Michael Jordan on if 90’s Bulls could beat LeBron’s Lakers

[BradStevens]

In comparing the videos, it appears to be a tie between MJ and LeBron. That said, in a couple of them LeBron had a breakaway and MJ was trying to get ahead of someone. In other words, Lebron may not have been full speed. Even if he was, LeBron is much larger/stronger. To be as fast as MJ but much more powerful is important. If LeBron wanted to back his way down there is little MJ could do.

You aren't even a boomer and are showing the boomer, "Everything in my day is clearly superior" bias. Though there is an intangible MJ has over LeBron that may make a difference. I think he was a better team player. Part of that may have been Phil's zen, part might be LeBron appears more self centered by moving teams so often.

No, I’m not. I’m not saying everybody was better. I’m saying MJ would still be a Top 10 player today. You and Goat are being ridiculous.

But go for it: name 10 players today either more athletic than Jordan or better all-around basketball players. Goat has to name 30.

And to show you my non bias, I’ll say right now they Jokic is every bit as good as Bird.

 

[Marvin the Martian]

No, I’m not. I’m not saying everybody was better. I’m saying MJ would still be a Top 10 player today. You and Goat are being ridiculous.

But go for it: name 10 players today either more athletic than Jordan or better all-around basketball players. Goat has to name 30.

And to show you my non bias, I’ll say right now they Jokic is every bit as good as Bird.

When did top 10 get mentioned? I have said he still might be the best but probably not. I have made no claims against him not being one of the best. In fact I think I said he would probably be a perpetual all-star.

 

[hoosboot]

Jordan and Chamberlain in their prime would dominate today. Bird and Erving would school the pretenders today.

Gibson, Koufax and Maddux would dominate today. Mays, Aaron, Williams, Mantle would all rake today.

Walter Payton would rule the NFL.

Maybe, but no way they could figure out a Bluetooth speaker in their bathroom.

 

[PhyloeBedoe]

It's nice to think MJ would be the exception, but honestly, probably not. It's most likely that there are 30-50 players in the NBA right now who are better than MJ. That's just the nature of sports and development over time.

In your mind, what was the thing that separated MJ from the crowd? His athleticism? Skills? I believe his advantage was mostly up in his dome. Not only his intelligence, but his weird competitive drive. Throw in his freakish body control and generally athleticism, and skill, and he succeeds, nay, DOMINATES in every era we’ve experienced thus far. He is the greatest of all time.

 

[BadWakeboarder]

It's nice to think MJ would be the exception, but honestly, probably not. It's most likely that there are 30-50 players in the NBA right now who are better than MJ. That's just the nature of sports and development over time.

That’s not the question. The question is more like if you had MJ’s soul and spirit in a husk of today’s player would he be the best. I can’t formulate an argument that gets to “no.”

 

[BadWakeboarder]

Kudos for trying to fight the good fight, Marvin, but the Cooler needs to be renamed "Old Men Waxing Poetic About the Good Old Days When They Were Young(er)". This is the 2nd "get off my lawn" thread this week!

Jordan's biggest assets as a rookie were his speed, size, quick twitch, and jumping ability. I am skeptical that any of those things would be extraordinary in today's NBA. And I am nearly certain that Jordan wouldn't have been able to keep his many vices out of the social media microscope of today's climate. Hall of Famer or Jontay Porter? 🤣

The game has certainly changed. It was more entertaining when it wasn’t all dunks or 3’s. If MJ had any struggle to today’s game it would be his need to catch up to the long range game - much like Lebron has had to adjust in the back part of his career.

I’m honestly convinced that Bird and Magic would dominate todays game if they had the training pipeline that today’s players have.

 

[BadWakeboarder]

In your mind, what was the thing that separated MJ from the crowd? His athleticism? Skills? I believe his advantage was mostly up in his dome. Not only his intelligence, but his weird competitive drive. Throw in his freakish body control and generally athleticism, and skill, and he succeeds, nay, DOMINATES in every era we’ve experienced thus far. He is the greatest of all time.

It was 100% in his dome. Nobody in the history of sports wanted to win more than him. To a fault.

 

[BadWakeboarder]

In comparing the videos, it appears to be a tie between MJ and LeBron. That said, in a couple of them LeBron had a breakaway and MJ was trying to get ahead of someone. In other words, Lebron may not have been full speed. Even if he was, LeBron is much larger/stronger. To be as fast as MJ but much more powerful is important. If LeBron wanted to back his way down there is little MJ could do.

You aren't even a boomer and are showing the boomer, "Everything in my day is clearly superior" bias. Though there is an intangible MJ has over LeBron that may make a difference. I think he was a better team player. Part of that may have been Phil's zen, part might be LeBron appears more self centered by moving teams so often.

The argument of LeBron vs Jordan isn’t a one on one comparison. That would be silly. LeBron would bully Jordan in one on one.

I coach 6th grade travel basketball. The kid on the team who performs best in one on one drills is the worst kid on the team during actual 5 on 5 gameplay. Hand to God.

The question about LeBron versus Jordan has never been about individual play, it’s been about who is the best overall player across the board. And to me, there’s never even a question.

 

[The Original Happy Goat]

That’s not the question. The question is more like if you had MJ’s soul and spirit in a husk of today’s player would he be the best. I can’t formulate an argument that gets to “no.”

That was Marvin's thought experiment, but not what I was responding to. It was McM saying you could just time travel MJ from 91 to today and he'd still be the best.