NBA MJ v LeBron (Wiggum7534)

MJ v LeBron

Is this even an argument? Is this purely an argument because Kobe is slowing down?

As a Heat supporter, I was delighted when Miami signed LeBron (and Bosh – though that would change). LeBron had shown at Cleveland that he was a superstar. So strong, so tough to defend, and would always find a way to get his rather horrible team over the line (until it REALLY counted).

There is no doubt LeBron is struggling to re-establish himself at Miami. I’m still not completely convinced that he or Wade know whose team it is, yet, LeBron has performed very well in the crunch in the playoffs.

I’m still partial to it being Wade’s team, mainly because he has the shot that can break the heart of a team. LeBron’s jumpshot is still average at best. Anytime he shoots it, I don’t feel confident that it has a chance of going in.

The most frustrating part of LeBron is given his size, and the fact that the NBA is so weak these days insofar as hard fouls are concerned, he doesn’t take it inside enough. He far too often settles for that horrible jumpshot.

His biggest weakness for mine, however, is not that jumpshot, but his mentality. He seems far too relaxed during games. Perhaps because he knows he has Wade to help him out. He doesn’t have anything like even Kobe has in crunch time. The ability to win.

Of course LeBron has carried the Heat against the Bulls in a couple of games (including that incredible finish to game 5). And he has done quite well. But to compare him to the greatest winner of all-time (I’m not even going to apologise to Russell or Kareem). MJ won during some of the peak years for the NBA.

MJ dominated not just because he had a very very good jumper, but he knew what to do and when to do it. His decision making is up there with the best. If his shot was hot, by all means take advantage. If it wasn’t, he could find the team mate or he would drive to the basket. And this is even when he was facing the Pistons and the Knicks, two of the toughest teams of all-time, never afraid to commit hard fouls. You would think it would be a deterrent to MJ, but it wasn’t. He just kept taking the punishment. Never back down.

LeBron on the other hand, whilst obviously capable of taking it to the rack, will often take that awful step back jumpshot. Sure he can hit some, but with the game on the line, are you really relying on that?

For mine, Kobe is closer to MJ than LeBron. Kobe has that same killer instinct that MJ had (and LeBron doesn’t possess). He had that same will to win, dominating either by taking it in, or by shooting that sweet J. But even Kobe is streets away from MJ.

LeBron is an incredible talent. Still, in today’s game I would take Wade over him every time.

MJ is the greatest player of all-time. And don’t get me wrong, I always preferred Bird and Magic! But I recognise greatness, and that is exactly what MJ is. The greatest player of all-time. No contest.

@wiggum7534