“If you had to pick between the two, that would be a tough choice,” Jordan, now owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, told program host Ahmad Rashard, “but five beats one every time I look at it.”

 

Bryant has won five championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, with James winning his first NBA title last June. Jordan, of course, won six championships with the Chicago Bulls

 

“And not that he won’t get five,” Jordan said of James. “He may get more than that, but five is bigger than one.”

 

Told of Jordan’s view regarding Bryant, James left the conjecture to others.

 

“That doesn’t matter to me,” he said. “If you take Kobe one and then I go second . . . it doesn’t matter. I don’t really get too involved about what guys say about me, or if you take Kobe or if you take LeBron.”

I am more interested in Jordan/James one on one in their prime...

 

Thoughts on either question?

MJ would win. I think his one on one skills are greater than Lebron's.

MJ would win. I think his one on one skills are greater than Lebron's.

 

What about Lebron backing MJ down or going straight to the basket?

I think it would be a lot closer than some think.

 

MJ had a better jump shot, but Lebron is better at driving to the basket IMO.

 

It;d be a good test.

MJ would win. I think his one on one skills are greater than Lebron's.

 

Ditka would win.....

I really think LeBron is more skilled than Jordan. But Jordan had a competitive nature that was more intense than any player I've ever watched. So I'd lean MJ if they went one-on-one. It pains me to say that, because there isn't a single athlete I have disliked more than Michael Jordan.

Not Jerry Tipton @NotJerryTipton

Jordan says Kobe > LeBron, simply because Kobe has more championships. Stellar logic, Mike. In that case, Russell > Horry > Jordan.

As of now Jordan was/ is a better player than LeBron. Kobe has had a more successful career so far but I think it would be a tough argument to say that Kobe in his prime was better than LeBron is right now.

 

In a game of one on one I'd take James. He's bigger, more athletic, quicker, and stronger than Jordan ever was an MJ was a heck of an athlete.

I am more interested in Jordan/James one on one in their prime...

 

Thoughts on either question?

 

James

 

What about Lebron backing MJ down or going straight to the basket?

 

Lebron simply bigger and stronger than Jordan and IMO every bit as quick if not quicker.

 

I think it would be a lot closer than some think.

 

MJ had a better jump shot, but Lebron is better at driving to the basket IMO.

 

It;d be a good test.

 

MJ at this same point in his career only had a mid range jumper.

 

As of now Jordan was/ is a better player than LeBron. Kobe has had a more successful career so far but I think it would be a tough argument to say that Kobe in his prime was better than LeBron is right now.

 

In a game of one on one I'd take James. He's bigger, more athletic, quicker, and stronger than Jordan ever was an MJ was a heck of an athlete.

 

 

Dont forget who MJ had playing right next to him, Pippen one of the Top 50 players in NBA history.

 

I think they both won their 1st tile at the age of 28. At the age of 23 he led the Cavaliers to the Finals.

 

I will take James and I grew up loving Jordan.

Not Jerry Tipton @NotJerryTipton

Jordan says Kobe > LeBron, simply because Kobe has more championships. Stellar logic, Mike. In that case, Russell > Horry > Jordan.

 

 

Excellent point.

Anytime LeBron goes beyond his spectacular self like he has been the past couple of weeks, it is customary to start bringing out the gold standard of comparison, Michael Jordan. Jordan, like Kobe (but unlike James) cannot stand these type comparisons because in his mind he is better. So this is nothing more than another shot back at the media, and in turn LeBron, for even questioning his own place in basketball history.

 

Jordan is regarded by many as one of the best trash talkers in sports history. He would get in to your mind and rip out your soul and laugh about it as he was doing it. The ultimate competitor. I have never seen James in that light... he is a lot more jovial and easy going. Not that he does not take basketball seriously, but has a good perspective on it all. If their one-on-one game is officiated by referees, I like LeBron's chances and I believe he would win. If it is a standard one-on-one type format (make it, take it) with unlimited fouls, Jordan would win. He would seriously tackle LeBron and push him to the ground before he would let him take the ball to the rim and make him shoot it the entire game. Jordan would have the ability to get off his jumper because that is what he could do. I would take MJ 11-8.

 

This summarizes Jordan for you. On First Take earlier this week, Skip was telling the coolest Michael Jordan story ever. The year following his Bull's retirement, the Bulls drafted Corey Benjamin to replace MJ in the line-up. Upon being drafted Benjamin had some kind of comment about how he was better than Jordan now at his advanced age, or Chicago would forget about him... something along those lines. Anyways, at some point the next season, one day during practice in comes Michael Jordan in sweats and points to Benjamin demanding they play one-on-one right then. Coach Floyd and Benjamin agree. Jordan proceeds to beat Benjamin 11-2 and 11-1.

This came from nbadraft.net message board...

 

"Corey Benjamin was the Bulls' first pick in 1998. The next year MJ has retired and goes to visit the Bulls one night in Atlanta. In the locker room after the game, Benjamin goes up to MJ and says, "I'm sorry you retired because I wanted to take you." The next week back at the Bulls' practice site, MJ shows up unannounced and after practice says to Benjamin, "You and me, now." MJ hadn't played in 8 months, but he destroyed the kid, just pummeled him. Tim Floyd said it was like watching a panther attack." -- Skip Bayless, sports writer

I am more interested in Jordan/James one on one in their prime...

 

Thoughts on either question?

 

Lebron has the obvious physical traits over Jordan. But Jordan's defense can't be overstated. Jordan guarding you would find a weakness or a hitch and he would stop you. Lets also not act like Jordan is someone easy to back down. I'd pay to watch it. But the Jordan fadeway he mastered later in his career is unguardable , and would be the difference.

 

On the first topic what is Jordan picking the body of work or who he would take right now today. I won't agree with Jordan if its the 2nd choice. Honestly if you switched Kobe and Lebron right now, and Lebron was on the Lakers. Is there anyway possible a Lebron led team right now is fighting for a playoff spot? No way no how, if Lebron led that Cleveland team to 60 wins he could get this Lakers team in the playoffs.

I still say MJ. And as much as I admire him and his on the court accomplishments, what did you expect his answer to be? He knows that no one really compares Kobe to him as the all-time great. However, most basketball fans would argue that on the pace LeBron is on, he'll more than likely be in the argument and perhaps win the argument as greatest player of all time. So, with typical Jordan arrogance, that's exactly the answer I'd expect from him.

 

As for one on one comparison, I have to agree with Lipton, I'm anxious to see how LeBron's game morphs as his body ages and he can't simply jump over people anymore.