LEBRON JAMES BEATS MICHAEL JORDAN IN SHOWDOWN WITH NBA ‘GRANDFATHER’ AND TURNS HIM INTO GOAT CANDIDATE: “HONEST NUMBERS” (KF)

The Lakers star has a better statistical average of 39 than the Bulls legend at the same age

LAPRESSE

The eternal debate about the NBA’s GOAT has found a new argument for those who hail LeBron James as the best basketball player of all time, surpassing Michael Jordan andKobe Bryant quá cố .

Over the past two decades, the legendary Michael Jordan has topped that honor as the favorite of the majority of fans and analysts thanks to his breakthrough in the NBA in the media, his undeniable talent. of him in doing things which until then had not been witnessed in the world. court, his impact on world basketball and of course, the six championships he won with the Chicago Bulls .

Of course, in terms of achievements, we must mention the legendary Bill Russell , who won 11 NBA championship rings with the Boston Celtics in 13 years. And there is another monster of world basketball, Wilt Chamberlain , who still holds the record for scoring the most points in a match (100 points) and dozens of records that will never be broken. Those were different times.

The legacy of the late Kobe Bryant

Also among the candidates is Kobe Bryant , winner of five championship rings and possibly the player most similar to Michael Jordan . His tragic loss in a helicopter crash in 2020 added to the legendary aura of a unique player.

However, this season many are once again highlighting the rivalry between two giants like Michael Jordan and LeBron James , the latter or third being at odds depending on how you look at it. The Akron giant has won four championship rings, is the top scorer in NBA history (40,446 points) and has achieved countless achievements, but perhaps what is pushing him towards the podium the most is his lifespan.

King James is in his 21st season in the NBA. And at 39, at an age when very few athletes actively participating in sports reach that age, if not the Lakers star continues to deliver a performance. top performance.

LAPRESSE

LeBron has a better average than Jordan at age 39

Objectively, it was at this point that he surpassed his greatest competitor, Michael Jordan . During the just-concluded season, James averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists with remarkable rates (54% from the field, 41% on three-pointers). and 75% free throws).

At age 39, Michael Jordan averaged just under 20 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists with the Washington Wizards , with percentages of 45%ct, 29%t3 and 82%tl) .

LeBron’s decline, if you can call it that, is statistically more epic than ‘Air’ Jordan’s. A light who, according to his statements and his intention to possibly share the team and the dressing room for at least a year with his son Bronny James , seems far from gone, sparking a debate that a A natural competitor like him doesn’t want to lose.

LAPRESSE