Michael Jordan was asked about comparisons between himself and LeBron James. While his answer might not have been exciting, it did make a good point.
Michael Jordan weighs in on the 🐐 debate. pic.twitter.com/ZiKkeAoCmU
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 24, 2020
“We play in different eras,” Jordan said at an NBA press conference in Paris, France. “He’s an unbelievable player. He’s one of the best players in the world, if not the best player in the world. I know it’s a natural tendency to compare eras to eras, and it’s going to continue to happen. I’m a fan of his, I love watching him play.”
“I think he’s made his mark,” His Airness continued. “But when you start the comparisons, I think it is what it is. It’s just a stand-up measurement. I take it with a grain of salt. He is a heck of a basketball player without a doubt.”
Although debates over historical greatness will never go away, Jordan’s response can provide some perspective. While it’s perfectly acceptable to break down the stats and delve into hypotheticals, we shouldn’t miss the forest through the trees. Michael Jordan was great, LeBron James is great, and plenty more players will be great. That reality isn’t mutually exclusive.
