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Michael Jordan Supporters Believe This Wizards/Lakers Comparison Ends MJ, LeBron Discussion

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  • The ‘greatest of all time’ discussion between Michael Jordan and LeBron James is never ending
  • LeBron’s case took a hit with this interesting Wizards/Lakers comparison
  • Read more NBA news here

The discussion of who is the NBA’s greatest player of all time is never ending.

And depending on who you ask, you’ll get one of two options. Those choices are Michael Jordan and LeBron James. And rightfully so.

Jordan is a six-time NBA champion, winning the Finals MVP honor in each of those six title runs. His Chicago Bulls teams were the best of their era and it was largely due to his play on the court.

LeBron, meanwhile, has taken a different route. He’s won four championships with three different teams, building rosters around him at every stop.

Each player ranks among the top five scorers in the history of the sport. Each has the hardware to back their status as potentially the best of all time.

While in their primes, the two were the most dominant athletes of their era. And even with age, both MJ and LeBron were able to continue a high level of play. Both were 35 years old at the time of their last NBA titles.

Jordan retired, briefly, following that 1998 season, which capped a three-peat for the Bulls. He would eventually come back to play for the Wizards at the age of 39. LeBron has continued and is still averaging nearly 30 points a game at age 37.

One late career comparison, though, is showing that Jordan might have the edge in both leadership and impact.

Wizards/Lakers Comparison Ends GOAT Discussion

NBA sportswriter Bill Simmons dug deep to find this Wizards/Lakers comparison which shows the two teams’ records through 65 games. This is the 2001-02 Washington team, with Jordan making his return at the age of 39.

The Wizards hold a slight two-game lead over Los Angeles to this point.

What’s the difference?

LA entered the year with championship expectations. LeBron handpicked the duo of Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook to join him. Los Angeles is just a season removed from a title. Now, they’re fighting for their playoff lives with some of the same pieces still in place.

Washington, meanwhile, was in shambles before MJ arrived. The team went 19-63 the year before his joining the roster but made an 18-game improvement. Jordan didn’t bring anyone along with him. He was the only new addition to a lineup that finished nearly 45 games below .500.

Making things even more impressive, Jordan battled injuries for most of the year. Despite knee troubles, MJ averaged 24.3 points per game in his 53 starts and was an MVP candidate before having to sit out the final portion of the year. He incredibly led the team in scoring in his first season out of retirement.

Fans React To Latest MJ, LeBron Comparison

As expected, the stat created a ton of buzz on social media. Most believe it ends the case as to who is the greatest player of all time.

https://twitter.com/peytonmort/status/1501820558480130048

https://twitter.com/DT1520/status/1501898430100041734

https://twitter.com/burner45679/status/1501930436611690499