GOAT - Jordan vs LeBron

I do not normally write blogs about sports that do not tie into either recovery or my faith in one way or another. This blog will take a look at common sense, and nothing else. There are many who argue Jordan and others who argue LeBron as the G.O.A.T. ie Greatest of all Time at his sport. Here is a small list of accomplishments that Jordan has and which make him in my opinion and in many categories the greatest of all time:

1. Won the NCAA Championship
2. Naismith NCAA Player of the Year
3. Jordan's Bulls NEVER MISSED THE PLAYOFFS.............EVER (that means even as a rookie)
4. Rookie of the Year
5. Led the NBA in Scoring 10 times
6. Led the NBA in Steals 3 times
7. Scored 40 points 212 games
8. Scored 50 points 39 games
9. Scored 60 points 5 game
10. Broke 40 in a game at the age of 40
11. Failed to score double digits only one time as a Bull
12. 5 of the top 10 scoring games of all time
13. As a rookie led his team in scoring, steals, rebounds and assists for the season
14. Only player to lead the NBA in scoring and win defensive player of the year
15. First player in the NBA to lead the league in scoring and steals
16. Holds 6 of the top 10 highest playoff series scoring averages
17. Went to the NBA Finals 6 times
18. Never lost an NBA Final
19. Was the NBA Finals MVP everytime he played in it
20. 5 Time NBA Player of the Year
21. 2 Time Winner of the Olympic Gold Medal
22. 9 All-Defensive First Team Selections
23. 14 Time NBA All Star
24. Won the Slam Dunk contest twice
25. Put up 38 points in a playoff game WHILE HAVING THE FLU AND BEING GIVEN FLUIDS FOR DEHYDRATION

Jordan had one thing that many other players do not. He had the will to finish games and when it was the big stage, he played even better. He averaged more points, blocks, assists and rebounds in the playoffs than he did during the regular season. He played with a desire that was unparalleled, and could put a team on his back and run with it. He never disappeared during the playoffs, averaging almost 3 and a half points more a game in the playoffs than the regular season. If the game is on the line, and it is the last play in game 7 of the finals there is no one better than MJ, period.

Comparisons of MJ, LeBron and Kobie at 28 show us that Jordan scores almost 5 more points per game, one more steal per game while the blocks are about even with LeBron. Lebron averages one more assist per game and one more rebound per game than MJ. Kobe is not even close, as LeBron is ahead of Kobe in every category we just mentioned. LeBron is better than Kobe, MJ better than LeBron.

That said, LeBron is a beast and he will continue to get better. I may be prejudiced, since I grew up in Illinois during the Jordan era and was at a game where he put up 50 but so far I choose Jordan based on his statistics and the sheer willpower he brought to win the game.