First, career statistics. So far in his career, LeBron James is averaging 27.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 7.0 APG and 1.7 SPG. Meanwhile, in Michael Jordan’s career, Jordan averaged 30.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, and 2.3 SPG. If you just look at those numbers the two players look fairly equal, but as you take a deeper look, LeBron’s edge becomes a little clearer.

LeBron James has proven year in and year out that his body is unlike any ever seen. He is a 32 year old beast that plays like he is still in his early 20’s. For his career, James averages around 76 games per year, and yet he still shows no signs of slowing down. Now let’s say that LeBron plays an average of 60 games per year for roughly eight more seasons and we factor in a sharp decline in production where James averages 22 PPG, 5 RPG, 5 APG, and just 1 SPG. How about this, he would finish 2nd all time in points, 7th all time in assists, 44th all time in rebounds, and 5th all time in steals. That is without question the greatest compilation of statistics the NBA has ever seen and he would finish ahead of Jordan in career points, rebounds, assists, and also right behind him in steals.

Not to mention, LeBron shoots a higher percentage from both the two and three point ranges when compared to Jordan, and on top of all of that he is the all time leader in playoff points. Now none of this article is based off of opinion, all of this is statistics, and the stats show that LeBron is a superior player. However, fans of both would agree that stats are not the only determinant for greatness, championships also play a key role too.

Yes, Michael Jordan was 6 for 6 in finals apparances. Yes, LeBron has only 3 championships in 8 career title appearances. Jordan has the edge again on the surface, yet there is more to the argument than that. Lebron James has a better career playoff record than Jordan, and LeBron has also never lost in the first round unlike Jordan. People bash James for losing in the Finals when he should be rewarded for getting there. Jordan reached the Finals 6 of his 15 seasons and LeBron has reached the Finals in 8 of his 14 seasons. You can say that what Jordan did is more impressive, but what should be taken into consideration is the quality of talent each man faced in the Finals.

During his 6 trips to the finals Jordan faced only nine Hall of Famers, while in his eight trips, James has faced 26 current and future Hall of Famers. Without question, LeBron has had the much tougher time. However, that stat does not change the fact that Jordan was a perfect 6 for 6, but what I think it does prove is that you cannot punish LeBron for being 3 for 8 with at least 8 more years to go to try and win more rings.

Lastly, what many people have against LeBron is that it seems like he is always building Superteams and the vast amount of help he supposedly needs to win a championship. These same people do not remember the amount of help that Jordan had. Michael Jordan needed Charles Oakley (Hall of Famer), Dennis Rodman (Hall of Famer), Scottie Pippen (Hall of Famer), Steve Kerr (best 3PT% for a career, ever), and the list goes on and on. Every great star that comes through the NBA needs help to win a championship, and no one ever has or ever will do it by themselves.

It is our job as fans to appreciate greatness when it is right in front of us, and that is what we have been blessed with in LeBron James. He not only can do everything in the game of basketball, but he excels at everything he does. Coming out of high school he was dubbed the “Chosen One” and somehow, he has found a way to exceed our expectations. LeBron James, when his career is all said and done will go down as the greatest basketball player in the history of the NBA and the facts will be there to back it up…