In my opinion,
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I just think he is the most physically intimidating player of his generation. I compare him to Wilt in that way. Only difference is that there are so many gifted athletes today compared to when Wilt played because of the way they take care of their bodies today. Jordan is number one by a long shot. So many better players during that era than today. Honestly the talent in the league sucks today. I put Lebron at 2 a little bit ahead of Kobe because I think at his prime, he would still be just as good playing in Jordan's era because he was so much bigger and faster than a lot of players then. Kobe had the mentality but was not built for 80's/90's Basketball. Playing like he does now, I guarantee Bron would have had a shorter career cause he would have his ass beaten and bruised every game.
I think the depth of talent is actually so much better its harder to be great.
Booker is Reggie Miller. If you took any of these cats like Gordon, Gilchrist, and they had the space to shoot back then...I mean we forget how bad of shooters everyone was. They were more brawler on the Knicks and pistons than basketball player. Shooting was secondary and tertiary. I once told my friends I could shoot better than half the NBA...and that might be true in the era I grew up with, but is certainly no longer. I could smoke Anthony Mason and Bill Lambeer and Charles Oakley in horse. But those guys didn't even grow up with a 3-point line.
The Warriors would have lit up the 80's and 90's like a Christmas tree, and then not made it out of second round because half the team would be in the infirmirary.
LeBron translates to any era and so does Jordan because their gifts are transcendent. "The great ones" had some trait or developed a cornerstone of ball ability that is high percentage and unstoppable.
Jordan's was elite quickness, elevation, rare coordination, master ball skill, and unbelievable spin control off the glass.
I played a kid like that once or twice at the local 24 hour, and he was like 5'8", but you couldn't even let him look at the glass. If he could see the glass from inside 8 feet it was 2 points, he could spin it in off any corner, at any speed or angle. But you could smother him with length and take his offensive skill out of the game. Jordan was that guy with a wingspan, 6'6" tall, huge freaking hands, and a 50 inch vertical and maximum quickness.
Nothing you could do even in an era where you smashed anyone who came in the lane. Jordan got smashed, he was also part boxer. Unreal his durability, most guys would be injured all the time and maybe he even was.
His basketball skill sets him apart from the rest. LeBron and Kareem have physical traits that remove them from competition. Kareem develops the sky hook and there is nothing you can do.
Malone develops a fadeaway and there is nothing you can do.
Curry is taught quick release mechanics at 2 years old, extends his range to 45 feet...there is nothing you can do.
LeBron developed a good enough 3 point shot and developed the clutch gene, to answer big shots, and take big 3s down the stretch. Even the concern opens up his bull rush to the lane, which is more Chamberlain than Jordan but its what he is. A hyper-athletic Malone. There is nothing you can do.
His longevity is remarkable. To play the way he does, at that weight, on a hard court. If they get a third guy the warriors will need a complete death star to knock them off.
Like JJ Reddick if the clippers dismantle. Or any elite shooter, or spacer...makes AD/LeBron defensive length and rebounding insurmountable in efficiency and offensive skill.
I agree with whoever said he is like Kareem in that way. At this point his marathon ability is becoming as legendary as his peak performance.
Jordan explained it himself...his competitiveness and drive was actually so extreme he burned out, not once but twice.
Jordan has no claim to the longevity of Lebron or Jabar! They both swear by hot yoga and so do I. Its a good weapon against the modern age as well...for mental focus and peace. If Jordan found hot yoga and settled himself down, he might have added 5 dominant years and there would be no conversation.
Lebron is making a conversation.
To me...I go back and I look what Jordan did to Shaq when he came into the league. Or any perceived threat. I wish the covid special had focused on this more...but Jordan would annihilate any perceived threat. He put them in their place. He brought his best. He destroyed any hope or fantasy they had of competing with him. When Shaq arrived...obviously that 300lb bunny rabbit with 3% body fat and all the laughs would trigger any alpha...and that is when Jordan showed you what he was capable of. Not just for one game, or one series...no...he heard the threat coming. He had a year to train, he went to the gym, he worked on his game, he channelled his desire into his absolute best focus...and that series against Orlando he showed what his peak was. Credit Shaq for bringing out the best Jordan had to give.
Watch that series, and you will see a quickness, a killer instinct, a hounding defensive player, an aerial assault. Its Jordan possessed and he destroys Orlando so bad Shaq leaves first chance he gets. There is no team in history, no player in history, nothing that could have stood up to that experienced, focused, threatened peak Jordan. He took that threat the most serious, and he showed you what he could be. That is why he will always be the best. Had that been a young Lebron he would have gotten smoked, just like any other player that has ever played the game or picked up a basketball. Thats my belief. Walk on that court against that Jordan...and he would have proven himself the greatest to any threat in basketball history. It happened to be Shaq, who has flaws...and it wasn't even a contest. Swept. Maybe Lebron or Magic or peak Kareem, maybe the 6 deep all-star celtics, or the death star Warriors...or some other team could have made him work for it...and that would have been incredible to witness...but what we see there is total annihilation. He was scared, and he didn't just kill...he cut the jugular instantly and then stuck the blade in the femoral, and the spleen. That Jordan on that tape would embarrass anyone.
Look...fucking Draymond Green got under Lebrons skin and bent him out of shape.
The Bulls had a Lebron poison, in Rodman too. I think Pippen could have slowed him down along with Jordan on the prowl, always nearby to strip him, but Rodman would have irritated the **** out of Lebron as well as been long enough to cause issues, and tough enough to actually take a charge. Broken ribs would have been a badge of honor to Rodman.
I haven't seen a Lebron team yet that would have a chance against Jordan/Pippen/Rodman. They are the greatest.
Jordan is the greatest. Lebron might be two.
The guy I would ask is actually Kareem. I think he is the smartest guy in the room. He probably has the best answer.
Mine is
1. Jordan.
2. Lebron
3. Kareem
4. Russell
5. Curry
Any answer people have problems with. Thats mine. Ask Kareem or Magic how flawed it is. If you want to sub out Russell for Magic I would listen to you, but I think its fair to bring up the players that Bird and Magic had with them. Curry might have the best skills on the list. Jordan gets a period because there is no debate.
Once an Asian man was walking through the park with his wife, and he saw me drill a deep three, followed by a 3, and a dunk, and then turn and take three steps to nail a half court shot the other direction. He stopped in his tracks and he started clapping and chanting..."Curry Curry Curry!!!"
The greatest compliment I will ever get in this life.
He changed the game in an extreme way and showed the efficiency of 3 vs 2.
When Lebron beat peak Curry who had as side kick the second best 3-point shooter in the league in Thompson...that cemented for me how truly great and unique he is. His power was so extreme he trumped 3-point efficiency.
Holy shit.
