Who is more accomplished, Lebron or MJ?

NBA | February 8, 2021

They are perhaps the two most talked about NBA players of all time. Michael Jordan and Lebron James. Depending on where your allegiances are, either one can be classified as the GOAT without many rebuttals.

But when it comes to the two greatest players ever, who is the most accomplished? Both have numerous titles, records, took the league by storm but the debate is going to rage on for years to come.

When it comes to Lebron James for many he is perhaps the greatest to ever do it. Lebron has done virtually everything in the sport. His list of accolades is impressive since entering the league. Lebron is a 4x NBA Champion and 4x NBA Finals MVP, he is also a 4x League MVP and a 16x NBA All-Star to go along with his 5 NBA All defensive First-team selections too.

Having won back to back titles with the Miami Heat to then breaking Cleveland’s NBA Finals drought, Lebron has shown no signs of slowing down after taking the Lakers back to the promised land last year. Even at the ripe old age of 36, he is still putting up serious numbers, averaging 25 pts, seven assists, and seven rebounds a game while still averaging 36 minutes per game this season.

James is making his way up the all-time charts too. He is currently third on the All-Time scoring list, fifth on the All-Time assists list and he is in the top 15 in steals. His ability to play at a consistently high level every game is a testament to the way he prepares his body as aside from his injury in his first season as a Laker, Lebron has had a good record when it comes to injuries.

Some might say that his sub -500 record in NBA Finals is a blight on his GOAT status but considering what he has done in the game that would be harsh as he has no equal in the game when it comes to current day players.

Then there is Michael. Like Lebron, Jordan is considered to be the GOAT irrespective of what Lebron does for the rest of his career. If you see titles as the deciding factor then this next stat will make the decision clear for you.

Jordan during his career went to the NBA Finals six times and won all six along with being named Finals MVP in all six Finals Series which is just remarkable. Jordan was also a 5x League MVP, a 14x NBA All-Star, won defensive player of the year in 1988, was the league’s leading scorer ten times in his career, and was selected nine times in the NBA’s All-Defensive First-Team for good measure. Is that still not enough?

Michael is fifth on the All-Time scoring list and is third all-time in steals. His killer mentality when playing was something to behold and the way he was able to single-handedly take over games was a feature of his career. Jordan accomplished all this despite retiring twice during his playing career, once between 1993 and 1995 and then again from 1999 to 2001 before he came back to play for the Wizards for two years until 2003.

So no matter what side of the fence you are on when it comes to comparing Lebron and Jordan, both have valid arguments when it comes to who is better and more accomplished. Depending on what you value more in a player, both can be seen as winners.

Either way, the debate shows no signs of slowing down and with Jordan’s six NBA Final titles, Lebron is desperately trying to chase him down as he goes after his fifth this year with the Lakers.

Will Lebron ever be viewed as better than Jordan?

 That is for you to decide.

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Adam Schultz

Adam has authored hundreds of articles covering the NFL and football. Adam currently covers Bayern Munich in the German Bundesliga as well as Arsenal in the English Premier League. Adam promotes his work with his social media channels Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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