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By Chris Palmer
Let's not pretend the Michael Jordan-LeBron James debate is going away. It'll rage as long as LeBron dares to push the boundaries of how good an individual player can be. Jordan is the standard for basketball excellence, so it's only natural when an audacious, game-changing star comes along that he's measured against the best ever.
First things first, this isn't about greatness or legacy. It's not about either player's place in the game or how we'll remember him. It's about basketball, ability and who does what better.
So put aside your allegiances, biases and flights of sentimentality as we compare the skill sets of these two greats to see who's better.
Shooting
Jordan's midrange pull-up was devastatingly accurate and how he scored most of his points after his game evolved from its early slasher origins. The fluid motion seemed effortless, and a sliver of space was all that was needed to free up Jordan's pull-up, which was close to automatic from 17 feet as the league has seen. Jordan's turnaround jumper from the midpost and baseline were equally effective, making him one of the most difficult ever to defend. He could spin to either hand -- allowing him to turn away from potential double teams -- and create space by taking a wide step to the side as opposed to falling straight backward. Ironically, as MJ's jumper improved his field goal percentage began to dip. He shot .517 during the first three-peat and .482 over the second.
At 25, James' midrange game, while much improved over previous years, is still a work in progress. The good news is that he can create a shot virtually any time. Now he must work on consistency. In the games in which James explodes for 40 or more, he's usually hitting the midrange jumper with regularity. The quick pull-up after driving hard to the left is emerging as his preferred shot. Even though he rarely needs to, James likes to fade back on 18-to-20-foot jumpers, which no doubt affects his percentages. His progress is also stunted because his great athleticism simply gives him more reliable options, and he's shooting a hefty 4.2 3-pointers per game for his career. James is a solid midrange shooter but next to Jordan he simply doesn't stack up.
Jordan: 10
James: 8
Ballhandling
[+] EnlargeMichael Jordan
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty ImagesMichael Jordan was poetry in motion in the air.
This category represents the biggest stylistic difference in their games. James has a perfected move for every situation and handles as well as most point guards. Whether it's breaking down a defender with an in-and-out or pushing full tilt on the break and slipping the ball cleverly behind his back, James' ballhandling is nearly flawless. It's the basis for his entire game and far and away his most important skill because it ties into everything he does.
On the other hand, dribbling was the most unrefined, stripped down phase of Jordan's game. Simply put, he was a decent dribbler at best. However, he was a savvy ball handler in that he stayed within his ability, eschewed fancy moves and took few risks with the basketball in the name of efficiency. While Jordan didn't possess a modern crossover per se, his best change of direction dribble was a right-to-left, between-the-legs move he liked to use around the foul line to get his pull-up in the lane. His dribble moves weren't intended to cover a lot of ground, just to get him to the nearest open space in which he could get his shot off. Jordan intelligently used ballhandling as purely a tool to put him in the best possible position to score.
Jordan: 8
James: 10
Perimeter moves
Most of Jordan's perimeter efforts revolved around freeing himself up to shoot his deadly pull-up. One of the best ways Jordan freed himself was to drive hard right, plant his right foot and pull up before the defense could stop. While Jordan's moves are based on an economy of movement, James' moves require more space and set up but are equally effective in getting him a quality look. James employs a variety of perimeter weapons: two-way crossovers, in-and-out dribbles and a vaunted step-back -- none of which Jordan had. (Though Jordan's turnaround was an early step-back variant.)
Much like Jordan, LeBron's favorite spot on the floor is the right elbow. Unlike Jordan, who started his work on the elbow in a triple-threat position (or with his back turned), James often begins with his clever dribble jab in which he jabs hard with his right foot while shielding a left-handed dribble with his body to see how the D will react. If the defender jumps back far enough, he'll shoot the 20-footer. If he cheats right, Lebron will blast left down the lane. Both players have tremendous understanding of how defenses react to their advances. MJ's moves are more refined, but James' catalogue of moves is a little thicker.
Jordan: 9
James: 10
Low-post moves
LeBron would be wise to pop in a few tapes from the 90s Bulls teams, because MJ upped the ante when he moved to the block and turned his back to the basket. Jordan set the standard for redesigning one's game amid fading athleticism during his second tour with the Bulls. His turnaround J, covered above, was the basis on which he built his interior game. The move was so reliable, defenders fell for nearly any fake Jordan would lead off with. He perfected the art of turning on his pivot foot, pumping and stepping through as a means to mix up his looks. His quickness, crisp body movement, precise control and patience made Jordan one of the best low-post players of his generation.
The younger James has yet to embrace life on the post and, as a result, isn't yet maximizing his physical talent. This is the biggest disparity in the two players' games, but in fairness to James, MJ didn't develop the moves until necessity forced his hand as he climbed into his 30s. Ironically, James is more physically suited for the rigors of post play, but until he devotes himself, Jordan gets the category.
Jordan: 10
James: 7
Athleticism
[+] EnlargeLeBron James
Jerry Lai/US PresswireLeBron James has improved his midrange game.
Jordan was the best athlete of his generation, but James is perhaps the best of any generation. His combination of size, speed and strength hasn't been seen before. At 6-foot 8, 260 pounds, guarding James is an unpleasant, bruising affair. James has the little things, too -- dexterity, coordination, timing and balance -- that allow him to effectively apply all of his speed and power to game situations. Jordan gives up over 60 pounds to James, who was likely stronger than MJ as a 19-year-old rookie.
But Michael isn't exactly chopped liver. Jordan's hops were effortless and he had the ability to jump off of one leg or two. He was especially adept at gliding in off one leg at speed and finishing with a silky finger roll or emphatic dunk. MJ's exquisite body control allowed him to release the ball at the rim with a delicate touch no matter how fast he was moving or how hard he got hit. Jordan's clear advantage: his first step. Lightning quick, with seemingly little wind up, Jordan could attack from a triple-threat or an upright position without warning and explode to an open space on the floor to release his pull-up. LeBron's first step is potent, but there is no answer for his second and third step. By the time most defenses start to think about recovery, he's already in the air hammering one down.
Jordan: 10
James: 10
Transition: Running the break
If Jordan was ever a tad out of his comfort zone, it was pushing full tilt end to end. MJ much preferred to walk the ball up the floor and dominate his defender with as few dribbles as possible. Even when starting the break, he rarely broke into more than a semi-trot while bringing the ball up court. Jordan also favored advancing the ball up the sideline as opposed to the middle of the floor, in part to protect his dribble and initiate the triangle from the wing. But not being in the middle of the floor limited Jordan as a passing threat and overloaded the opposite side of the floor.
James takes the exact opposite approach and looks to exploit his speed in transition whenever possible, favoring the middle of the floor as any pass-first player would. In a league overstuffed with great athletes, James may be the fastest player end-to-end with the basketball. After he grabs a defensive rebound, LeBron takes off like a sprinter out of the blocks. To keep up, the defense often has to turn around and run instead of backpedaling, helping James' passing options multiply.
Jordan: 8.5
James: 9.5
Transition: Finishing
The only thing scarier to a transition defender than James barreling down on him with the ball is James trailing. When he catches the ball in stride two steps from the basket, it's one of the most intimidating and indefensible situations in basketball. The smart play is just to step out of the way. Few have ever combined speed, elevation and power the way James has on the break.
Jordan's style sharply contrasts with LeBron's. Where James intimidates with power, Jordan eluded with cunning, quickness and elevation. Jordan took advantage of his keen ability to palm the basketball in transition, which gave him multiple options while he was in the air. It also helped keep missed dunks to a minimum and seemed to accentuate his grace.
Jordan: 10
James: 10
Passing
Passing is the natural extension of James' ballhandling. Despite a 27.7 career scoring average, James is a pass-first point guard in a power forward's body. His career average of 7.0 assists per game is higher than about 75 percent of starting point guards. LeBron has dozens of passes in his repertoire and, like Magic Johnson, benefits from his ability to see over the defense. Few are better at the skip pass or sending a three-quarters-court chest pass with bullet train velocity. His unselfishness raises the level of play of everyone around him and makes double-teams a risky endeavor.
Early in his career Jordan passed only if his shot wasn't immediately available. But as time wore on, he understood the benefit of finding a teammate with an open shot the way he famously fed Steve Kerr for the game winner in Game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals. Jordan became excellent at passing out of double-teams since he faced them so often. Jordan took the same approach he did with his ballhandling: make the simple, correct play.
Jordan: 9
James: 10
Defense
I'm a little skeptical when players are named to All-Defense eight, nine and 10 times in a career, as such repetitiveness often indicates inclusion by reputation. But Jordan's nine appearances on First-Team All-Defense were certainly warranted. One word sums up his approach: active. Jordan made dribbling and getting off passes a nightmare because his ultra quick hands never stopped probing. He was proficient in slapping up at the ball to avoid a foul, seemingly a lost art. In 1987, Jordan became the first player to record at least 200 steals and 100 blocks, even though his one-on-one defensive skills were far from perfectly honed. Jordan is simply recognized as one of the best defenders ever. But MJ had considerable difficulty guarding smaller, quicker point guards, which puts a small chink in his defensive armor.
LeBron has no such problems and is one of the most versatile stoppers in history. In Game 5 of the conference finals, when it mattered most, James shut down MVP Derrick Rose. James is the rare player who can legitimately guard all five positions. But it's not just his size, speed, strength and willingness, fundamentally he's impressed with details, such as an improved stance and sealing off the baseline. Not only is he a better defender than Jordan, he could redefine what individual defenders are capable of.
Jordan: 9.5
James: 10
Creativity
Jordan's elevation, hang time and artistry in the air were unparalleled throughout history. The way he changed hands and hit one-handed runners was awe-inspiring. Never has an athlete looked better in slow motion.
James is a master improvisator in the air as well, but he simply doesn't possess Jordan's otherworldly grace. Many of his impromptu shots are often backed by brawn as he muscles his way through opponents.
Jordan: 10
James: 8
Final Score: Jordan 94, James 92.5
Conclusion
The widely held presumption is Jordan is simply head and shoulders better than LeBron. This was never more evident when Scottie Pippen recently said that LeBron had a chance to be better than Jordan someday. Pippen was lambasted thoroughly, despite hitting the nail on the head.
In most categories Jordan and James are fairly close, despite their philosophical and stylistic differences, with regard to various phases of the game. LeBron fades away because he thinks it looks cool; MJ did it to gain an advantage. And that's precisely why Jordan wins this comparison. Jordan viewed each phase of the game as a tool to be used with a specific purpose. Every pump, every spin, every jab was done to put him in a better position. His was a game shaped by experience, failure, study and constant preparation. That's why Jordan is the better player. For now.
Chris Palmer has been a frequent contributor to ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com's NBA coverage since 1999. Follow him on Twitter.
Let's not pretend the Michael Jordan-LeBron James debate is going away. It'll rage as long as LeBron dares to push the boundaries of how good an individual player can be. Jordan is the standard for basketball excellence, so it's only natural when an audacious, game-changing star comes along that he's measured against the best ever.
First things first, this isn't about greatness or legacy. It's not about either player's place in the game or how we'll remember him. It's about basketball, ability and who does what better.
So put aside your allegiances, biases and flights of sentimentality as we compare the skill sets of these two greats to see who's better.
Shooting
Jordan's midrange pull-up was devastatingly accurate and how he scored most of his points after his game evolved from its early slasher origins. The fluid motion seemed effortless, and a sliver of space was all that was needed to free up Jordan's pull-up, which was close to automatic from 17 feet as the league has seen. Jordan's turnaround jumper from the midpost and baseline were equally effective, making him one of the most difficult ever to defend. He could spin to either hand -- allowing him to turn away from potential double teams -- and create space by taking a wide step to the side as opposed to falling straight backward. Ironically, as MJ's jumper improved his field goal percentage began to dip. He shot .517 during the first three-peat and .482 over the second.
At 25, James' midrange game, while much improved over previous years, is still a work in progress. The good news is that he can create a shot virtually any time. Now he must work on consistency. In the games in which James explodes for 40 or more, he's usually hitting the midrange jumper with regularity. The quick pull-up after driving hard to the left is emerging as his preferred shot. Even though he rarely needs to, James likes to fade back on 18-to-20-foot jumpers, which no doubt affects his percentages. His progress is also stunted because his great athleticism simply gives him more reliable options, and he's shooting a hefty 4.2 3-pointers per game for his career. James is a solid midrange shooter but next to Jordan he simply doesn't stack up.
Jordan: 10
James: 8
Ballhandling
[+] EnlargeMichael Jordan
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty ImagesMichael Jordan was poetry in motion in the air.
This category represents the biggest stylistic difference in their games. James has a perfected move for every situation and handles as well as most point guards. Whether it's breaking down a defender with an in-and-out or pushing full tilt on the break and slipping the ball cleverly behind his back, James' ballhandling is nearly flawless. It's the basis for his entire game and far and away his most important skill because it ties into everything he does.
On the other hand, dribbling was the most unrefined, stripped down phase of Jordan's game. Simply put, he was a decent dribbler at best. However, he was a savvy ball handler in that he stayed within his ability, eschewed fancy moves and took few risks with the basketball in the name of efficiency. While Jordan didn't possess a modern crossover per se, his best change of direction dribble was a right-to-left, between-the-legs move he liked to use around the foul line to get his pull-up in the lane. His dribble moves weren't intended to cover a lot of ground, just to get him to the nearest open space in which he could get his shot off. Jordan intelligently used ballhandling as purely a tool to put him in the best possible position to score.
Jordan: 8
James: 10
Perimeter moves
Most of Jordan's perimeter efforts revolved around freeing himself up to shoot his deadly pull-up. One of the best ways Jordan freed himself was to drive hard right, plant his right foot and pull up before the defense could stop. While Jordan's moves are based on an economy of movement, James' moves require more space and set up but are equally effective in getting him a quality look. James employs a variety of perimeter weapons: two-way crossovers, in-and-out dribbles and a vaunted step-back -- none of which Jordan had. (Though Jordan's turnaround was an early step-back variant.)
Much like Jordan, LeBron's favorite spot on the floor is the right elbow. Unlike Jordan, who started his work on the elbow in a triple-threat position (or with his back turned), James often begins with his clever dribble jab in which he jabs hard with his right foot while shielding a left-handed dribble with his body to see how the D will react. If the defender jumps back far enough, he'll shoot the 20-footer. If he cheats right, Lebron will blast left down the lane. Both players have tremendous understanding of how defenses react to their advances. MJ's moves are more refined, but James' catalogue of moves is a little thicker.
Jordan: 9
James: 10
Low-post moves
LeBron would be wise to pop in a few tapes from the 90s Bulls teams, because MJ upped the ante when he moved to the block and turned his back to the basket. Jordan set the standard for redesigning one's game amid fading athleticism during his second tour with the Bulls. His turnaround J, covered above, was the basis on which he built his interior game. The move was so reliable, defenders fell for nearly any fake Jordan would lead off with. He perfected the art of turning on his pivot foot, pumping and stepping through as a means to mix up his looks. His quickness, crisp body movement, precise control and patience made Jordan one of the best low-post players of his generation.
The younger James has yet to embrace life on the post and, as a result, isn't yet maximizing his physical talent. This is the biggest disparity in the two players' games, but in fairness to James, MJ didn't develop the moves until necessity forced his hand as he climbed into his 30s. Ironically, James is more physically suited for the rigors of post play, but until he devotes himself, Jordan gets the category.
Jordan: 10
James: 7
Athleticism
[+] EnlargeLeBron James
Jerry Lai/US PresswireLeBron James has improved his midrange game.
Jordan was the best athlete of his generation, but James is perhaps the best of any generation. His combination of size, speed and strength hasn't been seen before. At 6-foot 8, 260 pounds, guarding James is an unpleasant, bruising affair. James has the little things, too -- dexterity, coordination, timing and balance -- that allow him to effectively apply all of his speed and power to game situations. Jordan gives up over 60 pounds to James, who was likely stronger than MJ as a 19-year-old rookie.
But Michael isn't exactly chopped liver. Jordan's hops were effortless and he had the ability to jump off of one leg or two. He was especially adept at gliding in off one leg at speed and finishing with a silky finger roll or emphatic dunk. MJ's exquisite body control allowed him to release the ball at the rim with a delicate touch no matter how fast he was moving or how hard he got hit. Jordan's clear advantage: his first step. Lightning quick, with seemingly little wind up, Jordan could attack from a triple-threat or an upright position without warning and explode to an open space on the floor to release his pull-up. LeBron's first step is potent, but there is no answer for his second and third step. By the time most defenses start to think about recovery, he's already in the air hammering one down.
Jordan: 10
James: 10
Transition: Running the break
If Jordan was ever a tad out of his comfort zone, it was pushing full tilt end to end. MJ much preferred to walk the ball up the floor and dominate his defender with as few dribbles as possible. Even when starting the break, he rarely broke into more than a semi-trot while bringing the ball up court. Jordan also favored advancing the ball up the sideline as opposed to the middle of the floor, in part to protect his dribble and initiate the triangle from the wing. But not being in the middle of the floor limited Jordan as a passing threat and overloaded the opposite side of the floor.
James takes the exact opposite approach and looks to exploit his speed in transition whenever possible, favoring the middle of the floor as any pass-first player would. In a league overstuffed with great athletes, James may be the fastest player end-to-end with the basketball. After he grabs a defensive rebound, LeBron takes off like a sprinter out of the blocks. To keep up, the defense often has to turn around and run instead of backpedaling, helping James' passing options multiply.
Jordan: 8.5
James: 9.5
Transition: Finishing
The only thing scarier to a transition defender than James barreling down on him with the ball is James trailing. When he catches the ball in stride two steps from the basket, it's one of the most intimidating and indefensible situations in basketball. The smart play is just to step out of the way. Few have ever combined speed, elevation and power the way James has on the break.
Jordan's style sharply contrasts with LeBron's. Where James intimidates with power, Jordan eluded with cunning, quickness and elevation. Jordan took advantage of his keen ability to palm the basketball in transition, which gave him multiple options while he was in the air. It also helped keep missed dunks to a minimum and seemed to accentuate his grace.
Jordan: 10
James: 10
Passing
Passing is the natural extension of James' ballhandling. Despite a 27.7 career scoring average, James is a pass-first point guard in a power forward's body. His career average of 7.0 assists per game is higher than about 75 percent of starting point guards. LeBron has dozens of passes in his repertoire and, like Magic Johnson, benefits from his ability to see over the defense. Few are better at the skip pass or sending a three-quarters-court chest pass with bullet train velocity. His unselfishness raises the level of play of everyone around him and makes double-teams a risky endeavor.
Early in his career Jordan passed only if his shot wasn't immediately available. But as time wore on, he understood the benefit of finding a teammate with an open shot the way he famously fed Steve Kerr for the game winner in Game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals. Jordan became excellent at passing out of double-teams since he faced them so often. Jordan took the same approach he did with his ballhandling: make the simple, correct play.
Jordan: 9
James: 10
Defense
I'm a little skeptical when players are named to All-Defense eight, nine and 10 times in a career, as such repetitiveness often indicates inclusion by reputation. But Jordan's nine appearances on First-Team All-Defense were certainly warranted. One word sums up his approach: active. Jordan made dribbling and getting off passes a nightmare because his ultra quick hands never stopped probing. He was proficient in slapping up at the ball to avoid a foul, seemingly a lost art. In 1987, Jordan became the first player to record at least 200 steals and 100 blocks, even though his one-on-one defensive skills were far from perfectly honed. Jordan is simply recognized as one of the best defenders ever. But MJ had considerable difficulty guarding smaller, quicker point guards, which puts a small chink in his defensive armor.
LeBron has no such problems and is one of the most versatile stoppers in history. In Game 5 of the conference finals, when it mattered most, James shut down MVP Derrick Rose. James is the rare player who can legitimately guard all five positions. But it's not just his size, speed, strength and willingness, fundamentally he's impressed with details, such as an improved stance and sealing off the baseline. Not only is he a better defender than Jordan, he could redefine what individual defenders are capable of.
Jordan: 9.5
James: 10
Creativity
Jordan's elevation, hang time and artistry in the air were unparalleled throughout history. The way he changed hands and hit one-handed runners was awe-inspiring. Never has an athlete looked better in slow motion.
James is a master improvisator in the air as well, but he simply doesn't possess Jordan's otherworldly grace. Many of his impromptu shots are often backed by brawn as he muscles his way through opponents.
Jordan: 10
James: 8
Final Score: Jordan 94, James 92.5
Conclusion
The widely held presumption is Jordan is simply head and shoulders better than LeBron. This was never more evident when Scottie Pippen recently said that LeBron had a chance to be better than Jordan someday. Pippen was lambasted thoroughly, despite hitting the nail on the head.
In most categories Jordan and James are fairly close, despite their philosophical and stylistic differences, with regard to various phases of the game. LeBron fades away because he thinks it looks cool; MJ did it to gain an advantage. And that's precisely why Jordan wins this comparison. Jordan viewed each phase of the game as a tool to be used with a specific purpose. Every pump, every spin, every jab was done to put him in a better position. His was a game shaped by experience, failure, study and constant preparation. That's why Jordan is the better player. For now.
Chris Palmer has been a frequent contributor to ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com's NBA coverage since 1999. Follow him on Twitter.
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