Lebron vs Jordan

"I'm not MJ, I'm LJ" - Lebron James (@KingJames)

If you're a basketball fan then you know this is a historic week in the NBA.  Michael Jordan the greatest player who ever lived turns half a century this upcoming Sunday.  All week ESPN will be showing his career highlights as we reminisce about allow his greatness.  As he celebrates his historic birthday  and contemplates a possible comeback at 50, I wonder if anyone will overtake him as the greatest to ever play.  Current NBA superstar Lebron James is having a historic week himself.  He has scored 30 points or more and shot 60 percent or better in six consecutive games, which is an NBA record. He has an NBA championship, Finals MVP, 3 regular season MVP awards, numerous All-NBA and All Star nods.  At 28 he is only getting better, improving his shooting efficiency and rebounding at a higher rate.  So I pose the question is: will Lebron overtake Jordan as the greatest player in NBA history?  According to my calculations Lebron is currently ranked number 15 on greatest player of all time rankings. Unless he suffers a career ending injury he is only going to rise in ranking.  According to ESPN First Take host Skip Bayless Lebron will need 7 NBA Championships 7 Finals MVP's  and 6 NBA regular season MVP's to eclipse Jordan.  If we're using these stats as a metric then lets break down the probability of Lebron achieving these milestones.

I think Lebron will NOT win 6 more championships.  With Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and an excellent three point shooting supporting cast they have talent to contend for the next three or four seasons.  But there are young teams out West like the Los Angeles Clippers and more importantly the Oklahoma City Thunder with championship admirations and the talent to get the job done.  Kevin Durant, Westbrook and company have the talent to overtake the Heat in a possible NBA finals.  I think they will overtake the Heat if not this year then definitely next year.  Another problem stopping Miami from obtaining seven rings is the same thing that got them there current team, free agency.  Superstar players are leaving the teams that drafted them and are bolting to larger markets that have the financial flexibility to  create championship contending teams for years to come.  Lebron James, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and soon probably Kevin Love.  With super teams being established overnight it will be harder for Miami to dominate the NBA.

I think Lebron will win two more championships over the next four years and possibly one in the back end of his career.  That would give him four championships for his career .  As far as the regular season MVP awards I believe Lebron will win three or four more MVP awards.  He is arguably the best player in basketball posting an efficiency rating of close to 32 but,  Kevin Durant is closing the gap between number 1 and 2 and OKC currently has more wins than the Heat.  I don't expect Lebron's production to magically fall off but Durant possesses something that Lebron lacks.  A clutch gene or closer ability.  While Lebron is criticized for deferring down the stretch, Durant amazes us by hitting clutch shots over defenders.  Other players like Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving are getting better every year and will create stronger competion for the MVP award but ultimately Lebron gets 3 in the next six years.  That would give him 6 for his career tying Kareem Abdul Jabar for most all time.  Lastly as the undisputed leader of the Miami Heat, I think Lebron will be the MVP of all the finals of all the future NBA titles the Heat win.

Overall I think Lebron will retire with 4 NBA championships, 6 regular season MVP awards, 4 Finals MVP awards. With these accomplishments I think he will be undoubtedly a top five player all time. The only knock on his legacy will be the fact that he has already lost two NBA Finals and will probably loose another by the time he retires number 6.  Furthermore he was unable to bring his original team the Cleveland Cavilers a title in the seven years he was there.  Something that Jordan did in his seventh season with the Bulls.  Lastly  Lebron will probably never be the closer that Jordan was. The ability to hit clutch shots to win your team playoff series and NBA Championships is something the basketball fans salivate over. Not to take anything away from King James he is a force this league has never seen; his strength and athleticism are unmatched.   His ability to score, rebound and assist is as unique as the efficiency he is able to accomplish this feat with.

-Antonio King (guest writer for dunksdimesdribble.blogspot.com)