10/28/2024
The simplest way to end the GOAT debate.
Jordan was the better scorer. He owns the highest career scoring averages in both the regular season (30.1) and playoffs (33.4), won a record 10 scoring titles, and has the most game winning shots in NBA history at 9 despite playing over 400 fewer games than Lebron James.
Jordan was the better defender. A 9-time All Defensive First Team selection, he was named Defensive Player of the Year, won 3 three steals titles and has the third highest steals per game average in NBA history. Jordan also has the second most career blocks by any NBA guard.
Michael Jordan was more athletic. His "Airness" owns the highest recorded vertical jump at 48", the longest hangtime at .92 seconds, and ran the 40 yard dash in roughly 4.3 seconds.
Jordan was more clutch. MJ finished 119-60 in the playoffs, was 6-0 in the NBA Finals, and he won 6 Finals MVPs. Jordan has never lost a title game or series in college, the NBA, or international competition.
Jordan was more efficient. He retired with a 27.91 Player Efficiency rating (PER), the third highest in NBA history and stands as the only guard in the Top 10.
Jordan was a better leader. He never had coaches fired, demanded trades for new players, or formed super teams to increase his chances of winning. He also never missed a game for 9 different seasons (even at age 40), he never demanded anything from teammates he didn't do himself, and his Chicago Bulls were the only team to ever win two three-peats despite him retiring for 18 months from basketball. From November 1990 until 1998, the Bulls never lost three games in a row.
Longevity does not beat unrivaled excellence. There is only one GOAT of basketball & his name is Michael Jeffrey Jordan.
