Regarding Jordan vs. Lebron or any of that -- different eras, different ways to play the game.
Here's the thing though -- if you watched Jordan, he was able to play three different positions on the court. PG, SG, SF. And he did, regularly.
James can play all FIVE.
However, Jordan is clearly the better defender, in an era where defense was prominent. In addition, Jordan was a better pure scorer, worked himself into a better shooter (by the end he was deadly). James is not a reliable shooter, and he's not a pure scorer. Jordan was also a GREAT passer. But he preferred to score. In fact, he was a better passer, IMO, than James.
James is bigger, and because he can play all five positions in today's NBA (back if he played then, he couldn't be a center), he's a better rebounder than Jordan.
There's no denying just how great Lebron James is. He is an all-time, top-10, perhaps top-5 player in NBA history. Of that there is absolutely no doubt.
But he's not near Jordan...in the slightest. James' numbers may get high, but that's going to be because of longevity. James is going to play at a high level for at least another five, six years. He's conditioned himself to do that. And I firmly believe he'll win another couple of titles -- just not with Cleveland, and not as the primary option.
But make no mistake -- King James is one of the most talented players to ever step foot on an NBA court, and is an all-time great. But the comparisons to Jordan need to stop. The comparisons to Magic need to stop. James is who he is, for his era. In his era, he's the best. But once you stack him alongside the guys that transcended the game, you see he's not quite there. Even James himself knows it. He's trying to get the numbers and rings to make himself feel like he did all that. But he still has a way to go.
For my money:
Jordan
Wilt (most dominant)
Magic
Dr. J
Shaq
Bird
Kobe
James
Gervin
Baylor
>>>>That's obviously my top-10, and is completely subjective. James is in there at #8, and still has a lot to go in his career. If he had a great finish after this season, I could see him getting up to #4, which is, pretty damn impressive.
Anyway, James is incredible. But he's not quite near the top of the mountain. Even if the Cavs win tonight, they aren't coming back from 3-0. The Warriors are almost toying with them. Durant -- Durant has a long way to go, to get to James' level. Durant hasn't won a thing, and I think really needs to come up in big moments to be near Lebron.