Michael Jordan and LeBron James are two of the greatest players in NBA history. The basketball icons have combined to win nine MVPs, 10 championships and 10 NBA Finals MVPs.
Jordan won five MVPs, six titles and six NBA Finals MVPs with the Chicago Bulls in the ’90s, while James is a four-time MVP, a four-time champion and a four-time NBA Finals MVP. He has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers (twice), Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers.
The Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) debate between Jordan and James is one of the most discussed topics in basketball discourse. One of James’ former teammates recently said he’s going with The King over Jordan every time because he thinks James did something twice that Jordan couldn’t do once.
Shane Battier, who won two championships with James in Miami, doesn’t think Jordan could have won two rings with him as his starting power forward.
“LeBron did something twice that Jordan I don’t think could have done once,” Battier said on the YouTube show “Pablo Torre Finds Out.” “He won two NBA titles with Shane Battier as his starting power forward. No way, no way Jordan could have done that.
“As great as Jordan was, LeBron dragged me across the finish line.”
James and Battier helped the Heat win titles in 2012 and 2013. James won back-to-back MVPs and NBA Finals MVPs with Miami.
While Battier is clearly being self-deprecating in his take, he is only half right about being the Heat’s starting forward. He started every game of the 2012 NBA Finals but did not crack the starting lineup in any of the Heat’s 2013 playoff games.
Jordan, who went 6-0 in the NBA Finals, is first in NBA history in points per game in the regular season and postseason. He has also scored the most points (63) in a playoff game.
James, who is 4-6 in the NBA Finals, is first in NBA history in points. He’s the only player ever to rank top five all-time in points and assists.
The GOAT debate between Jordan and James likely will never end, but Battier is going with James because the future Hall of Famer helped him win two rings.
