“Don’t try to demean LeBron for what he’s done, there was no KD or Steph in the ’80s or '90s” – Shannon Sharpe reacts to Al Harrington’s comments on LeBron James and Michael Jordan
Former NBA player Al Harrington weighed in on the GOAT debate between LeBron James and Michael Jordan, saying that MJ dominated, and did it at a different level. He chucked James' dominance under "playing with his lil bros," and not everyone approved of that viewpoint.
It has always been a heated debate, especially among fans. The majority of older individuals choose Jordan mainly because of his perfect run in the NBA Finals (6-0). He was also not as physically dominating as James, which is why some credit him more for his achievements.
In the latest episode of "Skip and Shannon: Undisputed," Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe discussed Harrington's comments. Sharpe was not having it. When asked if there was any truth to what Harrington said, he replied:
"No. This notion that guys don't compete on the court anymore is overblown. The idea that players in the '80s and '90s competed harder is overblown. Because the Pistons maybe didn't like Jordan, that doesn't mean the entire league didn't like Jordan."
After going on about how players are building better relationships these days due to social media, Sharpe added:
"This notion that everybody hated Michael Jordan is just not true."
"Every chance people get, they try to belittle LeBron, because LeBron is 37, and he's still doing things that even when they say he's washed up, and he can't do things, he's playing it longer and being greater."
"Don't try to demean LeBron for what the man has done by saying 'the competition.' There was no Kevin Durants in the '80s and the '90s. There was no Steph Currys in the '80s and the '90s. There was none of that. So, this notion that the players now are softer, the players now are more skilled than in the '80s and the '90s."
16-year vet Al Harrington says Jordan competed in tougher era vs. LeBron dominating his "little bros"
"The idea that players competed harder back then is overblown. Don't try to demean LeBron for what he's done. There was no KD or Steph in the '80s or '90s." — @ShannonSharpe https://t.co/C5mdFyKGRR
Sharpe has always made it clear that James is his GOAT, while Bayloss has always preferred Jordan. Nonetheless, he is advocating for respect to be shown to James for his achievements rather than belittle the competition he faced to get there.
Michael Jordan and LeBron James dominated their eras
Although every player will say they played in a tougher era, the truth is that the competition is always stiff regardless of the era, especially with how the game has evolved. Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a single game in his era, and while many might think it was easier to score then, Chamberlain could say his era was the toughest in league history.
The bottom line is that both Michael Jordan and LeBron James are extremely talented and have reached a level of dominance many only dream of. As of now, it is impossible to comment on the game without including MJ and LBJ for their contributions.
LeBron James over the last 9 Games:
31 PTS - 14 REB - 6 AST
34 PTS - 7 REB - 2 AST
36 PTS - 9 REB - 6 AST
39 PTS - 9 REB - 7 AST
32 PTS - 10 REB - 11 AST
37 PTS - 13 REB - 7 AST
43 PTS - 14 REB - 4 AST
26 PTS - 7 REB - 5 AST
31 PTS - 5 REB - 5 AST
#LeBronJames #NBAAllStar 👑 https://t.co/ijflagynlz
James is not done yet, as he still has some fuel in the tank. The 37-year-old is in his 19th season and still playing a brand of basketball younger players in their prime might never replicate. Although the LA Lakers are struggling, "King James" is getting it done on both ends of the floor in hopes of leading the Lakers to their 18th championship.
Also Read: Where are Michael Jordan's houses?