How LeBron James Really Stacks Up Against Michael Jordan

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LeBron James Postgame Interview 6/21/12
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Days following Game 5 of the 2012 NBA Finals, the proverbial elephant in the room was on the tips of everyone's tongues:

"Where does LeBron James stack up against the greatest players of all time?"

For a long time, this question was merely dismissed by many claiming a ring-less LeBron wasn't worthy to be mentioned with the all-time greats. That standpoint is now gone.

There is a general consensus that Michael Jordan holds the title of "greatest of all time."

So where does LeBron stack up against Michael Jordan and how do you compare two careers where one has just hit its stride?

This article will illustrate a year-to-year breakdown of each superstar's achievements and shed light on the topic.

The High School Years

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LeBron

James attended St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio and was a varsity men's basketball starter from day one of his freshman season. He averaged 21 points and six rebounds as a freshman and led his team to a state title.

As a sophomore in high school, LeBron James was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated with his now famous moniker—"The Chosen One"—as the caption. He earned Ohio's Mr. Basketball honors (given as a "state high school MVP" award). Again, he led his team to the state title.

As a junior, James' school did not repeat as state champions; however, he did earn his second straight Mr. Basketball crown and actually appealed the NBA to allow him to declare for the 2002 NBA draft, a year before graduating high school. This was denied.

James' senior year was a media circus. His popularity had sky-rocketed to a point where his games were being nationally televised. The team practices could no longer be contained in their small high school gymnasium and were moved to Akron University. Celebrities, such as Shaq, would frequently attend his regular-season games. James secured a third straight Mr. Basketball title (unprecedented) and a third state title.

Michael Jordan

MJ attended Emsley A. Laney High School in North Carolina and tried out for the varsity men's basketball team as a sophomore. He did not make the team but thrived on the junior varsity squad.

His junior year, MJ made the varsity team and played varsity his senior year as well.

Jordan did not win a state title in high school.

18 Years Old and out of High School

LeBron James

James was the most anticipated draft prospect, possibly ever. Speculation gathered around whether or not the Cleveland Cavaliers had intentionally tanked regular-season games in order to secure the worst record and best chance at drafting LeBron. Intentionally or not, Cleveland did finish in last place and did win the No. 1 pick in the 2003 NBA draft, where they selected LeBron James.

In his rookie season, James averaged 20.9 points, 5.9 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game. James was awarded the 2004 Rookie of the Year award. He also became the youngest player in NBA history to score over 40 points with 41 against the New Jersey Nets.

Michael Jordan

Jordan earned an athletic scholarship to play basketball at the University of North Carolina, where he won a national championship with the Tar Heels.

In his freshman year, Jordan averaged 13.5 points, 1.8 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game.

Year 2

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LeBron James

LeBron continued his impressive dominance in the NBA, averaging 27.2 points, 7.2 assists and 7.4 rebounds per game, setting more records as the youngest player ever to record an NBA triple-double (Jan 19, 2005: 27 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists at Portland) and the youngest player ever named to an All-NBA squad.

James was also selected to play in his first All-Star game, where he had 13 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

Michael Jordan

In his sophomore year at UNC, Jordan averaged 20 points, 1.6 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game

Jordan was named an NCAA All-American.

Year 3

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LeBron James

In his third year in the NBA, LeBron once again added to his legacy, averaging MVP-like numbers (finished second in MVP voting to Steve Nash) with 31.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game. James became the youngest player in NBA history to average over 30 points per game in a single season.

Along with that, James was named to his second All-Star game, where he was awarded the MVP (again, youngest player to ever do so). He led the Cavs to their first playoff appearance since 1998 and recorded a triple-double in his playoff debut with 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, becoming the third player in NBA history to accomplish this.

He was selected to the All-NBA First Team as well.

Michael Jordan

In his junior year, which would end up being his final collegiate year, Jordan averaged 19.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists.

He was also named an NCAA All-American for his second straight year and was named the ACC Player of the Year as well as the Naismith College Player of the Year.

Year 4

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LeBron James

LeBron continued his spectacular play, averaging 27.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and six assists.

He was again selected to the NBA All-Star game, and All-NBA second team.

He led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, where they lost in four games.

Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan declared for the draft one year before his senior year at UNC. He was selected third overall by the Chicago Bulls after Hakeem Olajuwon and Sam Bowie went to Houston and Portland, respectively.

Jordan averaged 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists in his rookie year, in which he won Rookie of the Year. He was also selected to start in his first NBA All-Star game. Jordan was also selected to the second team All-NBA.

Jordan led the Bulls to the NBA playoffs, where they lost in four games to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Year 5

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LeBron James

James recorded another banner year, averaging 30 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.2 assists.

That same year, LeBron made his fourth straight All-Star team, where he earned his second All-Star MVP award. He was named NBA scoring champion for the first time in his career and again was named to the All-NBA First Team.

He led the Cavaliers once again to the playoffs, this time losing to the 2008 champion Boston Celtics and the newly formed "Big 3" in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals in seven games.

Michael Jordan

MJ suffered a down year when he broke his foot and missed 64 games. In the games he did play, he averaged 22.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.

Jordan returned in time for the playoffs and despite scoring a still unbroken record of 63 points against the Celtics in Game 2 of the opening round of the playoffs, the Bulls were again swept.

Year 6

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LeBron James

In 2008-09 LeBron averaged 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists for the season in which he won his first NBA MVP trophy. James became the third player in history to lead his team in all five major statistical categories for a season (points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks).

James tallied another All-Star selection (his fifth) and First Team All-NBA honors (his third). This was also the first year James was named to the NBA All-Defensive team.

James led the Cavs to the playoffs, where they lost in the Eastern Conference finals to the Orlando Magic in six games.

Michael Jordan

Jordan fully rebounded from his down season the year before, averaging 37.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. Jordan won the scoring title that year.

He was named to his third All-Star game and won the slam dunk champion title. He was also selected to the First Team All-NBA for the second time.

Jordan led the Bulls to the playoffs, where they again faced the Celtics and again were swept.

Year 7

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LeBron James

James continued the dominance, averaging 29.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.6 assists on his way to winning his second consecutive league MVP honor.

He added another All-Star game appearance (six), First Team All-NBA selection (four) and First Team All-Defensive selection (two).

James once again led the Cavaliers to the playoffs, where they met the "Big 3" of Boston in the second round and were ousted in six games.

Other notable milestones James achieved: He became the only player since Oscar Robertson to have 40 points, 13 rebounds and 15 assists in a regular-season game and became the youngest player to score 15,000 regular-season points.

Michael Jordan

Jordan continued his scoring dominance, averaging 35 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game, and really had his first breakout award year.

Along with tallying another All-Star appearance (four) and First Team All-NBA selection (three), MJ won the All-Star MVP, was named Defensive Player of the Year, was selected to his first NBA All-Defensive team, earned his second scoring title and was named league MVP first the first time.

Jordan again led his Bulls to the playoffs, where they got out of the first round for the first time, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games (first round was best-of-five back then). He lost to Isiah Thomas and the Detroit Pistons in five games in the second round.

Year 8

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LeBron James

James set the sports world on fire when he decided to leave Cleveland and head for Miami to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Even with the two other superstars beside him, LeBron averaged 26.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and seven assists per game.

James again tallied another All-Star game appearance (seven), a First Team All-NBA selection (five) and an NBA All-Defensive First Team selection (three).

James led the Miami Heat to the NBA Finals the first year of their coming together and lost in a six-game series to the Dallas Mavericks.

Michael Jordan

Jordan had another great year, averaging 32.5 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, winning the NBA scoring title once more (three).

Michael added another All-Star game appearance (five), All-NBA First Team selection (four) and NBA All-Defensive First Team selection (two).

Jordan led his team once again to the playoffs. Once again, they faced the Pistons and were ousted from the playoffs in six games by Thomas and the "Bad Boys."

Year 9

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LeBron James

James continued battling the criticism he faced the last season, averaging 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game, earning him his third MVP trophy.

James also notched another All-Star game appearance (eight), All-NBA First Team selection (six) and NBA All-Defensive First Team selection (four).

Nine years after leaving high school, LeBron James won his first NBA title, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team that was picked as pre-finals favorites in five games. James was also named the finals MVP.

Michael Jordan

Michael continued scoring the basketball better than anyone in the NBA and attained another scoring title (four), averaging 33.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.3 assists.

He added another All-Star game appearance (six), All-NBA First Team selection (five) and NBA All-Defensive First Team selection (three).

Jordan led the Bulls to the playoffs again and for the third straight year, they met up with the Detroit Pistons in the playoffs. Again, Thomas led the "Bad Boys" past the bulls, defeating them in seven games.