Michael Jordan knows how to stop LeBron James.
michael jordan or lebron james? This has become an inevitable debate among basketball fans, pitting one camp against the other. Most people still consider Michael Jordan to be the greatest basketball player of all time. But LeBron is still going, having played five more seasons than Michael, and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.
Of course, these two legends played in different eras and we’ll never get the chance to see them go head-to-head. The time difference didn’t stop some from trying to imagine how a one-on-one match between the two would play out.
The most fascinating meltdown came from Michael Jordan himself.
When Michael Jordan tried to expose LeBron James
A 2013 ESPN article quoted Michael Jordan admitting he was studying LeBron James and saying he knew how to stop him.
“I study him (LeBron James). When LeBron goes to the right, he usually drives with the ball; when LeBron goes to the right, he usually drives with the ball. When he goes to the left, he usually drives with a jump shot. It has to do with the mechanics of it and how he loads the ball to release it. So, if I have to guard him, I’m going to push him to the left nine on 10 plays. If he goes to the right, he’s going to hole up and I Can’t stop him. So, I’m not going to let him go right.”
Jordan still had basketball talent that served him well throughout his career. He understands that when LeBron puts his head down and goes right, he’s a freight train. No one can stop him.
Michael Jordan dictated that when LeBron shoots a jump shot, he tends to push to the left. According to “Shot Finder”, LeBron’s career shooting percentage is very low, only 37%, and his jump shot range is between 15 and 20 feet.
While these two players will never let us find out, it’s a reasonable calculation. Nearly 20 years after retiring, Jordan’s mind is still as sharp as ever.
The debate over “GOAT” isn’t over yet. As LeBron James ages, the discussion will only get more heated.
It turns out that Jordan is the best scorer. He won 10 scoring titles and had one of the highest scoring averages in NBA history. Jordan was also the best defender, winning the league’s steals title three times.
On the other hand, LeBron James is undoubtedly the best organizer.
Who is your greatest player of all time?