Chris Broussard picks Michael Jordan over LeBron James due to the latter's lesser number of rings
NBA analyst Chris Broussard made a comparison between LeBron James and Michael Jordan during a recent podcast episode.
Along with Rob Parker, Broussard hosts the "Odd Couple" podcast on Spotify. LeBron James is now the top scorer in the history of the NBA, but has only won four championships, while Michael Jordan has won six.
Of course, a number of NBA legends have won more than six rings in the past. Bill Russell dominated the league with the Boston Celtics during the 1960s and finished his career with 11 rings.
Broussard believes that it is LeBron James’ inability to dominate the league like Michael Jordan which makes him an inferior player:
"The history tells us, if I'm going to choose Michael Jordan, I'm gonna win every 2.5 years. If I'm going to choose LeBron, I'm gonna win every 5 years. ... The dominance of Michael Jordan was just at a higher level. LeBron has been the best player in the league, but he hasn't owned the league. Like, where's the run where no one else could win?”
The likes of Stephen Curry and Kobe Bryant both boast a better Finals record than LeBron James, let alone Michael Jordan. Chris Broussard said:
“Even when he was in Miami for four years, they were the best team on paper and they only won twice. ... You would get an argument from some people that who's era is this? Is this Steph's era or is it LeBron's era? I think one of the final straws is that we can look at every other fantastic player and point to a moment, a series where they struggled. Except Michael Jordan."
Michael Jordan and LeBron James share a special moment at the #NBA75 Ceremony.
Greatness. https://t.co/wrRYwtGYzy
LeBron James compared to Michael Jordan after breaking NBA scoring record
There is little doubt that both players are two of the greatest in the history of the NBA. While Michael Jordan enjoyed a 6-0 Finals record and a domination that was not matched during his career, LeBron plays in a league with a higher threshold.
Stephen Curry is arguably the greatest shooter of all time and has been part of a Golden State Warriors team that has dominated proceedings in the last decade. The Warriors have also had a better roster most of the time, especially in the post-Miami Heat days of LeBron James.
LeBron has maintained a high level of consistency over the past 20 seasons, scoring more than 30 ppg at the age of 38. However, he only has a 4-6 record in the NBA Finals. When it comes to individual numbers, there is a clear winner. Points and steals per game are the only two parameters in which he loses out to the Chicago Bulls legend.
LeBron James is the fourth player at age 37+ with a 50-point game, joining Jamal Crawford, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant 👑 https://t.co/RmyyLxncA6
'King James' edges MJ when it comes to assists, rebounds, scoring efficiency, and 3-point conversions. He has also played for more seasons and his 27.2 ppg falls slightly short of Michael Jordan's 30.1 ppg. These numbers do not have a lot of scope for comparison, and it is personal opinions that will feature heavily if a decision is to be made.