Why do people actually think Michael Jordan is a better defender than LeBron?

[Jakartheg]

[AI Opinion]

Both Michael Jordan and LeBron James have their unique defensive strengths. Jordan excelled in on-ball defense, showcasing quick reflexes and a relentless approach, leading to many steals throughout his career. LeBron's versatility and ability to guard multiple positions, combined with his size and basketball IQ, make him an exceptional defender. People's preferences might lean towards Jordan due to his aggressive style, but LeBron's adaptability and strategic defense also deserve immense recognition. 🏀

[abc3643]

Because he was. Jordan was vastly better than LeBron. It's sad that you are not old enough to realize that.

Case in point:

"The Cramp Game"

This was Game 1 of 2014 NBA Finals, Miami Heat at San Antonio Spurs.

LeBron couldn't take the heat in San Antonio and, with the score 92 MIA - 94 SAS, Lebron couldn't play in the final 3:59 because of cramps. No one else did. San Antonio then outscores Miami 16-3 winning 95-110.

versus

"The Flu Game"

This was Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals, Chicago Bulls at Utah Jazz.

Michael Jordan entered the game with "(stomach) flu-like symptoms". Jordan was actually deliberately food poisoned the night before by pizza take-out employees (Utah fans) who delivered a pizza they knew was for Jordan. Everyone in America could see how sick he was and would have forgiven him for not playing. Jordan not only played the game, he played the whole game, scored 38 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, a completed 5 assists. The series was tied 2-2, so Game 5 was pivotal. Chicago won that game despite the sabotage to Jordan. They went back to Chicago and won the series, 4-2. They did it again in 1998, although, that year, Utah had the home court advantage.

Championships:

Jordan: 6-0

... and it would have been 8-0, if not more, had he not retired after his father's murder after the first 3-peat and then after the second 3-peat. In 1995-1996, Jordan came back with a vegeance and in his first full season back and the 1995-1996 Bulls established a new record for wins in a regular season going 72-10; they went 15-3 in the playoffs winning the championship - the first of the second 3-peat. (The 2015-2016 Golden State Warriors would go 73-9 breaking the regular season record, but were defeated, 4-3, by LeBron's Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals that year.)

LeBron: 4-6

4 Wins: 2012 (Miami Heat), 2013 (Heat), 2016 (Cleveland Cavaliers), 2020 (Los Angeles Lakers)
6 Losses: 2007 (Cavaliers), 2011 (Heat), 2014 (Heat), 2015 (Cavaliers), 2017 (Cavaliers), 2018 (Cavaliers)

I will give LeBron this: He played in 8 consecutive finals. That said, Jordan would have at least done that if he hadn't retired and tried to play baseball and then Jerry Krause blowing up the Bulls after the 1998 Championship.

Two More Things:

1. At the end of 1998, the Bulls organization was seriously being douchebags primarily due to GM Jerry Krause. He created one of the greatest dynasties in sports history but also tried to destroy it in the end. (Read this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Krause#1997%E2%80%9398_season ) Had that not happened, the Bulls likely would have won more champsionships because they were a well-oiled basketball machine. Jordan was with the Bulls through 1998, but because Krause was going to can Phil Jackson (a very bad move) after that championship, Jordan retired a 2nd time. Jordan would have stayed with that team; he never sought free agency or chased a buck.

Meanwhile, LeBron very obnoxiously on live television said he was going to "take my talents to South Beach". This was a 2010 ESPN special called "The Decision". It took 2 fucking hours to say "Hey, I'm an immature douche and going to leave Cleveland (where I'm from)." Right after that, he was essentially persona non grata with fans burning his jersey in the streets. I can't blame him that he wanted to win championships and so wanted to be part of a super team being created in Miami, but he was also chasing the $ and was traitor to his fans - and home!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Afpgnb_9bA4https://www.youtube.com/embed/ksdHyZfq0XU

Jordan would never do such a classless act. Even James admits "The Decision" was a poor choice.

Amazingly, after getting 2 championships with Miami (and losing one - see Cramp Game), he had the balls to go BACK to Cleveland. At least he won a champsionhip there giving Cleveland SOMETHING to feel good about... BUT THEN HE DUMPED THEM AGAIN!

Jordan wouldn't do such a thing.

2. There's a reason why Michael Jordan was called "Black Jesus". He was arguably the greatest competitor in sports history. And when he says "I took that personally", forget it - you and your are dead. For instance, the 1996-1997 MVP was Karl "The Mailman" Malone (although it should have been Jordan). (The called Karl Malone "The Mailman" because "He delivers.") To Jordan, Karl being MVP and not him was a personal slight - not so much on Karl, but on the NBA itself. So Jordan promptly won the championship in dramatic fashion (see "Flu Game"). I like Karl, but he didn't deserve it; Jordan did as he proved in the Finals... again. Meanwhile, in 1997 Finals Game 1, as Karl Malone was about to shoot two free-throws, Scottie Pippen said: "Just remember, the mailman doesn't deliver on Sundays, Karl." (It was Sunday 01 JUN 1997.) Malone missed both three-throws. Jordan wouldn't be bothered by such a psych. He'd GIVE such a psych and, if he got one or disrespected like that, he'd "take it personally".

Bottomline: Don't fuck with Black Jesus, the greatest competitor in history.

Some videos for your personal edification.

The Flu Game... Watch Pippen carry Jordan off the court.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bpv7wPgoFBM

When Jordan "takes it personally".

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ss5Ndz0tn9o

Reggie Miller on trash talking with Jordan and learning why it's not smart to trash talk "Black Jesus".

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vkks7EqWnhU

And, of course, the mind-blowing "Oh! A spectacular move... by Michael Jordan!"
I saw that in the 1991 Finals and was blown away.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/IiSdb16N_Dg

"I have an obligation to give you my best all the time." - Michael Jordan

In 1995, Jordan gave up baseball and returned and mid-season to the Bulls. The Bulls (the 5 seed) lost in the Eastern Conference Semifinals to Orlando (the 1 seed with Shaq and Penny Hardaway and former Bulls first 3-peat player Horace Grant)), 4-2. Jordan was back working out the next day. Of course, as I mentioned, the Bulls then established a new NBA record going 72-10 in the next regular season and won the Championship after first sweeping Orlando in the East Conference Finals.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/kDah3Fbep6I

==========

I feel bad for you because you are so young.

The Doctor, Jordan, Kobe... these guys dominated their generation. Like me, Jordan looked up to The Doctor - he was the first Black Jesus. And Kobe looked up to Jordan (they became friends and Jordan taught Kobe).

LeBron is a great player, but he's not really in the class of these other guys who were transformative.

[abc3643]

As to specifically defense, I let Google's AI discuss that:

https://share.google/aimode/BhIcsRHA78E3EMEx9

[abc3643]

You should learn about Dennis Rodman who was arguably one of the greatest defensive players in history. He played with Detroit and was a major reason why MJ and the Bulls didn't go to the Finals the two years Detroit won them. Later, he joined the Bulls for the second 3-peat.

[abc3643]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtYM408sicc

[Jakartheg]

ur all over the place lmao this is specifically about defense, and Despite Bron not being a true rim protector his on ball defense allowed him to effectively guard 1-5 even if it’s just neutralizing 5 instead of fully guarding them, and probably one of the best defensive playmakers of all time, and both in Cleveland-Miami they utilized his versatility as a help side anchor, Big Z was a non mobile non rim protecting big and Bosh was an undersized 5 so they utilized Bron as primary rim detterent, it allowed them to use switch schemes because Lebrons on ball is so elite for his size he can cover all gaps, Bron is also a mini KG/draymond esque defender because he doesn’t have roster dependencies to anchor a defense which means he doesn’t have capped abilities to defend multiple actions like the likes of Gobert and Mutumbo to name a few, so he can credibly anchor (led -7 rDRTG in 09, 2.8 dEPM which is similar to the likes of Dwight, Duncan, KG, and Draymond peak for peak, led -5 in both 11 and 12), with ATG switchability and defensive playmaking across all 5 positions without roster dependencies

[Jakartheg]

so overall its Relative O with a clear Defensive gap in favour of bron idc for just talking about moments or accolade glazing i care about who was actually better at the game

[abc3643]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKPM9IO4vZQ

[abc3643]

Jordan is GOAT. Anyone who is a serious basketball fan knows this intuitively. Especially those of us who watched them both.

[Jakartheg]

watched film on both of them and its still bron

[Jakartheg]

this doesn't tell me much of anything lol like I said I rank on basketball as a whole not cool stories or moments this ain't moving me

[Anonymous]

They are confused I guess.