It’s 1986, Michael Jordan’s peak year as a professional basketball player, Jordan was now the face of the NBA, and refused to step down from his role. In fact, he was just beginning. Jordan himself turned the city of Chicago into a massive fanbase. Wether or not you knew anything about basketball, you knew that Jordan was the face of the league. He averaged about 32.8 points per game, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and a free throw percentage of 83.5%. He led the league in almost every statistic of the time period without a doubt. Even Chicago’s rivals, like the Cleveland Cavaliers, were forced to acknowledge Jordan’s skills on and off the court; however, Jordan wasn’t always great. He started out as a young child, just like any other, and eventually he was cut from his sophomore year varsity basketball team. However, he refused to let the setback define who he was, he put in hours of work, and eventually proved everyone wrong and became the star of the team the following year. Eventually, he went further becoming the headline of the NBA.
Flash-forward about 15 years, LeBron James started his rookie year as a professional basketball player with the Cleveland Cavaliers, ironically Jordan’s natural rival. James was drafted straight from high school, skipping over a long college career, which was completely unheard of and still is. James’ career was nothing short of outstanding, and no matter what side you’re on, there’s no denying his abilities on the court. James averages approximately 27 points per game, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and a free throw percentage of 73.7%. Although the two never played each other in the big leagues, many can agree it would have been very interesting to see the two go head to head against each other. As James progressed through his career he was hit with extreme doubt and shame as he moved from team to team, especially by the older generations who live and breath Michael Jordan. However, the younger generations accepted him, and coined him with the name ‘King James.’
Avid basketball fan and Social Studies teacher Morgan Mitchell, supports the older star, Michael Jordan. “In my class when we talk about polarization, that’s my example, our country is polarized on who’s the GOAT, just as our government is. In my opinion, Jordan is the OG and earned six out of six championships, all on one team, and you can’t beat that. Jordan is better,” Mitchell said.
Jordan was solely on one team throughout his career and earned all of his titles with the same team, unlike his counterpart, LeBron James. James has switched teams about eight times within his 22 season long career; however, some chose to overlook this shadow and still agree with the fact that “King James” is in fact he GOAT of the league, even if it is a select few. A poll conducted by The Pulse, demonstrates that 83% support Jordan, while only a small 17% support James.
Junior Mason Samuels plays for the Pioneer basketball team and believes that LeBron James is the better basketball player.
“I think that LeBron James is the better basketball player because he is able to play for much longer. His long endurance makes him a better player,” Samuels said.
Sophomore Jameson Elliot defends the both, but still clearly supports one star over the other.
“I think that Michael did it better and LeBron did it longer. But I still think Michael is better,” Elliot said.
There is no denying that both players are great at their skill and practice to perfection; however, the choice comes down to more than stats and numbers, it comes down to one’s own personal opinion.
