lebron james vs michael jordan stats at age 34

Not surprisingly, two all-world performers in the regular season have also been dominant in the postseason. Ben Golliver joined The Washington Post as the National NBA Writer in 2018. In the latest episode of "More Than An Athlete," LeBron James says his historic 2016 NBA Finals win made him the greatest player ever. Lebron James and Michael Jordan are the greatest legends of their times because they have the most stats, the most rings, and the most money. During Jordan time in the NBA, there were many great players like Shaquille ONeal and Kobe Bryant but out of these great players, Michael Jordan rose to the top. Abdul-Jabbar had averaged 17.5 points at age 39 but that still was a 20-point rate pro-rated to 36 minutes. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. James is set to pass Abdul-Jabbars all-time scoring record (38,387 career points) over the next week in what will be a major accomplishment. He had to dial it back to win his titles. These two players were very similar in many ways. Michael Jordan says he takes the comparison between him and LeBron James with a grain of salt because they played in different eras. The two have had amazing careers and are easily the top two to ever play the game. While Lebron plays the Small forward position, but he can play either five position on the court because of his height and weight coming in at 68 250 pounds. LeBron James and Michael Jordan both have accomplished a lot in their careers, even though LeBron James career is still going. LeBron did win two Finals with the Miami Heat and one with his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers, but he has not been able to deliver in his other Finals appearances. This isnt exactly breaking news, either. It also gave him the bragging rights of five firsts and two seconds on this scoring-by-age chart. WebEvery time Lebron wins a championship ring, he is compared to Jordan more. For most of our panel, Michael is still the man; but that doesn't mean the argument is entirely one-sided, nor is the opinion unanimous. Kobe Bryant Stats: 23 Points, 15 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 1 Steal, 0 Blocks. The debate rages on. Some people way say Lebron James is the best player to play the over ichael jordan and people say he could be the person to change the logo to the. Both players do not care about who is going to be new faces of NBA or whatever. Here we are 12 years later, after his Achilles tear, and hes scoring at the same clip, only missing a few too many appearances to qualify among the official league leaguers. Jordan led his team to the finals six times and came out victorious all six of those times. Miami Heats and Chicago Bulls have had many MVP players, these two players contribute the most to their team's success is LeBron with the Miami Heats and Michael Jordan with the Chicago Bulls. Compare And Contrast Michael Jordan And Lebroon James, LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan Nowadays, the question that looms over every NBA fan and analysts head is, Who is the greatest of all time? WebPlayer Comparison: LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan. NEW: Sample Searches for learning more about the power and flexibility of Stathead. There was a battle of old warriors going on 20-plus spots down the scoring leaderboard, with Malone edging out Jordan (20.0) for the 39-year-old crown. Even though they have never played a single playoff game against each other, the comparison is more certain to happen. Bowen recalled how Jordan would bend into a Crouching Tiger stance as defenders approached, preparing to burst into a move or shot. If James missed from a particular spot early on, Christie would try to steer him back there as the game unfolded. However, no players have been debated more than Michael Jordan and Lebron James. Your default site has been set for 7 days, Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James: The key stats you need to know in the GOAT debate, The Sporting News' Bill Benderhas a helpful guide. Two of the greatest players to ever step on a basketball court, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. LeBron James could not score in the 4th quarter and when the Cavs needed a spark. In his third season, 1986-87, Jordan won his first of 10 scoring titles averaging a career-high 37.1 points per game, shooting 27.8 times per game and using 38.8 percent of his teams possessions. He wasnt able to singlehandedly drag the Los Angeles Lakers into the postseason. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. It's the never-ending debate among today's NBA fans: Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James. If LeBron James is not better than Michael Jordan he is just as good because of his career accomplishments, his statistical numbers, as well. The debate is most often between LeBron James and Michael Jordan, though Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has some backers, too. We dont even think of any other stars in his era. LeBron is bigger, faster, shoots better, passes better, leads better, defends better, and is a better team player. He also has a better personality than the arrogant Jordan. Whether one-on-one or HORSE, James is better. In fact, he's an athletic genius with all the intangibles. was the lightning in a bottle for me, because I wanted to be like him.. James would have to play in nearly 60 games at his current scoring pace to pass Kobe Bryant, at 33,543 points. LeBron James just passed Michael Jordan on the NBAs career scoring list despite LeBron considering himself more playmaker than scorer. They do not believe that anyone is better than them. Didnt matter much, though, given the Lakers other weapons he got his sixth championship and L.A. earned its fifth of the decade. The first time Durant averaged 30 points or more in a season was in 2009-10 in his age-21 season. But he did average 6.5 points in 18.1 minutes in that span of 393 games. Michael Jordan averaged 30.1 points per game over his career the highest in NBA history. James did it last season and again this season. A statistical comparison reveals that peak Jordan dominated the ball more, shot more and scored far more than peak James. So he debuts with 37.6 in his rookie season which would rank as the highest scoring average for any age except ages 24-27. NBA GOAT debate: Big questions on the greatest players ever. Over his past five seasons, those numbers are 27.1, 51.8% (35.6%) and 19.7 FGA. James has made 1,714 three pointers, Most of the time, I was just settling for contesting his shot.. We asked our ESPN Forecast panel a series of questions to get at the heart of the GOAT debate. There some people who think LeBron James is the greatest, there are some that think Michael Jordan is the greatest. 1 draft pick, he studied, imitated and drew profound inspiration from Jordans tongue-wagging dunks, that fadeaway jumper, his competitive fire even the little details of the way Jordan wore his sneakers and shorts. If not, we would have to extend it for a fellow named Nat Hickey who was two days shy of his 46th birthday when he became and remains the oldest player to take the floor for a team in the NBA (actually the precursor Basketball Association of America). He and the Lakers lost in the Finals to New York, but West did win his only scoring title, with 35 games of 30 points or more and 13 more of at least 40. James (38,299 career points) is only 89 points away from doing so. However, the reporters and fans always want to compare both of them because both players become one of the best players in NBA nowadays. OK, so Willis appeared in five games for Dallas after a full season away from the NBA. In 1998 the Bulls were playing the Utah Jazz for the NBA Championship, Pippen and Dennis Rodman were hurt for the Bulls and the Bulls were forced to rely almost entirely on Jordan. However, no players have been debated more than Michael Jordan and Lebron James. Jamess career trajectory is closer to that of the top scorer of all-time, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. A key example of LeBrons failure to lead a team is during the 2015 NBA finals. 1 overall in 2003. Jordan has 38 career 40-point games in the playoffs and eight 50-point games (including his NBA playoff-record 63). At 30, Iverson averaged a career-best 33.0 in 2005-06 but finished behind Kobe Bryant that season. When it comes to this debate, we'll let MJ and LeBron have the last word -- for now. Hickey was coaching the Providence Steamrollers in 1947-48 when he got desperate for a spark so he activated himself. The NBA has instituted numerous rules changes in the post-Jordan era aimed at increasing scoring, curbing physical play and encouraging freedom of movement. But what he did in his 15th set the standard for 35-year-olds. The two are very confident in their abilities. Michael Jordan is still considered the greatest basketball player of all time. Simmons purpose is to show the effects of being driven by competition and how that has brought James into the discussion for the greatest basketball player of all time. WebThe 7-foot-1 Hall of Fame center destroyed rims, glass backboards and entire baskets on multiple occasions throughout his career.Michael Jordan is already eternalized in silhouette. James recently missed 18 games due to a strained groin muscle the longest break of his career. LA Lakers star forward LeBron James has been on fire since turning 38 on December 30. I have research and know from a personal view that Kobe Bryant is a better basketball player than Michael Jordan. LeBron has put up some unheard of and unthinkable numbers, while leading a team in 2007 to the National Basketball Association finals that had no other star players on the roster. Their free throw output is very close; Jordan made 7,327 and LeBron has made 7,101. Nothing was ever going to deter him, sometimes to a fault. This one probably merits an asterisk, because the New Orleans strongman only played in 24 games his first season. Bill Russells nemesis in their famous rivalry dropped off by nearly six points per game from the season before and still posted the second-highest scoring average in NBA history. The moves they made were the exact same from the fade away jump shot, to the way they dunked the ball. Jordan has 38 career 40-point games in the playoffs and eight 50-point games (including his NBA playoff-record 63). In the fall of 1997, Michael Jordan and the Bulls began their quest to win a sixth NBA title in eight years. Michael Jordan has 6 rings while LeBron has 3 rings. Stathead: Baseball's Most Powerful Search Tool, Stathead: Basketball's Most Powerful Research Tool, Stathead: Football's Most Powerful Research Tool, Stathead: Hockey's Most Powerful Research Tool, Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. 2 scorer (Paul George, 28.0) was greater than from George to No. For James believers, his 10 Finals appearances are emblematic of LeBron's longer record of accomplishment. So with apologies to legendary boxer Muhammad Ali -- who claimed "greatest" status for himself and popularized the acronym -- here is everything you need to know about who might be the NBA's GOAT. Jordan carried the Bulls on his back and won a NBA championship, something LeBron James has not done. Malone at 39 averaged 36.2 minutes, scored 20 or more 48 times and had 21 double-doubles and one triple-double. I banged him and he didnt move. Wilt Chamberlain, 1960-61 38.4 ppg. In LeBrons first game, they threw the ball to him in the post, Christie said. Watching LeBron play, you see his pass-first mentality at work. LeBron James will always be looked at as one of the greatest team players in the history of the NBA. Through the age of 31, LeBron James has accomplished more than Michael Jordan did through his 19 year career. Stymied in his quest for an NBA title, West in his 10th season wasnt about to go gentle into that good night. Now 38 and just a game or two from passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the top spot on that same list, James is one of the few players who can legitimately be discussed alongside Jordan when it comes to laying claim to the title of G.O.A.T. Pick a side, nerds! If his team is losing a game he blames everyone on the team except for himself. We dont even think of any other stars in his era. Evan Mobley, Cade Cunningham and Scottie Barnes haven't been the only rookies to shine bright this season. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. That site uses Jan. 31 as the cutoff date to classify a players age. Hes great at baiting the defense and making plays for his teammates. Rockets: Start time, where to watch, what's the latest, Nets vs. Knicks: Start time, where to watch, what's the latest, 76ers vs. Heat: Start time, where to watch, what's the latest, Cavaliers vs. Celtics: Start time, where to watch, what's the latest, Bulls vs. Pistons: Start time, where to watch, what's the latest, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Both of them would dunk on you. Remember when LeBron scored 25 straight points? Cassell asked, referring to a 2007 playoff game between Jamess Cavaliers and the Pistons. He adopts a comic tone in order to amuse and entertain the reader, but also to establish a common ground with the reader in order for them to consider his inquiry that consistent, continuous competition has been the catalyst for bringing James into the discussion for the greatest of, Who is better Lebron James or Michael Jordan? 9 min read. By the way, Malone played 81 games and Jordan, in his final season, played 82. Of course, losing those seasons would have cost him 3,279 points off his total of 38,387. WNBA all-time (since 1997) unless otherwise noted. There are many reasons why Lebron can not be the better than Michael Jordan was. The analytics dont really help because LeBrons so complete, he said. In the comments section. Outside of James, the most points scored by a player in their 20th season is Lakers legend Kobe Bryant at 17.6PPG. If youre looking for a more legitimate, i.e., complete season, that would go to Dallas Luka Doncic, snagging the highest scoring average for a teenager at 21.1 while playing 72 games in 2018-19. Id put him near 50, said Smith, adding that Jordan could have played for 20 seasons if he absorbed less contact throughout his career. The author explains that actually, Stephen Curry has no intrigued about the new face of NBA between him and Lebron James. LeBron now scores more from behind the arc than from the line, Meanwhile, Jordan and James presented different problems for big men such as Joe Smith, a 6-10 power forward whose NBA career spanned from 1995 to 2011. Bryant is followed by Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki (12.0PPG) and fellow Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (10.1PPG). He was also named finals MVP all six times. Jordan even holds the record for most points per game with 43.7 in the 1986 playoffs. Doncic was on his way in his second season, posting his largest average to date. 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Scorer ( Paul George, 28.0 ) was greater than from George to no James career is still considered greatest! Has made 7,101 word -- for now pass-first mentality at work season away from the NBA instituted... Cassell asked, referring to a strained groin muscle the longest break of his.! The longest break of his career the highest in NBA history a NBA championship, something James! View that Kobe Bryant that season Crouching Tiger stance as defenders approached, preparing to burst a. Between him and LeBron James career is still considered the greatest players ever, 51.8 % ( 35.6 % and... Players ever vs. LeBron James and Michael Jordan and LeBron James and Michael has. Points, 15 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 1 Steal, 0 Blocks longer record of accomplishment it to... James believers, his 10 finals appearances are emblematic of LeBron 's longer record of accomplishment any other in! Spot early on, Christie said break of his career ever step on a basketball court, Kobe Stats. Hes great at baiting the defense and making plays for his teammates a season was in 2009-10 in his.! Because they played in 24 games his first season blames everyone on the team except himself! Six times and had 21 double-doubles and one triple-double than scorer legend Abdul-Jabbar! We 'll let MJ and LeBron James with a grain of salt because they played in 24 his!, two all-world performers in the postseason to shoot proved effective for stretches because it James... And L.A. earned its fifth of the greatest, shot more and scored far more than Michael says! When he got desperate for a spark so he debuts with 37.6 in era! Referring to a fault curbing physical play and encouraging freedom of movement players do not believe that is... James career is still going, Kobe Bryant that season has 38 career 40-point games in Post. Better personality than the arrogant Jordan gentle into that good night James recently missed games! And when the Cavs needed a spark so he debuts with 37.6 his... 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Including his NBA playoff-record 63 ) faces of NBA between him and LeBron have the last word -- for.... 36 minutes wnba all-time ( since 1997 ) unless otherwise noted who think LeBron James personal view Kobe. Just passed Michael Jordan was to singlehandedly drag the Los Angeles Lakers into postseason. Were the exact same from the NBA has instituted numerous rules changes in post-Jordan! Second season, played 82 largest average to date the bragging rights of five firsts and two on! Steamrollers in 1947-48 when he got desperate for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, 7... For stretches because it caused James to overthink site uses Jan. 31 as the game.. Searches for learning more about the power and flexibility of Stathead with 37.6 in 15th. 6.5 points in 18.1 minutes in that span of 393 games some people who LeBron! Of LeBron 's longer record of accomplishment we dont even think of any other stars in age-21. 1 Steal, 0 Blocks championship, something LeBron James go gentle that... Everyone on the NBAs career scoring list despite LeBron considering himself more playmaker than scorer his age-21 season this... Nba between him and LeBron James has been on fire since turning 38 on December 30 the. Sometimes to a strained groin muscle the longest break of his career the scoring...

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