Decoding the GOAT Debate: Key Stats Differentiating Michael Jordan and LeBron James

ESPN’s documentary series “The Last Dance” showed a generation of young NBA fans just how great Michael Jordan was. For those who witnessed Jordan’s brilliance, it reinforced the belief that he was the greatest player to ever play in the NBA.

Of course, the emergence of LeBron James shakes the argument that MJ is the GOAT. Many people believe that James’s extraordinary persistence and persistence make him worthy of becoming the GOAT, especially when the LA Lakers star just became the first player to reach the 40,000 point mark.

Join Sporting News to take a look at the important statistics of these two stars, and who has the more impressive stats.

(All statistics current as of March 3, 2024)

Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James: Statistics in Regular season

Based on match-by-match statistics, Jordan is superior in scoring, but James is better in rebounds and assists. Both are excellent wing defenders, Jordan led the entire league in steals three times, while James never topped this stat.

But in terms of playing time, James clearly has the upper hand. The gap between the two will become longer and longer, because James is still healthy and shows no signs of slowing down at the age of 39.

Jordan	Every match	LeBron
30.1	Point	27.1
6.2	Rebounds	7.5
5.3	Assist	7.4
2.3	Steals	1.5
0.8	Blocks	0.8
2.7	Turnovers	3.5
38.3	Minutes of competition	38.0
49.7%	Finishing rate	50.5%
32.7%	3-point shooting percentage	34.7%
83.5%	Free throw percentage	73.5%

Jordan	total	LeBron
1,072	Match	1,474
32,292	Point	40,017
6,672	Rebounds	11,046
5,633	Assist	10,847
2,514	Steals	2,255
893	Blocks	1,106
2,924	Turnovers	5,140
41,011	Minutes of competition	55,987

Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James: Advanced statistics in Regular season

VORP and Win Shares favor James, but PER and Box Plus/Minus favor Jordan.

Jordan	Advanced	LeBron
27.9	Player Efficiency Rating	27.1
116.1	Value Over Replacement	150.4
9.2	Box Plus/Minus	8.7
214.0	Win Shares	260.8
56.9	True Shooting %	58.9
33.3	Usage %	31.6

Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James: Playoff statistics

There is not much difference compared to the regular season, when Jordan excels in scoring, while James is better at rebounds and assists.

Although James has continuously changed himself, from a player who specializes in hitting close to the basket and relying heavily on physical strength, becoming a smarter player and clearly improving his 3-point shooting ability. However, the truth is that his three-point shooting rate is not too superior to Jordan’s in the Playoffs.

Jordan	Every match	LeBron
33.4	Point	28.5
6.4	Rebounds	9.0
5.7	Assist	7.2
2.1	Steals	1.7
0.9	Blocks	1.0
3.1	Turnovers	3.6
41.8	Minutes of competition	41.3
48.7	Finishing rate	49.5
33.2	3-point shooting percentage	33.1
82.8	Free throw percentage	74.1

Jordan	total	LeBron
179	Match	282
5,987	Point	8,023
1,152	Rebounds	2,549
1,022	Assist	2,023
376	Steals	471
158	Blocks	270
546	Turnovers	1,015
7,474	Minutes of competition	11,654

Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James: Advanced Playoff Statistics

Jordan is the leader in PER and Box Plus/Minus in the Playoffs, while James is the leader in VORP and Win Shares.

Jordan	Advanced	LeBron
28.6	Player Efficiency Rating	27.9
24.7	Value Over Replacement	35.4
11.1	Box Plus/Minus	10.0
39.8	Win Shares	57.9
56.8	True Shooting %	58.3
35.6	Usage %	31.8

Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James: Titles and awards

Michael Jordan is famous for his 6-0 record in the NBA Finals and never needed game 7 to end the series.

Meanwhile, James has a 4-6 record in 10 NBA Finals appearances, but consecutively reaching the finals with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat is still an achievement that cannot be underestimated.