Michael Jordan who? LeBron James just caught a ghost

Listen, I don’t want to hear anything about this Michael Jordan cat after what I just saw from LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers last night.

LeBron James may have felt like he was chasing ghosts before the season but in the playoffs he’s been a ghostbuster. After watching the Cleveland Cavaliers throughout these playoffs, the LeBron James – Michael Jordan debate came to a head for me after I watched the Cavs go up 72-31 at halftime.

Say what?

King James and his Arthurian roundtable of knights that just double as a basketball team called the Cleveland Cavaliers just put the beatdown on Beantown. Despite the Cavs not playing their starters for the entirety of the fourth quarter, the Cavs beat the Boston Celtics by 44 points.

When James left the game, the Cavs were up by 46 points.

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love were sensational, combining for 44 points (15-25 shooting from the field, 7-15 from three-point range) and played excellent defense along the way, their contributions can’t be ignored as they both played some of the best basketball of their careers. I’ve never seen Irving so engaged and effective on the defensive end and it should give fans confidence that Irving could stick with Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry for 48 minutes.

But nothing they did could outshine the 30 points, 7 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocks from James.

James, who was left off of the list of MVP finalists and even snubbed by one media member who’s allowed to cast a vote for the All-NBA teams, played this game like a man consumed by anger.

(Editor;s note: James wasn’t notified until after the game that he was fourth on MVP ballots)

He attacked the rim with ferocity, appeared in passing lanes like Batman appears in dark alleyways, he hit his threes with the confidence of Reggie Miller.

There was no stopping him. He went from throwing in lobs over Isaiah Thomas’ head that could have ended for Thomas like it did for John Lucas III to finishing layups while being fouled by three Celtics.

James’ team looked like the Monstars, a team full of NBA legends.

He looked like Michael Jordan on the Monstars.

Actually, with his court vision and strength, he looked better than Jordan.

After what I’ve seen from James over this 10-game stretch, ten postseason games that the Cleveland Cavaliers have won as they try to reach the NBA Finals, I’m convinced that he’s the complete package and, if this is his peak, it’s better than Jordan’s.

This isn’t a conversation about the numbers. This is a comparison of their skillsets using the eye test.

Jordan would glide around defenders and fly to the rim. He was a sensational scorer and possessed great court vision. He was an absolute menace on the defensive end.

James is Jordan on steroids.

He does all of these things but he’ll also run right through defenders or bowl them over.

He doesn’t just possess incredible court vision, he controls and manipulates the defense while also seemingly having eyes in the back of his head.

He delivers skip passes with a special understanding of the game and how the defense will react to his movements.

Oh and his ability to shoot the three is likely at a level that Jordan could only aspire to. James is hitting threes in-rhythm and off-the-dribble like he was (throwback reference) Michael Redd.

All this after James destroyed the Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors, leaving their stars and coaches at a loss for any words other than praise for his play and disappointment that they have to face him.

Paul George might have always wanted to be a Laker. He definitely doesn’t feel like playing James in the playoffs anymore though.

Kyle Lowry may have always planned to test free agency. He definitely doesn’t feel like playing James in the playoffs though. DeMar Derozan just wishes they had James, that way they’d win too.

James had the Boston Celtics trying to convince themselves that he’s human.

Just for him to prove he’s not.

He dismantles teams and tells the media that that wasn’t even his best.

Postgame, after the Cavs set the TD Garden on fire with 19 threes, James told the media that there was another level the Cavs could go to.

He’s never satisfied and worked relentlessly on his game.

I’m not sure any player with James’ level of natural talent has refined his abilities on the court, or has made as much effort to perfect their craft, as him.

He’s currently averaging 34.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.5 blocks per game is also shooting 56.9 percent from the field, 45.8 percent from three-point range and 72.9 percent of his free-throw attempts. He’s also making 76.9 percent of his shots within three feet of the rim.

Some people may say that this piece is me being a prisoner of the moment.

I’ve thought James was better than Jordan since 2003, I was just waiting for him to put it all together.

Related Story: LeBron, Cavs set records in the TD Garden during Game 2

Do you think LeBron James still has to prove he’s a better basketball player than Michael Jordan? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.

*All stats courtesy of www.basketball reference.com