The great debate rages on, but it's closer today than others would think. Jordan or James? His Airness or The King? Who is the greatest basketball player of all time? Title wise, it is a no brainer with Jordan in the lead and will be for the immediate future. But if you compare the stat line for each player, the margin of difference is much slimmer. Former Detroit Piston bad boy and Bulls adversary Bill Laimbeer says even though today's game is much different from his and Jordan's era, he would take LeBron over MJ in their prime.
Laimbeer was part of the feared Detroit Pistons bad boy squad of the late '80s and early 90s that played in the same division as the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls. Laimbeer's Pistons won two titles, while Jordan was at the beginning of his prime. Laimbeer knows firsthand the abilities of one of the NBA's greatest, and he tells the Chicago Sun Times he would rather have James than Jordan in their prime:
"There's no question I would take LeBron James. He can do more. Michael Jordan could score and make big shots and look spectacular at times with wild flying dunks, but LeBron can get you 18 rebounds, get you 15 assists or score 50 if he wants to. The triple threat the he poses is just phenomenal, and the size-he just physically dominates. It's impressive."
James is proving this to be true during the Cleveland Cavilers recent run to the NBA Finals. USA Today Sports has the stats to illustrate Laimbeer's thoughts and how historic this stretch has been:
"LeBron James is averaging 27.6 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 8.3 apg so far in the 2015 playoffs. Only one other player has matched the 27-10-8 in the postseason in the last 50 years: Oscar Robertson in 1963."
Do you agree with Laimbeer in taking LeBron James over Michael Jordan? Will LeBron continue that incredible stat line throughout the Finals? Tell us your thoughts below.
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