The Michael Jordan versus LeBron James GOAT discussion is arguably the most popular debate among basketball enthusiasts. Nearly everyone who has watched the sport has their own take.
Jordan is still widely regarded the greatest to ever put on a pair of basketball sneakers. But to some people, James has done enough to surpass His Airness in the conversation.
One prominent NBA figure who recently took part in the MJ vs. LeBron debate is Mark Cuban.
Having been involved with the Dallas Mavericks for over two decades, Cuban has essentially witnessed LeBron James’ entire NBA career. Heck, he even saw James go up against his Mavs in the NBA Finals. As for Jordan, Cuban wasn’t in the NBA during the height of MJ’s career in the 1990s. But he did try (but fail) to recruit him to Dallas right before MJ’s side quests with the Washington Wizards in the early 2000s.
Given his unique perspective of competing against LeBron while also admiring Jordan from afar, Cuban has a valid opinion on the debate. He understands what it’s like to game plan for James in the NBA Finals, while also respecting His Airness’ mythical aura.
Mark Cuban Breaks Down Difference Between Michael Jordan and LeBron James
Cuban is never shy about offering his unfiltered takes on the NBA. As one of the more involved owners in the league, the billionaire executive can talk about anything under the sun about basketball, whether it be about the more serious business side of the game, or fun barbershop conversations like this.
Cuban recently appeared on Gilbert Arenas’ podcast, Gil’s Arena, where he broke down the difference between Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
MJ vs. LeBron, they’re completely different players. You can’t even really compare them. If you have a good team and you need a killer, you go MJ. If you have a team that’s good. And you want them to be better and has the team get to the Finals, you get LeBron. MJ is not going lift up a bad team, LeBron can.
Cuban didn’t particularly pick a side, but his distinction was quite clear.
Who would I rather have the last shot? MJ. Who’s going to help your team get better? LeBron.
Michael Jordan’s Killer Instinct
Jordan’s killer instinct is well-documented. What many consider his greatest feat was going 6-0 in the NBA Finals. On top of that, none of his championship wins went to a Game 7.
Likewise, MJ was also the ultimate clutch performer. The five-time MVP has the most game-winning buzzer beaters in NBA history with nine, six of which happened in the regular season. His three playoff buzzer-beaters are just second to LeBron James, who currently has five in his postseason career.
The Chicago Bulls superstar also delivered some of the most iconic clutch moments and games in NBA history. Perhaps the most memorable was the “Last Shot” he hit in Game 6 of the 1998 Finals to clinch the Bulls’ second three-peat and their sixth title in the decade. While everybody remembers the game-winner, his similarly clutch steal on the prior possession was just as vital.
The man simply struck fear in his opponents and their fans whenever he had the ball late. Rewatching the final moments of Game 6, you can clearly hear the Utah crowd groan in unison as Jordan set up for the shot, almost as if they already knew what was going to happen.
LeBron’s Ability to Elevate His Team
Meanwhile, as Cuban pointed out, nobody was able to elevate his team more than LeBron James has.
In just his fourth season, James carried a subpar Cleveland Cavaliers roster all the way to the 2007 NBA Finals. 11 years later, in 2018, he pulled off a similar feat — dragging another underwhelming Cavaliers squad through the Eastern Conference playoffs with one of the most dominant postseason runs of his career.
The four-time NBA champion’s ability to raise the level of those around him has always been his calling card. His presence alone has consistently turned average rosters into championship contenders. Whether it’s finding an open man or putting others around him in the best positions to succeed, LeBron has shown an unmatched ability to elevate everyone around him.
James’ longevity is what ultimately has set him apart. Nobody in NBA history, not even Jordan, has been able to maintain this elite level of play for over two decades. The soon-to-be 41-year-old is about to enter Year 23, yet he is still regarded as one of the best players in the NBA today.
Pick Your Poison
At the end of the day, people will have their own opinions on the Jordan vs. LeBron GOAT conversation — and that’s what makes these debates fun.
But as Cuban said, it is difficult to compare the two icons since they played in different eras and had such different playing styles.
What’s undeniable, though, is that Cuban’s framing sums it up perfectly: Jordan is the ultimate killer, while LeBron is the ultimate elevator. And maybe that’s why the debate will never end.