LeBron James comments on Michael Jordan debate

LeBron James says the Michael Jordan debate is “great for barbershops”.

In what’s become the biggest topic in sports, LeBron James finally has commented on the debate that’s taken place in recent weeks concerning the question of who is better between LeBron James and Michael Jordan.

As James has led the Cleveland Cavaliers on a warpath through the Eastern Conference, he’s toppled records and etched his face on basketball’s Mt. Rushmore with a mix of bravado and humility that only he can embody. The numbers he has in the playoffs – 32.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.4 blocks per game – are staggering, his opponents words in postgame pressers reek of weariness and despite the determination of coaches to win, there is an acknowledgement that beating James is an uphill battle.

James has finally begun to emit a mythic aura that Jordan had.

For some, James can’t reach, or hasn’t, reached Jordan’s status because of the latter’s performances in the NBA Finals.

For others, that rebuttal lacks context. James has played superteams and all-time great coaches in the Finals.

To some, James has the better overall skillset. With his shooting stroke rounding into form, his knowledge of the game, passing prowess, physical dominance, versatility and what he represents off-the-court as a player, he’s the best of all-time.

To some, Jordan was the better scorer and had the “killer instinct” that many feels James lacks. While James has had signature clutch moments in his career, the idea that James doesn’t want the ball at the end of games is perpetuated by images of his passivity in the 2011 NBA Finals.

In James’ opinion, this debate is what you would call “barbershop” material. In the world of sports, barbershop debate is one where there’s passionate and inspired arguments for both parties. There could be statistical references (some inaccurate), nostalgic soliloquies in remembrance of some signature moment, hypothetical situations meant to serve as equalizers in The Great Debate.

With that comment, he’s certainly right. Go on any social media platform and you’ll see a passionate, inspired debate.

Meanwhile, Scottie Pippen, Stephen Jackson and Allen Iverson have added their names to the ever-increasing pool of ex-players who want to edge the debate away from James-Jordan debate and appreciate both players in their own right.

While this can be perceived as a cop-out answer, it’s likely a foreshadowing of the future. There may no longer be unanimous greatest player of all-time and to tear down one player in order to lift up the other will lead to fans ignoring the excellence of one or the other.

The fact that fans have to put both players under a microscope to decide who was better is evidence in and of itself that the question of who is better is indicative of how close the two are in the NBA hierarchy.

Jordan is His Airness.

LeBron is King James.

When immersing yourself into the debate, one can see that the two are neck-and-neck. With that said, James has – like Jordan – left his mark on the game. He has left a legacy behind.

Looking at individual players, James Harden, Giannis Antetokuonmpo and Draymond Green have been fitted into a LeBron-like point-forward role. Players like Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal grew up idolizing James.

Players and teams would assemble “Big Three” superteams in an effort to topple James. James, contrary to popular belief, didn’t start the superteam trend. He took the power in his hands to create superteams and popularized the concept when he joined the Miami Heat. The New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs have all tried to create Big Three, and even Big Four, superteams since.

He brought the Cleveland Cavaliers their first and, so far their only, NBA championship while transforming a city that believed it had a championship curse for 52 years into a city that believed it could win a championship every year.

He’s also been one of the most outspoken superstar athletes in sports history, taking the baton from Muhammad Ali. He’s funding schools. He’s Hollywood.

He’s also a man who rose from the depths of poverty and emerged from a concrete jungle to become The Chosen One, fulfilling his prophecy last year, a year after returning to Cleveland as its prodigal son.

His story, ethics, the way he involves his teammates while being the number one scoring option on his team.

His consistency, work ethic and way he takes care of his body will always be remembered.

The way he’s toppling records and the way he’s thoroughly dominated competition will always be remembered.

James isn’t Jordan and he may not be remembered as the greatest player of all-time. One thing is for sure though, Jordan no longer has the unanimous vote.

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What do you think of LeBron James’ comments on the Michael Jordan debate? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.