Jordan vs. Lebron - Best of Seven series
 

There's been a lot of Jordan vs. Lebron talk of late. Assuming each player is in his prime, who wins a seven-game, one-on-one series? Poll to come.

Edit:


Playing to 21. Neutral ref on hand to call fouls. Normal three-point line.

You want to specify any other rules?

Jordan 4-0.

/Bayless

I think LeBron's sheer size advantage would give him the edge. They're pretty well matched up in just about everything else...

Playing to 21. Neutral ref on hand to call fouls. Normal three-point line.

90's hand checking or current day hand checking?

Jordans competitiveness is unmatched. No way he loses.

Jordan, 4-1.

Nothing against James, he's an incredible athlete. But he also seems to lack the killer instinct that Jordan brought to every game.

Yeah, it's kind of hard to overstate how much of an edge being bigger gives you in 1-on-1 when both players know what they're doing. Someone like Tyreke Evans could probably beat Steph Curry in straight 1-on-1 by just bullying him to the basket every time. Now you can say "Jordan was so tough and such a competitor!" but a 30+ pound weight advantage is what it is. That's why when people actually do play 1-on-1 in the NBA you're limited to one shot per possession.


This is always a funny thing to bring up because if the 90s hand checking rules were still in place when LeBron James entered the league, they wouldn't have stayed that way for long.

I prefer the 90s NBA, so let's go with that.

this is the kind of stupid filler ESPN would try to pass off as sports news

Thank you. Thank you very much!

I'm in this camp. I think Jordan has a lot of trouble with this. I say LeBron in 6. I understand Jordan's competitiveness and everything, but LeBron isn't backing down either.

I think over time Jordan gets into Lebron's head and breaks him mentally to win in 7.

One on one, Jordan beats LeBron in 4. You can talk about LeBron's size, etc, but Jordan in his prime would not lose. The 'one on one' style plays more to Jordan's strengths than it does LeBron's.

Remember Dr. J versus Kareem in one on one. Size trumped all.

LeBron in six, but only because Jordan is 52 right now.

(Yes, I know it said "prime", but I always think back to the debates over which hitter in baseball was better, some new star or an old favorite, and the grizzled sportswriter who would allow that the new kid was probably better, but 'only because Ty Cobb would be 95 right now.' Love that schtick.)

Lebron with the size advantage, but Jordan in his prime was a dominant defensive stopper with quick hands. Lebron wouldn't just be able to back him down play after play after play to beat him. Both could get shots off anytime they wanted.

Put me in the camp that thinks Jordan would win simply because he would refuse to lose.

That Cobb answer was pretty memorable. :)

If size, the butt-bump and a good short-range fade-away ruled 1-on-1, then we better talk about Charles Barkley. (and now I've referenced Barkley twice this week...)

I read something at one point that I thought summed up LeBron well: He's at his best when he's in constant motion, ready to strike at the right moment. He needs momentum, but once he gets it he's unstoppable.

LeBron in 6. I'm giving Jordan 2 out of respect for his ultra-competitiveness, but I'd think he'd have to shoot from 15 feet out plus almost constantly, where LeBron would be able to get into the paint and score at will.

LeBron has the size, but leBron has a questionable handle.

I am a huge LeBron fan and staunch defender of his but he puts the ball in jeopardy way too frequent, much of which is attributable to his height and high dribble point. Jordan's hand speed would spell turnovers.

I am probably the only person who would say this, this way. But I think MJ wins 1-v-1 though I am not sure LeBron doesnt make a team better than MJ does.

If 90's hand checking is allowed Jordan won't get around a taller and heavier player.