![]() Jordan’s overall value by this standard is 0.6 points higher than James’s. So overall Jordan ends more possessions for his team because he takes more shots, but he also gets it back a little bit more, and he creates slightly more offense. Possessions Ended (turnovers + made shots + factored missed FGA & FTA): Possessions Gained (steals + factored rebounds and blocks): Looking at some of the factors we examined in the Jordan vs. Creating a plays made to turnover ratio, we show that Jordan is more efficient as an all-around points creator for his team. When we factor in attempts to create scores (FGA – 3PA + AST) to get a “plays made” estimate. MJ and Bron have very similar assist to turnover ratios. However, Jordan scores more points because he uses more of his team’s available possessions to try to score, and because he turns the ball over significantly less. Kobe comparison was very close in terms of actual pace adjusted numbers, almost the same PPG, similar assists, similar TS%, Bron and MJ are strikingly different yet they have almost exactly the same metrics, meaning they serve different team functions but have similar value.ĭigging into the stats a little deeper, we see that LeBron is slightly more efficient in his scoring attempts. It’s tough to evaluate which of those lines is better, isn’t it? The pace adjustment did very little to lessen MJ’s dominance. Let’s stick with what we know and examine the numbers. Nor do I know what a semi-zone would do to Jordan’s ability to ball-hawk on defense and high-post on offense. I don’t know if having a hand-check available would significantly help LeBron’s on-ball defense or hurt his driving game. That said, I don’t have a crystal ball to tell me how Jordan would function on a team loaded with three point shooters or how LeBron would play with no zone defense. Obviously there are other factors at play in today’s game that make it different from what it was in the early 1990s, so arguments could be made that adjusting for pace is only one piece of the comparison. I adjusted Michael’s stats to the 2011-13 Heat pace, so that the possessions available to both players would be level and would be in keeping with today’s game. Both players were statistically and by reputation and accomplishment head and shoulders above the competition of their day. Both players had to adjust to sharing the spotlight with superstar teammates. They both had great stats but missed out on MVPs in the first season and then won back to back season MVPs and in Jordan’s case back to back Finals MVPs (LeBron may very well accomplish the same). Both players’ teams won 65+ games the third season. ![]() Both players won their first championship the next season. ![]() Both players lost to the eventual champs in their first season under these new circumstances, Jordan to the Pistons in 7 games and LeBron to the Mavericks in 6 games. The comparison is eerily apropos.īoth players were dealing with new team structures in the wake of playoff failure – Jordan with a ECF loss to the Pistons and the installation of Phil Jackson in the head coach position and the triangle offense changing his responsibilities – LeBron with a disappointing 2nd round loss to the Celtics and a change of teams to Miami. The seasons are 2011-2013 for LeBron James and 1990-1992 for Michael Jordan. You know I need to get in on this! Revisiting our pace adjusted comparison between Kobe’s best 4 years and Jordan’s 4 most comparable seasons, I’ve broken down the numbers on LeBron as a member of the Heat vs. In response to a quote from Pat Riley wherein he stated that LeBron James may be the best player ever, there’s been a healthy dialogue about whether or not James has a defensible argument as the G.O.A.T. ![]()
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