The Tale of The Goat vs. The King

Michael Jordan’s 10-part documentary series “The Last Dance’ has been a lot more entertaining than many expected. The Bulls truly created basketballs greatest dynasty and won 3 consecutive championships, twice! The documentary sheds light on the many different and colorful personalities on the 97-98 Bulls team. While it’s clear that these players complimented each other perfectly during regulation, it was a different story after the buzzer sounded. In fact, these personalities often clashed especially in the heat of extremely competitive and intense practices led by the man known as the greatest of all time.

As a 27-year-old I’m not ashamed to admit that due to my age and lack of interest in the sport as a toddler, I missed this golden age of basketball. So besides what I saw on YouTube and the occasional ‘hardwood classic’ game on NBA TV I had no first-hand memories of just how good and competitive Michael Jordan was. However, I heard at nauseam, via my Father how much MJ torched the NBA during the 90’s especially my hometown Knicks. So, I really appreciate this Documentary, it’s good to get a behind the scenes look at the 90’s Bulls. But even after seeing Charles Oakley slap fire out of a rookie Scottie Pippen, one of the most interesting things about the documentary so far is the time at which Michael Jordan gave the green light for it. As many already know it was shortly after LeBron James won his 2016 title with the Cavilers.

It’s human nature to compare two legends in the same field, and while I respect the “It doesn’t matter who was better, they’re both great” argument, I can’t help but compare Michael Jordan to LeBron. I grew up during the LeBron reign, and it was like nothing anyone had ever seen. The kid was being crowned “King”’ before he even got to the NBA, and to actually get there and prove it under that immense pressure takes a different kind of athlete.

When it comes to the LeBron vs MJ debate I think the greatest basketball player has to be Michael Jordan because of his finals record and dominance. However, a great argument can be made for LeBron James as well. LeBron has already passed Michael Jordan in points scored, not to mention he holds the All-Time record for points scored in the playoffs. Approximately 1000 more than second place Michael Jordan; Which is Important because If Drew Bree’s won 2 more tittles to equal 3 to Tom Brady’s 6, and threw 20 more playoff touchdowns, the NFL GOAT conversation may not be so clear either. Also, one can argue with the prolific scorers in today’s NBA it’s hard to imagine MJ winning 10 scoring titles. Both players have changed the game in their own right during their era, but putting titles aside it’s important to ask, who has done more for the game?

LeBron has become a Superhero like figure.

LeBron constantly sets a great example for his fellow players by the way he conducts himself on and off the court. He knows that he’s the most popular NBA basketball player in the World but he doesn’t let that stop him from standing up for what’s right when it comes to Social Issues and Activism. When Eric Garner was murdered in NYC by police officers over cigarettes, LeBron was one of the first athletes across all leagues to wear “I can’t Breathe” t-shirts before an NBA game in solidarity with the Garner family. LeBron constantly voiced his opinion in support of Colin Kaepernick when he decided to protest the national anthem due to police violence, when many others wouldn’t. James has showed he isn’t afraid to speak his mind, and that angers a lot of people. Most noticeably Fox News Commentator Laura Ingram, who told the Superstar to “Shut-up and dribble” on national TV after LeBron voiced very legitimate concerns about President Trump. And while Michael Jordan is also a philanthropist, LeBron James started a foundation that pledged 41 Million dollars to send 1,100 kids on “full rides” to college. Not to mention his recently started “I–Promise” elementary school for at risk students in Ohio.

This debate will probably go on forever but the story of LeBron James isn’t over yet either. Now In his 17^TH Year his Lakers were one of the top-2 teams in the NBA before the Covid-19 shutdown. How would things sway if LeBron won 1 or 2 more titles?

Shout-out to “The Last Dance” documentary though, great stuff!