This is your boy, the Kid, Sin City General Rally Vegas here to chop it up about two of the greatest basketball players of all time. My young co-worker Brady — he's 20 — and I are always debating who the true GOAT is. Giving respect where respect is due, both Michael Jordan and LeBron James are extraordinary athletes. But speaking as a Knicks fan since birth in 1972, I come from a different era.
A Different Era
The era I grew up on, you weren't allowed to take as many threes as they do today. You couldn't drive to the hole without getting low-bridged or taking an elbow to the midsection. Back in the day, you had 6 fouls and everyone used them all. Greatest example: Hack-a-Shaq. Send him to the line because that was his weakness. Brutal defense, hand-checking, and hard fouls is what I grew up watching.
Today's game has a faster pace, more spacing, and way less physical contact. It is what it is. Back in the day you weren't scoring easily against defenders like Gary Payton, Joe Dumars, Reggie Miller, Dennis Rodman. Every little step you took, they were right there with you. And in the paint? You had to go through Shaq, Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson. That is what you had to deal with driving to the hole. Sorry LeBron, it was a different era.
The Numbers
Let's go to the proof in the pudding.
Off the rip: Michael Jordan's net worth is estimated around $3.2 billion, built in large part on his sneaker empire with 37 main signature models and over 200 distinct limited editions. He sold his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets in 2023 but remains a minority owner. LeBron James is the NBA's only active billionaire player, with a net worth around $1.2 billion. As we say where I'm from — C.R.E.A.M., Cash Rules Everything Around Me.
Statistically, I'll give LeBron his flowers for LONGEVITY. Twenty-three seasons and counting, heading into his 24th. He has mastered the pace-and-space era. It may not be the explosive versatility of his younger years, but you can't knock the endurance.
Still:
• Championships: Jordan 6, James 4 • Regular Season Win %: Jordan 65%, James 61% • Playoff Win %: Jordan 66%, James 63% • Finals Record: Jordan 6-0, James 4-6 • Finals MVPs: Jordan 6, James 4 • Games Played: James has 500+ more than Jordan
That's as simple as it gets.
Peak Dominance vs. Longevity
For me, peak dominance wins over longevity. MJ retired and came back TWICE.
Team construction matters too. Michael Jordan had a dynasty built around chemistry and continuity. All six rings came with the team that drafted him in Chicago. He made everyone around him greater.
My classic example: Larry Bird would have never asked to be traded to the Lakers to win a ring with Magic Johnson. And vice versa. That would never happen in a million years. That's called pride, loyalty, respect, and determination to succeed.
LeBron's four titles required building new super-teams. He couldn't get it done in Cleveland from 2003-2010. He went to Miami with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to win back-to-back in 2012 and 2013. Then back to Cleveland with Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith, and Kevin Love. Then to L.A. in 2020 with Anthony Davis and Rajon Rondo.
I would have had even more respect if he had stayed in Cleveland and elevated everyone around him to win his titles with one true home.
Final Word
Beat it, kid! I'm not going to continue this argument because the NBA is different now. Respect is due where it is due. I respect LeBron — at least he got his son a job where he works. Not a lot of us can do that. So God bless LeBron and Bronny to the fullest, but y'all will never be like that 80's and 90's basketball. After the 2000s the NBA got soft and it'll never be the same.
Done. Done. DONE!
The Kid, Rally Vegas - Sin City General