NBA Title(s)

27.6 PPG7.3 RPG6.9 APG49% FG33% 3P6 MVP4 NBA Title(s)

Michael Jordan LeBron James

References

Associated Press. "'Just a Kid from Akron': Another MVP Award Likely Awaits LeBron James, Who ..." Washington Post. N.p., 8 Apr. 2013. Web. 19 Apr. 2013.

Johnson, Kevin. "Sports Statistics and History: Jordan Stats." Sports-Reference. USA Today Sports, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2013

LeBron James." ESPN. April 17, 2013. www.espn.go.com.

Manfred, Tony. "LEBRON VS. JORDAN: Here's What It Will Take For LeBron James To Become The Best Ever." Business Insider. Associated Press, 09 Apr. 2013. Web. 19 Apr. 2013.

Stout, Glenn, Stephanie Peters, and Matt Christopher. Michael Jordan. New York: Little, Brown for Young Readers, 2008. Print.

Turco, Keith. "Why LeBron James Will Beat Michael Jordan." Editorial. Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 19 Feb. 2013. Web. 19 Apr. 2013.