Sir Charles in Charge
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LeBron James is not the NBA’s all-time greatest, and it’s not even close

By Jaxson Brown

LeBron James hugs Michael Jordan (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
LeBron James hugs Michael Jordan (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – MAY 27: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during Game Seven of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on May 27, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 27: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during Game Seven of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on May 27, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Scoring

The main purpose in basketball is to get that round orange thing inside of the circle hoop. MJ, Kobe, Curry – household names yelled aloud when shooting an inanimate object at a fictitious hoop – or a real ball and hoop – hoping for a “score”.

Since 2004, LBJ’s been able to do that at high frequency – but on a real court. After his rookie season in fact, LeBron hasn’t seen anything less than 25 PPG over the last 13 years – not bad! That’s an average of 27.2 PPG for his career – though you’re not hearing kids echo “LeBron!” at your local YMCA. Still, this is a category he lacks in all-time when being compared.

To illustrate, Jordan won the scoring title a cumulative ten seasons in a row to James’ once…back in 2008. Two different styles of scoring for each, but no matter how it got done – Jordan did it better. 

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Here are numbers for career scoring titles:

   1. ) MJ – 10 – 1st all time

   2.) Wilt – 7

   3.-5.) Durant, Iverson, Gervin – 4

  36.) LeBron James – 1

The famous argument for this scenario is that LeBron plays in a tougher era.

Not true, as LBJ has had a much easier path to every NBA Finals he’s been in – to the effect of already having a ticket punched year in and year out – albeit the East hasn’t been the strongest over the last 15 years. Still, he’s only managed ONE scoring title? Why is that? Simple – LeBron James isn’t a scoring machine. Has he had to shoulder the load a majority of the time? Sure. But he didn’t score like MJ.

During their time, including present, LeBron falls to MJ almost always statistically. While James’ best season saw him take home 31.4 PPG in 2006, Jordan tallied up a whopping 37.1 PPG in ’87 – which is top 5 all-time for PPG in a season. LeBron James? 36th. Also, MJ averaged 30+ PPG eight different years during the regular season. EIGHT!

Let’s look at some offensive minded stat averages for both MJ and LBJ though their careers during the regular season:

  • PPG – LBJ (27.2) – MJ (30.1) – 1st all-time 
  • FG% – LBJ (.504) – MJ (.497)
  • 3PT% – LBJ (.344) – MJ (.327)
  • FT% – LBJ (.739) – MJ (.835)

Regular Season Winner: Michael Jordan

With percentages being the focal point, still, Jordan was able to produce at a higher level than James. Though steals seem to be similar, MJ was able to create more offense for his teams with his signature defense and when it came down to the charity stripe – Mike takes it with his eyes closed. Both players have had their share of missed shots and game winners, but when it comes to who should get the rock for a greater chance at a bucket? MJ > LBJ. Every time.

Fast-forward to Playoff basketball, Jordan really pulls away:

  • PPG – LBJ (28.9) – MJ (33.4) – 1st all time
  • FG% – LBJ (.491) – MJ (.487)
  • 3PT% – LBJ (.332) – MJ (.332)
  • FT% – LBJ (.743) – MJ (.828)

Playoff Winner: Michael Jordan

Not only is Jordan the all-time leader in PPG in the regular season and playoffs, he was able to do it at a considerably lower rate than LeBron James. In other words, he did more with less. Playoff career-wise, at 33.4 PPG to LBJs 28.9 PPG, Jordan never saw anything lower than 30 a game other than his rookie season (29.4 PPG). MJ also averaged over 30 PPG in the playoffs for 12 different seasons to James’ 6.

Additionally, Jordan played in 60 less playoff games to achieve such a feat. LeBron is 4th on the list for all-time PPG in the playoffs, but Kevin Durant and Steph Curry aren’t too far behind.

With all that said and from what we’ve seen six different times in the finals, LBJ doesn’t appear be on the same level as Jordan when it comes to getting a bucket.

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