Michael Jordan and LeBron James both played in the NBA until they were 39 – here’s who was better
LeBron James will never be able to match Michael Jordan’s perfect 6-0 record in the NBA Finals. MJ will never be able to play 22 seasons in The Association, or play on the Los Angeles Lakers with his son. GettyLeBron James is defying time but not getting closer to another NBA championship[/caption] But for all the endless debate about who was better, Jordan or James, there are striking similarities between the two hardwood legends — especially at the twilight of their careers. Air Jordan retired three times from the NBA: Once to play Minor League Baseball, a second time to leave the Chicago Bulls, and a final retirement with the Washington Wizards in 2003. “Basketball has been my life,” Jordan said. “No way you would ever have come in contact with me without the game of basketball. No way would I have been in contact with a lot of other people without the game of basketball. “It gave me an outlet. It gave me a chance to experience life all over the world, not just here in the (United) States.” When Jordan spoke those words, he was 40-years-old and becoming worn down as a basketball player. James will turn 40 on December 30, just before 2024 rings in a new year and becomes 2025. Right now, The King is a 39-year-old leader of the Los Angeles Lakers, who began Sunday with a 5-4 record and had already been called out by rookie head coach JJ Redick. “LeBron was fantastic,” said Redick, after James scored 39 points on 15-for-24 shooting. “He played hard. Almost 40 years old and played the hardest on our team. It says a lot about him.” GettyMichael Jordan was still an imposing force as he turned 40 on the court[/caption] GettyMJ became a teacher during his final run with the Wizards[/caption] GettyLike Jordan, James can still score 39 points while being 39-years-old[/caption] While James has referred to himself as the GOAT, the debate normally tips toward Jordan. He never lost in the Finals. He never joined a super team just to win a championship. And while James is the NBA‘s all-time scoring leader, Jordan’s 30.1 career scoring average, five NBA MVPs and nine All-Defensive Team selections highlight his legendary intensity. The King’s clear edge is his unparalleled longevity. At 39, he’s better and more dominant than Jordan was at the same age. But the numbers are closer than one might think. Jordan began his final NBA season at 39, then turned 40 on February 17 in 2003. He scored 39 points on 13-of-22 shooting at Madison Square Garden just 20 days later. And as Jordan watched his 39th year evolve into the big 40, he averaged a strong 20 points with 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals in 82 games (67 starts). While the Wizards finished 37-45 under Doug Collins and failed to make the playoffs, Jordan shot 44.5 percent from the field and 82.1 percent from the line. GettyJordan retired three times from the NBA[/caption] His numbers were far below his career averages. But Jordan was an All-Star with Washington in his final season and received a three-minute standing ovation at his last NBA game. “It hits me that I am not going to be in a uniform anymore, and that’s not a terrible feeling,” Jordan said. “It’s not terrible. It’s something that I have come to grips with and it’s time.” “I think the fans here were superb in the way that they treated him,” Philadelphia’s Allen Iverson added. James has hinted at retirement multiple times. The King’s longevity separates him when compared to Air JordanGetty Images - Getty But, like Jordan, he can still score 39 points. At age 39, The King is far better, though. James was 15-of-24 from the field in the Lakers’ recent 131-114 road loss to Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies, adding seven rebounds, six assists and six made 3-pointers. Early into a season that will see him turn 40, James is blowing Jordan away on the hardwood. The King is topping Jordan in scoring, rebounds, assists and field goal percentage. While Jordan had the 39-year-old edge in steals (2.3 for MJ and only 0.6 for James), almost ever other key stat leans in The King’s favor. To many, Jordan will always be the GOAT. Approaching 40, James has Jordan beat when it comes to Father Time. He also recently won another gold medal with Team USA during the Paris Summer Olympics. James just isn’t 6-0 in the Finals, and likely will never catch Jordan when it comes to all-defining championship rings. MJ’s biggest competitor in NBA history is an uneven 4-6 in the Finals. “We play in different eras,” Jordan said in 2020. “He’s an unbelievable player.”
LeBron James will never be able to match Michael Jordan’s perfect 6-0 record in the NBA Finals.
MJ will never be able to play 22 seasons in The Association, or play on the Los Angeles Lakers with his son.
But for all the endless debate about who was better, Jordan or James, there are striking similarities between the two hardwood legends — especially at the twilight of their careers.
Air Jordan retired three times from the NBA: Once to play Minor League Baseball, a second time to leave the Chicago Bulls, and a final retirement with the Washington Wizards in 2003.
“Basketball has been my life,” Jordan said.
“No way you would ever have come in contact with me without the game of basketball. No way would I have been in contact with a lot of other people without the game of basketball.
“It gave me an outlet. It gave me a chance to experience life all over the world, not just here in the (United) States.”
When Jordan spoke those words, he was 40-years-old and becoming worn down as a basketball player.
James will turn 40 on December 30, just before 2024 rings in a new year and becomes 2025.
Right now, The King is a 39-year-old leader of the Los Angeles Lakers, who began Sunday with a 5-4 record and had already been called out by rookie head coach JJ Redick.
“LeBron was fantastic,” said Redick, after James scored 39 points on 15-for-24 shooting.
“He played hard. Almost 40 years old and played the hardest on our team. It says a lot about him.”
While James has referred to himself as the GOAT, the debate normally tips toward Jordan.
He never lost in the Finals.
He never joined a super team just to win a championship.
And while James is the NBA‘s all-time scoring leader, Jordan’s 30.1 career scoring average, five NBA MVPs and nine All-Defensive Team selections highlight his legendary intensity.
The King’s clear edge is his unparalleled longevity.
At 39, he’s better and more dominant than Jordan was at the same age.
But the numbers are closer than one might think.
Jordan began his final NBA season at 39, then turned 40 on February 17 in 2003.
He scored 39 points on 13-of-22 shooting at Madison Square Garden just 20 days later.
And as Jordan watched his 39th year evolve into the big 40, he averaged a strong 20 points with 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals in 82 games (67 starts).
While the Wizards finished 37-45 under Doug Collins and failed to make the playoffs, Jordan shot 44.5 percent from the field and 82.1 percent from the line.
His numbers were far below his career averages.
But Jordan was an All-Star with Washington in his final season and received a three-minute standing ovation at his last NBA game.
“It hits me that I am not going to be in a uniform anymore, and that’s not a terrible feeling,” Jordan said.
“It’s not terrible. It’s something that I have come to grips with and it’s time.”
“I think the fans here were superb in the way that they treated him,” Philadelphia’s Allen Iverson added.
James has hinted at retirement multiple times.
But, like Jordan, he can still score 39 points.
At age 39, The King is far better, though.
James was 15-of-24 from the field in the Lakers’ recent 131-114 road loss to Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies, adding seven rebounds, six assists and six made 3-pointers.
Early into a season that will see him turn 40, James is blowing Jordan away on the hardwood.
The King is topping Jordan in scoring, rebounds, assists and field goal percentage.
While Jordan had the 39-year-old edge in steals (2.3 for MJ and only 0.6 for James), almost ever other key stat leans in The King’s favor.
To many, Jordan will always be the GOAT.
Approaching 40, James has Jordan beat when it comes to Father Time.
He also recently won another gold medal with Team USA during the Paris Summer Olympics.
James just isn’t 6-0 in the Finals, and likely will never catch Jordan when it comes to all-defining championship rings.
MJ’s biggest competitor in NBA history is an uneven 4-6 in the Finals.
“We play in different eras,” Jordan said in 2020. “He’s an unbelievable player.”
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