The Jordan vs. LeBron one-on-one debate is a frustrating one because we’ll never be able to definitively know the answer. What we do know for sure, is that history will declare both Jordan and LeBron two of the best players ever, if not the two best players ever. Most fans who were born in the 80’s or earlier will adamantly declare Jordan untouchable, partly because they can make a convincing case for him, and partly because we all crave nostalgia. Childhood idols are untouchable because they set the landscape. Anyone following in their wake are simply lesser versions of the original. Like sequels to a movie.
And it would also be interesting to see if Jordan would be equally as brutal on social media as LeBron. I think social media makes a superstar more available, thus eliminating mystique, making him more human, less superhero. Case in point.
LeBron’s ubiquity in our culture coupled with the negative public opinion that he hand-picks his teams (Jordan did too), could cloud NBA fan’s perception of his greatness. This couldn’t be any more indicative in a recent poll by Public Polling Policy which surveyed 1,471 NBA fans on whether they thought Michael Jordan could beat LeBron James in a game of one-on-one RIGHT NOW. Michael Jordan is 52-years-old, LeBron is 30.
Before I get to the results, let’s compare regular and post-season careers thus far. They are eerily similar. Data taken from Land of Basketball.
Regular season:
Post-season:
Now that we have some stats and Michael Jordan has aged 20 years, here’s what the 1,471 fans surveyed think, according to Public Polling Policy:
“There’s no such division when it comes to who NBA fans think is the best player of all time. 77% pick Michael Jordan on that question to only 14% who think it’s LeBron James. In fact despite his being 52 years old, 34% of NBA fans think Jordan could beat James one on one now- as in the year 2015– to just 54% who think James would win despite being in the prime of his career.“
34%! That’s 500 people. Who should no longer be able to vote on anything, ever again.
Annnnd…
[H/T Complex]