First Take G.O.A.T Debate.

[esb]

http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/index?page=firsttake


Who played against tougher opponents.

Some of MJ's opponents

Clyde Drexler
Reggie Miller
Mitch Richmond
Latrell Sprewell
Joe Dumars
Steve Smith
John Starks
Jeff Hornacek
Dan Majerle
Kendall Gill
Hersey Hawkins
Jimmy Jackson
Isaiah Rider
Anfernee Harderway (combo)
Reggie Lewis and Drazen Petrovic (passed away)

Some of Lebron's oppenents

Durant
Melo
Pierce
Gay
Deng
Iguodala
Hedo Turkoglu
Granger
G.Wallace
S.Marion
Josh Smith (combo)
Lamar Odom (combo)

[3's set u free]

http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/index?page=firsttake


Who played against tougher opponents.

Some of MJ's opponents

Clyde Drexler
Reggie Miller
Mitch Richmond
Latrell Sprewell
Joe Dumars
Steve Smith
John Starks
Jeff Hornacek
Dan Majerle
Kendall Gill
Hersey Hawkins
Jimmy Jackson
Isaiah Rider
Anfernee Harderway (combo)
Reggie Lewis and Drazen Petrovic (passed away)

Some of Lebrons oppenents

Durant
Melo
Pierce
Gay
Deng
Iguodala
Hedo Turkoglu
Granger
G.Wallace
S.Marion
Josh Smith (combo)
Lamar Odom (combo)

First off, you cant even compare Jordan to Lebron at this point. Lebron still has an incomplete game. Limited post game, non-existant mid range game, and spotty 3 point shooting (although Jordan was spotty as well). Basically Lebron is a hybrid between Jordan and Shaq in terms of how he scores. His best game is just putting his head down and going to the rack. That is not how Jordan played.

The argument about eras is solid as the 90's to me was as watered down as they come. Look at his competition, Joe Dumars was his toughest defender he would have no chance against Lebron, Kobe, Wade, Durant, etc. The best player to match up with Jordan was on his own team, Pippen. So while Jordan is the greatest of all time he had some very favorable matchups and had the absolute perfect sidekick.

[Austeezy]

I myself am wondering about the talent level comparison in the NBA:

80's vs 90's vs 2000's-present

Thread and poll worthy?

[MackSnackWrap]

Artest should also be added to the list

[StarvingKnick22]

Brian Scalabrine and its not even a contest. Every team he was on either went to the Finals or Conference Finals. Also you ever realize how much he looks like Chuck Norris???

But all kidding aside, Lebron had more of the Competition, but MJ proved himself more. I may be making a mistake, but did the op forget Kobe?

[Lakerhead4ever]

Lebron career Is still going. Close thread.

Also Jordan and Lebron are two different players. A better comparison would be mj and Kobe.

[Gritz]

He went against better competition

[IndyRealist]

In '92 Clyde Drexler finished #2 in MVP voting behind MJ and ahead of HOF'ers Barkley, Hakeem, Ewing, Stockton and Malone, Payton, Kemp, etc. Drexler was no slouch, and the only reason he's not more widely regarded is because he was overshadowed by MJ.

Eddie Jones was one of my favorite SG's and headlined the only era I was a fan of the Lakers. There was an appreciation thread not too long ago. Guy was a beast.

And if we're going to include Josh Smith as a direct opponent of Lebron, then we really need to include Bird and Magic as direct opponents of MJ.

And that doesn't even include some of the best shooters of all time in Mitch Richmond, Reggie Miller, and Mark Price.

I hate to be the one to say it but with Deng, Gay, Wallace, Granger and Turkoglu, outside of their respective fanbases no one's going to remember those guys 20 years from now. None of them are even sniffing the HOF. But we all remember John Starks, Steve Smith, and Thunder Dan Marjerle.

[Ezio]

How many of MJ's opponents were in their respective prime, how many of Lebron's opponents were in their primes?

[Heediot]

The argument about eras is solid as the 90's to me was as watered down as they come. Look at his competition, Joe Dumars was his toughest defender he would have no chance against Lebron, Kobe, Wade, Durant, etc. The best player to match up with Jordan was on his own team, Pippen. So while Jordan is the greatest of all time he had some very favorable matchups and had the absolute perfect sidekick.

Wow, Lebron is not a 2 guard. Kobe is an over-rated defender who makes all d teams on rep. He's not great just above average in his prime. Wade is a good defender as well. Durant, same with LeBron a 3. Even so, Durant is solid at best as a defender.

If you want to put in the 3 position, Derrick McKey, Anthony Mason, Rodman (Detroit days), Byron Russell, were good-great defenders.

[JordansBulls]

ABC needs to replace JVG and Mike Breen with Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless.

[naps]

This debate needs to take place 8-10 years from now. We'll have a better picture of LeBron's career by then. If it's just talent-wise then I understand but accomplishment-wise LeBron is nowhere near Jordan yet. Not fair to LeBron to put his name on this debate when he's only 27.

[BKLYNpigeon]

lebron can be better then MJ, but never Greater.

[IndyRealist]

This debate needs to take place 8-10 years from now. We'll have a better picture of LeBron's career by then. If it's just talent-wise then I understand but accomplishment-wise LeBron is nowhere near Jordan yet. Not fair to LeBron to put his name on this debate when he's only 27.

ESPN put Lebron in this debate when he was 18.

[Austeezy]

ESPN put Lebron in this debate when he was 18.

I know, it was disrespectful to basketball