Michael Jordan and LeBron James : 2 Eras, 1 Legacy

Michael Jordan. LeBron James. Who is better?

You can decide on that. Maybe it doesn't matter who is better. Maybe we would know who is better if they played against each other a lot. But Jordan played from 1984-2003 and James have been playing since 2003 and still is playing today. Michael Jordan drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the first round and being the number 3 draft pick in the 1984 NBA draft, took 7 years to win his first championship with the Chicago Bulls and overall won 6 championships (All with the Chicago Bulls). Lebron James drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round and the number 1 draft pick in the 2003 NBA draft, took 9 years to win his first championship with the Miami Heat and overall winning 4 championships (2 with the Miami Heat,1 with the Cleveland Cavaliers and 1 with the Los Angeles Lakers). Michael Jordan last game with the Chicago Bulls was June 14, 1998. A legacy and a dynasty (two separate three-peats) most likely will never be duplicated ever again. Michael Jordan last game in the NBA playing with the Washington Wizards was April 16, 2003. A legend that will never be duplicated. Lebron James is probably going to retire very soon and it's going to be sad when that day happens. Winning 4 championships with 3 different teams is not easy. Jordan and James both wear number 23, with Nike and had a Space Jam movie!

The pressure to overcome Isiah Thomas and the Detroit Pistons, from 1988-1991, was one of the hardest challenges in Michael Jordan career. Also, Michael Jordan had a tough time against Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics, never overcoming the Celtics, going 0-6 in the 1986 and 1987 playoffs. Winning his first championship against Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers in 1991, winning his second championship against Clyde Drexler and the Portland Trail Blazers in 1992, winning his third championship against Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns in 1993 for the first three-peat. Winning his fourth championship against Gary Payton and the then Seattle Supersonics (Now the Oklahoma City Thunder) in 1996, winning his fifth and sixth championship against John Stockton/Karl Malone in 1997 and 1998 for the second three-peat is really impressive!

The pressure coming out of high school as a 18 year old and living up to the hype is one of the hardest challenges in Lebron James career. Also, winning a championship for the Cleveland Cavaliers, their first championship. Losing in his first NBA Finals against Tim Duncan/Tony Parker and the San Antonio Spurs in 2007, losing his 2nd NBA Finals against Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks in 2011. Finally winning his first championship in his career with the Miami Heat in his third NBA finals against Kevin Durant/Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2012, winning back-to-back championships with the Miami Heat and second championship in his career, his fourth NBA Finals against Tim Duncan/Kawhi Leonard and the San Antonio Spurs in 2013, losing against Tim Duncan/Kawhi Leonard and the San Antonio Spurs in his fifth NBA finals and last season with the Miami Heat in 2014. Losing against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in 2015 in his 6th NBA Finals, finally winning a championship in Cleveland, the first championship in Cleveland Cavaliers franchise history, his third championship and seventh NBA finals against Stephen Curry/Klay Thompson and the Golden State Warriors in 2016, losing two consecutive years against Stephen Curry/Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors in 2017/2018. His eighth/ninth and remarkable eighth consecutive NBA Finals. LeBron leaves the Cavaliers for the 2nd time. Winning his fourth championship, first with the Los Angeles Lakers, and tenth NBA Finals against Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat in 2020. LeBron used to play with Miami.

Michael Jordan 6-0 in the NBA Finals, 2 three-peats, 6 championships.

LeBron James 4-6 in the NBA Finals, 8 consecutive NBA Finals, 4 championships.

Knowing all this? I appreciate what Michael Jordan & LeBron James did. There will never be another Jordan and there will never be another LeBron.