MJ vs. LBJ

I’m back and I’m pissed.

I flipped on SportsCenter this morning and due to Lebron James reaching the 20,000 point milestone younger than anyone else, the comparison was made between Lebron  and Michael Jordan.

Let me rain some truth on everyone.

Truth: Lebron James at 28 years and 17 days is the youngest player to reach 20,000 points.

Truth: Michael Jordan was 29 years and 326 days when he hit the 20,000 mark.

Truth: Jordan scored his 20,000^th point in his 620^th game.  Lebron? His 726 game.

Truth: Michael Jordan averaged 30.1 points per regular season game for his career (and that number includes his stint with the Wizards). Lebron is so far averaging 27.6 points per regular season game in his career, and has only averaged 30 or more points in a season twice.

Let me take a moment to put that into perspective.  Lebron took 106 more games to get to 20,000.  Jordan, based on career average likely scored 23,190 points in the same amount of time.  So what is more impressive? Reaching somewhere sooner or faster?

Oh, and another thing! No one will ever even have a shot to match this made-for-tv record of Lebron’s because the league rules won’t allow a player to start as young as Lebron did. Seems fair, right?

Let the truth parade march on!

Truth: Michael Jordan in his career averaged 5.3 assists per game.  Lebron is averaging 6.9 assists per game (so far). It’s an assist and a half more per game.  So for all you Lebron-lovers thinking “yes, but Lebron shares the rock more” shut up.  1.5 extra assists per game. Let’s say Lebron shoots 1.5 times more per game.  He’s around a .500 shot so give him and extra 2 points per game and Lebron still isn’t touching Jordan’s career average. 

Truth: Michael Jordan averaged 33.4 points per game in the playoffs.  Lebron is averaging 28.5 points per game in the playoffs.

Truth: Michael Jordan was named to the All-Defensive first team 9 times.  Lebron has been named 4 times.  If defense matters in basketball I’d pick Jordan over Bron-Bron all day long.

Truth:  Jordan is a 6-Time World Champion and a 6-Time Finals MVP.  Lebron has 1 so far.  Long way to go for the Akron Hammer.

Truth: Space Jam…enough said.

Lebron is good.  But he is, and never will, be Michael Jordan.  That is the truth.