LeBron James and Michael Jordan have been at the center of a timeless debate for years and it’s no closer to a resolution than it was years ago. But for former NBA point guard Muggsy Bogues, LeBron isn’t even worthy of being in the conversation at all.
“Skill-wise there’s no other than MJ, and Kobe was the 2nd coming of that and had that, and him being the 2.0 version MJ and being able to have that mindset, that same killer instinct mindset that MJ had that’s what separated him from a lot of guys,” said Bogues on the Adam Lupis podcast. “LeBron is one the greatest players to ever play this game, longevity-wise, and statistic-wise, but skill set I’ll always give it to Jordan. MJ was a killer, LeBron is nothing like him.”
The GOAT debate has raged on for decades now and a new name enters the conversation every generation. Before it was Jordan, there was Magic Johnson, who was preceded by Wilt Chamberlain. LeBron James is the latest NBA player to insert himself into the potential GOAT category but his case is still hotly contested by fans and analysts alike.
Even over 20 years after his initial rise to power, Michael Jordan’s run in the NBA remains unmatched. Over 15 years in the league, Michael averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game on 49.7% shooting. From 1991-1998, he led the Bulls to six NBA championships, including two separate three-peats. He won 5 MVPs and was voted as an All-Star 14 times.
Jordan, 6’6″, wasn’t taller or heavier than the average player but he was able to use his natural skills and freakish athleticism to create clean looks around the rim. He was also an unstoppable mid-range shooter, with a career percentage of 49% from the area.
Perhaps the best thing about Michael was his relentless competitive spirit. Just as Muggsy Bogues remembers, Michael had a killer mentality that gave him an edge against most athletes in the league.
LeBron James may have the resume to match Jordan, but he doesn’t have the same killer mentality about him. As a 4x champion and 4x MVP, LeBron is arguably the most accomplished athlete since Jordan and his streak of 21 active seasons certainly gives him a bonus in legacy talks.
With career averages of 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game, LeBron isn’t too far behind Michael in terms of the numbers and it’s no secret that he’s surpassed Jordan to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
What really holds him back from being the GOAT is the lack of fear. Unlike Michael, who had the entire NBA on its heels, LeBron James doesn’t inspire the same kind of fear or dread as other top players like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, or even Stephen Curry. He doesn’t play with the same kind of intensity as Jordan did and it seems LeBron would rather make friends with his fellow players than make an enemy out of them.
Of course, as an active NBA athlete, LeBron still has time to build up his GOAT case and if he wins another championship it could be all he needs to finalize his case and bring most of the doubters to his side. However, for Muggsy Bogues and others who saw Jordan play first-hand, even that may not be enough to top Michael Jordan’s extraordinary legacy.
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