It seems the debate of who the greatest of all time (G.O.A.T.) in NBA history boils down to Michael Jordan and Lebron James. More and more people feel James is the G.O.A.T., but many people still give the nod to Jordan, the Chicago Bulls legend from the 1980s and 1990s.
One thing that doesn't get brought up that often in this debate is the fact that James is a vastly different player than Jordan. While the latter was arguably the greatest and most capable scorer in basketball history (he won 10 scoring titles and has the hi ghest career scoring average of all time), the former is a more well-rounded player while lacking the latter's refined offensive skill set as a scorer.
Shawn Kemp, a star big man who played in Jordan's era, said recently he doesn't think James is the greatest ever. Furthermore, he said James shouldn't be compared to Jordan, and that Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson would be a more apt comparison.
"I think LeBron is right up there," said Kemp. "I don't think he's the best and I don't think he has to be the best. And I don't think LeBron James should be compared with Michael Jordan either. I think LeBron should be compared with Magic Johnson. Whoever started that [expletive] up got it totally wrong. LeBron is not no Michael Jordan, Kobe [Bryant] is more Michael Jordan.
"It's like they wanted to make a story for the news or something I guess so they just throw a name out there. But I don't see how you can really compare those two. He's such a bigger, stronger person than Michael Jordan was, and a more forceful person."
Johnson is someone James has also been compared to over the years because of James' court vision, passing ability and open-court skills. However, there was an element of flow and overall beauty, not to mention a killer instinct, in Johnson's game that isn't quite there fo r James.
Kemp also added this nugget about how James' game would've translated to the NBA of the 1990s.
"With LeBron, I don't think he could have done that back when we played with all those big bodies. I'm not saying he would've been a very good player, but I think his game would have had to change. He would have planned to play more like he did in his younger years."
It's very possible that James wouldn't have been allowed to run amok in transition and force the pace two or three decades ago, as just about every NBA team chose to walk the ball upcourt, milk the shot clock and keep scores under 100 back then. He likely still would've been a big star back then, but his numbers may have taken a hit because of the ultra-slow pace and the added physicality of that era.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Shawn Kemp: LeBron James shouldn't be compared to Michael Jordan
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