Michael Jordan Versus LeBron James: Who Is the GOAT?

Ever since LeBron James was deemed as The Chosen One, there has been a conversation about whether he could surpass Michael Jordan as the greatest of all time. He grew up idolizing MJ, dressing like him, wearing his shoes, and studying his play style. Once he joined the league, he even donned his number 23.

LeBron has recently appeared in his eighth straight NBA Finals series. He has nine in total and now holds a record of 3–6. Jordan, as we all know, has six rings in six appearances. Oftentimes, the rings argument is what puts MJ ahead of LeBron in debates on who is the GOAT. However, rings shouldn't carry that much weight. If they did, the greatest player ever would be Bill Russell, who won 11 championships in his 13-year career.

Who is considered the GOAT of basketball is important because of the impact one player can have on the game. Unlike football, where 53 men play, basketball teams can be completely changed by one man. In order to end this debate of who's the greatest, one needs to look at the key factors that would determine who the greatest of all time is.

Currently, Jordan holds a lead in all accolades minus Rookie of the Year, All-Star appearances, All-NBA Team, and Hall of Fame. He has a better Finals record as well as three more rings than LeBron. He also has three more All-Defense selections and one more MVP award. He also has a Defensive Player of the Year award, an accomplishment that has eluded James. While LeBron could surpass Jordan in All-Defense selections, it is hard to believe that he will be able to win four rings to best Jordan's six.

LeBron James' statistics indicate that he is a much better overall basketball player. While Jordan scored more overall, LeBron is a more efficient scorer. He has a better shooting percentage overall; he also shoots better at the three-point line, despite taking fewer shots. LeBron is also a much better passer and rebounder than Jordan ever was. MJ has a much better free throw percentage, which helps to bolster that points per game statistic. The two are almost even in efficiency ratings, with Michael being first overall in NBA history, and LeBron trailing slightly at second. Michael averaged more steals per game, but both players are dead even in blocks per game. LeBron turned the ball over more per game as well. What these career stats show is that King James is capable of excelling in all aspects of the game, not just in scoring.

In the Finals, LeBron loses his advantage in shooting efficiency but excels even higher above Jordan in his rebounding and passing ability. He also takes an advantage over Jordan defensively, leading in blocks and nearly equaling him in steals. Jordan won more games and thus has a greater overall record in the Finals. On an individual performance level, however, LeBron excels in more categories than Jordan in both their regular-season careers and Finals.

One of the most important parts of basketball is being able to hit the big shots when your team needs it. If you're going to be an alpha male, lead your team, and be considered the greatest ever, then you have to be able to step up with cold blood and win a game. Jordan is revered for being one of the most clutch players ever. LeBron, on the other hand, has been criticized his entire career for his lack of "clutchness" compared to MJ or even Kobe. I compiled all of LeBron and Michael's playoff statistics and compared their career numbers to games in which they faced elimination, as well as games in which they could eliminate their opponents. The results are as follows:

The statistics show one thing clearly, LeBron steps up in the clutch far more strongly than Jordan did. When facing a chance to eliminate an opponent, Jordan was 30-10, or won 75% of the time. Of the eight main statistical categories, his numbers dropped in each except for free throw percentage and turnovers. He shot 9% worse, had 1.4 fewer rebounds, 2.1 fewer assists, .8 fewer steals, and .6 fewer blocks. His only impressive improvement was having .8 fewer turnovers in such games. His scoring efficiency, assists and rebounds, and overall defense all lacked in games where he could put opponents away.

However, when facing elimination Jordan stepped up in some ways. He's 5-7 in his career in elimination games, boasting a winning percentage of only 41.6%. Facing elimination, Jordan's field goal percentage, free throw percentage, steals, and turnovers all got worse. He improved in rebounds, assists, blocks, and points. While he shot worse slightly, he did score 2.7 more points per game. His rebounds and assists improved well by 1.7 each per game. However, he missed 5.7% more free throws facing elimination and turned the ball over 1.5 more times per game.

LeBron, when facing a chance to eliminate his opponent, boasts a record of 35-10, or a 77.8% winning percentage. Of the eight main statistical categories, he improved in six. His field goal percentage, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and points per game all improved. He shot 2.5% better overall, added 1.3 more rebounds, .6 more blocks, and 1.6 more points. His free throw percentage falls 3.3%, and he turns the ball over .4 more times per game. James simply gets a little more involved in games where he can finish his opponents, but many of his numbers only slightly increase in these situations.

When James is facing elimination he completely changes. Of the eight main statistical categories, he improves in seven. He shoots 3.5% better, adds 5.6 more rebounds per game, 1.8 more assists, .8 more steals, 1 more block per game, 1.3 fewer turnovers, and 9.2 more points. His only downside is his free throw percentage drops 7.9% when facing elimination. LeBron plays at a completely different level when facing elimination. He improves in his on-court efficiency in every way imaginable; scoring, rebounding, getting others involved, he vastly improves defensively, and he turns the ball over less.

In conclusion, LeBron is much more clutch than Jordan. When the two smelled blood and had a chance to eliminate their opponents, LeBron wins 2.7% more often. When their backs are against the wall, LeBron wins 16.7% more often. Jordan only improved slightly in a few categories when facing elimination. LeBron improved in almost every single category and improved incredibly when facing elimination. To say LeBron doesn't play better and more clutch in crunch time situations is absurd. LeBron James has also hit more buzzer beaters than Jordan, and more go-ahead shots with five seconds to go in the game. His field goal percentage on these shots is also higher than Jordan's. You can see the statistics and video evidence of each of their made shots below.

Michael Jordan won his six rings in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998. He has two three-peat performances that were separated by a short stint in baseball. While many believe this solidifies him as the greatest, they often fail to look at the league surrounding him at the time.

Between the years of 1988 and 1995, the NBA expanded. Six teams were added; Hornets (88), Heat (88), Magic (89), Timberwolves (89), Raptors (95), and Grizzlies (95). The following stats cover the time between their creation and their first playoff appearance as a team. They will include their overall game record, the number of games played against Michael, the overall record of Jordan vs that team in those years, and their playoff record against each other if applicable.

Charlotte Hornets: First playoff appearance in 1993

• 1988-1993 (Combined record of 140-270)
• 88-89: 5 Games, 4-1
• 89-90: 2 Games, 2-0
• 90-91:5 Games, 5-0
• 91-92: 4 Games, 4-0
• 92-93: 5 Games, 3-2
• Playoffs: N/A

Miami Heat: First playoff appearance in 1992

• 1988-1992 (Combined record of 95-233)
• 88-89: 2 Games, 2-0
• 89-90: 4 Games, 4-0
• 90-91: 4 Games, 4-0
• 91-92: 4 Games, 4-0
• Playoffs: 3 games, 3-0

Magic: First playoff appearance in 1994

• 1989-1994 (Combined record of 106-249)
• 89-90: 5 Games, 3-2
• 90-91: 2 Games, 2-0
• 91-92: 4 Games, 3-1
• 92-93: 4 Games, 3-1
• 93-94: 1 Game, 1-0
• Playoffs: N/A

Timberwolves: First playoff appearance in 1997

• 1989-1997 (Combined record of 192-464)
• 89-90: 2 Games, 2-0
• 90-91: 2 Games, 2-0
• 91-92: 2 Games, 2-0
• 92-93: 2 Games, 2-0
• 93-94: 0 Games
• 94-95: 2 Games, 2-0
• 95-96: 2 Games, 2-0
• 96-97: 2 Games, 1-1
• Playoffs: N/A

Raptors: First playoff appearance in 2000

• 1995-2000 (Combined record of 135-243)
• 95-96: 4 Games, 3-1
• 96-97: 4 Games, 3-1
• 97-98: 4 Games, 4-0
• 98-99: Retired
• 99-00: Retired

Grizzlies: First playoff appearance in 2004

• 1995-2002 (Jordan retired for good in 2002) (Combined record of 101-418)
• 95-96: 2 Games, 2-0
• 96-97: 2 Games, 2-0
• 97-98: 2 Games, 2-0
• 00-01: 1 Game, 1-0
• 01-02: 1 Game, 0-1

Michael played in a league that was watered down throughout his career. As the new expansion teams finally got to the playoffs (and many didn't stay long), new teams continued to flood the league. At any given time in his career after 1988, there were at least three teams that had five or less years of experience. However, LeBron also has his fair share of criticism for playing against weak talent.

While Jordan could be said to have played in an overall weak league, many believe LeBron has played in a weak conference for his whole career. The East has been behind the West in nearly every single one of LeBron's seasons in the league. Here is the total number of wins in head-to-head matchups between the two conferences. The East has only won more games in one of James' 14 seasons.

• 03-04: West with +112 wins.
• 04-05: West with +62 wins.
• 05-06: West with +54 wins.
• 06-07: West with +64 wins.
• 07-08: West with +66 wins.
• 08-09: East with +12 wins.
• 09-10: West with +42 wins.
• 10-11: West with +72 wins.
• 11-12: West with +42 wins.
• 12-13: West with +74 wins.
• 13-14: West with +118 wins.
• 14-15: West with +76 wins.
• 15-16: West with +14 wins.
• 16-17: West with +42 wins.
• 17-18 West with +24 wins.
• 18-19 West with +54 wins.

Although the West has won more games consistently, the East has won eight out of 16 championships since LeBron has entered the league.

Aside from this, LeBron James has also only had two losing season against the Western Conference, in his rookie year when he was 6–22 and in his first season with the Lakers when he was 25–27. He tied the conference 15–15 once, in the 2017–2018 season. Every other season LeBron has a winning record against the West and overall James bolsters a record of 295–193 against the Western Conference for his career. So while LeBron does play in the weaker overall conference, he has never had a hard time beating the West.

LeBron joined the Western Conference when he joined the Lakers in 2018.

Chris Broussard made a claim before the 2017 Finals that Michael Jordan only faced 9 Hall of Famers during his championship games. LeBron has faced 30 so far. Below is the Hall of Fame opponents listed, including potential future ones that LeBron has played.

Jordan:

• Magic Johnson
• James Worthy
• Clyde Drexler
• Charles Barkley
• Gary Payton
• John Stockton x2
• Karl Malone x2

Total: 9

LeBron:

• Tim Duncan x3
• Tony Parker x3
• Manu Ginobili x3
• Dirk Nowitzki
• Jason Kidd
• Kevin Durant x3
• Russell Westbrook
• James Harden
• Kawhi Leonard x2
• Steph Curry x4
• Klay Thompson x4
• Draymond Green x4

Total: 30

Of course, not all of these players were in their prime, and overall both played against good competition. While this doesn't cover their playoff roads to get to the Finals, it shows the top talents each player faced on the biggest stage. LeBron has faced two dynasties on seven separate occasions in the Spurs and the Warriors. As for the playoffs, there is a long list of players who MJ and LeBron have faced, many of which were Hall of Famers as well. Below is the list of Hall of Famers each player has played in the playoffs alone, leading to the Finals.

Jordan:

• Larry Bird 0-2
• Kevin McHale 0-2
• Dennis Johnson 0-2
• Robert Parish 0-2
• Bill Walton 0-2
• Isaiah Thomas 1-3
• Joe Dumars 1-3
• Adrian Dantley 0-2
• Dennis Rodman 1-3
• Patrick Ewing 5-0
• Charles Barkley 2-0
• Dominique Wilkins 1-0
• Alonzo Mourning 3-0
• Shaquille O'Neil 1-1
• Dikembe Mutombo 1-0
• Reggie Miller 1-0

Michael Jordan faced 16 Hall of Famers throughout the playoffs on 39 occasions. He posted a winning record against 6 of the 16, a tied record with 1, and a losing record with 9 of the 16. His total record in the playoffs against Hall of Fame opponents was 17-22, with 10 of his 17 wins coming against Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley and Alonzo Mourning alone. If you include his Finals appearances, MJ faced 24 Hall of Famers on 48 separate occasions, with a final postseason record of 26-22, or 54%. The problem with this is 20% of his entire postseason wins came against 3 players who never won rings.

LeBron:

• Ben Wallace: 1-1
• Chauncey Billups: 2-1
• Vince Carter 1-0
• Allen Iverson 1-0
• Jason Kidd 1-0
• Ray Allen 2-2
• Kevin Garnett 3-2
• Paul Pierce 3-2
• Dwight Howard 0-1
• Derrick Rose* 3-0 (These matchups were pre-injury against MVP caliber Rose)
• Carmelo Anthony 1-0
• Paul George 3-0
• Jimmy Butler 2-0
• Pau Gasol 1-0

LeBron faced 14 current or future Hall of Famers throughout the playoffs, with many players who may end up there that aren't listed here. He faced these 14 on 33 occasions. He posted a winning record against 11 of the 14, tied with 2, and only posted a losing record to Dwight Howard with a single matchup that he lost. His total record against Hall of Fame opponents in the playoffs was 24-9, having no more than 3 wins against a single opponent. If you include Finals appearances, LeBron faced 25 Hall of Famers on 65 occasions, with a final postseason record of 34-31, or 52%. Of those 25 Hall of Famers, 7 of them accounted for 17 of his matchup losses, being the dynasty Spurs and Warriors.

In conclusion, we can see that both players won more than they lost. Jordan never beat the dynasty Celtics in the playoffs and had a 25% winning percentage against the Bad Boys of Detroit. The majority of his postseason wins came against Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley, and Alonzo Mourning; guys who never won a ring. LeBron however, won against multiple Hall of Famers at a good ratio. He only posted a losing record in the playoffs against one Hall of Famer who he played a single time. Michael Jordan had a losing record in the playoffs against 9 Hall of Famers, 6 of which he never beat in the postseason.

Only 9 out of 48 Hall of Fame opponents Jordan faced were in the Finals, 18%.

32 out of 65 Hall of Fame opponents LeBron James faced were in the Finals, 49%.

Aside from who they played, it also matters who they've played with! Many people credit LeBron with the development of the modern age super teams. They say he had to find help in order to win, starting when he left for Miami with Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade. He continued when he returned to Cleveland to join Kyrie Irving and recruited Kevin Love. So who really played with better supporting players throughout their careers? Below I will list the All Star teammates (while Jordan and LeBron played with them) and Hall of Fame (or future inductees) teammates for each player.

Jordan's All Star Squad:

• Scottie Pippen (6x)

LeBron's All Star Squad:

• Zydrunas Ilgauskas
• Mo Williams
• Kyrie Irving (2x)
• Kevin Love
• Chris Bosh (4x)
• Dwayne Wade (4x)

Jordan's Hall of Fame Teammates:

• Scottie Pippen
• Dennis Rodman

LeBron's Hall of Fame Teammates:

• Shaquille O'Neil
• Dwayne Wade
• Chris Bosh

LeBron had many more All-Stars to help him throughout his career, but the two had similar Hall of Fame talent on their teams, with LeBron only having one more, who was Shaquille O'Neil when he was far past his prime. Still, LeBron has had a far superior lineup and so Jordan holds the advantage.

Michael Jordan has six rings in six attempts. That's clearly better than LeBron's three rings in nine attempts, right? Not necessarily. While Jordan does have a better Finals record and more rings, it doesn't make him automatically better in the postseason. Based on the number of teams admitted to the playoffs, if you are knocked out in the first round, you could be ranked at 16th at worst and ninth at best. That ranking goes up to eighth and fifth during the second round. If eliminated during the Conference Finals, you could be ranked fourth at worst or third at best. Losing in the Finals obviously means you are the second best team in the league. Below is a listing of the rounds LeBron and Jordan were eliminated in during the playoffs.

• 1st Round: Jordan 3, LeBron 0
• 2nd Round: Jordan 2, LeBron 3
• Conference Finals: Jordan 2, LeBron 1
• Finals: Jordan 0, LeBron 6
• Wins: Jordan 6, LeBron 3

James has either been the best or second best in nine of his 16 seasons. This means that 56.25% of the time, he would make the Finals and finish the season at first or second. 6.25% of the time, he would rank between third or fourth. He would rank between fifth and eighth 18.75% of the time. He has never ranked at ninth or lower when making the playoffs. James has missed the playoffs 3 times in his career, meaning he finished on a team that was ranked 17th or worse 18.75% of the time.

Jordan was first or second in six of his 15 seasons. He was the best in the league 40% of the time. He was third or fourth 13% of the time; that same number applies to how often he ranked between fifth and eighth. He ranked ninth and lower 20% of the time. Jordan has missed the playoffs 2 times in his career, meaning he finished on a team that was ranked 17th or worse 13.3% of the time.

So while Jordan has a higher percentage of being the absolute best, he also had a higher percentage of being one of the worst teams in the playoffs. LeBron has a much more consistent stream of winning throughout his career, even if it wasn't winning the championship.

In conclusion, LeBron James is statistically a better player when it comes to all-around basketball. However, Michael Jordan was a much better scorer. He won more on the biggest stage, but failed often in the playoffs and rarely beat some of his greatest opponents. James played with better teammates than Jordan did. MJ also played in a much weaker league, but LeBron played in a weaker conference for the majority of his career. So who is truly the GOAT?