The argument often cited that Michael Jordan’s unblemished 6-0 record in NBA Finals elevates him to the status of the greatest player ever has been a recurring theme, particularly in debates involving sports commentators such as Stephen A. Smith, Skip Bayless, and Michael Wilbon in the ongoing Jordan/LeBron discourse. While Jordan undoubtedly presents a compelling case for the title of the greatest player of all time, and we in fact rank Jordan 1st as well, the emphasis on his flawless Finals record stands out as one of the weaker points in this discussion.
A recent debate between Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe rekindled this argument, and inspired this article, with Smith once again deploying Jordan’s perfect Finals record as a trump card. Sharpe, however, offered an insightful analogy likening LeBron James to a 21-year storm, contrasting Jordan’s intermittent comebacks with periods of relative inactivity and a sharp fadeout at the same age LeBron currently is. Sharpe emphasized LeBron’s longevity as a key factor in the debate, countering Smith’s argument which I agree is the best case LeBron can put forward.
Smith proposed an interesting hypothetical scenario, suggesting that if one were to assess LeBron’s career solely from 2012 onwards, the debate might shift in his favor. While this proposition seems intuitive, Smith’s contention that LeBron’s earlier career, including the 2011 NBA Finals loss to the Mavericks, is disqualifying remains perplexing. Despite LeBron’s transformative growth as a player post-2011, Smith argues that the failure to overcome the Mavericks in that series is an insurmountable stain on his legacy, even if he later developed into a player more comparable to Jordan from 2012 to 2023.
This perspective raises questions about the validity of discounting a player’s entire body of work based on a single failure. The argument implies that it is preferable not to reach the Finals at all than to face defeat and subsequently overcome it. This stance appears incongruous, especially considering LeBron’s demonstrated ability to evolve and succeed in the years following the pivotal 2011 series.
Moreover, the “championships as the end-all, be-all” perspective encounters its own challenge when considering players like Bill Russell, who boasts an astonishing 11 championships. While the 6-0 record in the Finals has become a default differentiator in the Jordan/LeBron debate, a more nuanced examination demands an exploration of the contextual factors often overlooked in the simplistic comparison of 6-0 versus 4-6. Since this argument of Jordan being 6-0 in Finals and LeBron having 6 losses is so used let’s give it context.
The Early Years
2007 NBA Finals
LeBron James propelled his first Cavaliers team to the NBA Finals during his age 22 season, as documented on Basketball Reference. Notably, the second-leading scorer on this team was Larry Hughes, with additional contributions from Drew Gooden and Zydrunas Ilgauskas. This squad achieved the remarkable feat of dethroning a Pistons team that had previously secured an NBA championship, reached the finals, and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals in the three preceding seasons. Subsequently, the Cavaliers faced the formidable San Antonio Spurs, who were then in the midst of claiming their third NBA championship out of four with their core comprising Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili, all operating at their peak.
Considering these circumstances, characterizing LeBron’s accomplishment of taking a team of this composition to the Finals and triumphing over a formidable Pistons squad as a failure is untenable. The subsequent loss to the dynastic Spurs, a team at the height of its dominance, further underscores the immense challenge LeBron and the Cavaliers faced. To label this achievement as ludicrously inadequate neglects the context of the opponent’s caliber and the relative inexperience incompetence of LeBron’s supporting cast. This particular journey to the Finals stands as a testament to LeBron’s early impact and his ability to lead a team against formidable competition.
Jordan in the Early years
Jordan couldn’t have led that LeBron Finals team to a win either, and at the same age his Bulls team was being swept out of the playoffs in the 1st round. In fairness Jordan was hurt most of that season but the following year he was completely healthy had one a great season and the Bulls would go 40-42 and also be swept in the first round by the Celtics. So is it better to barely get into the playoffs at 23 years old and get swept in the first round, or take a team to the NBA Finals at 22 years old and lose? That is the argument the Final Losses people are essentially making.
From age 21 to 23 Jordan was 1-9 in the playoffs with two sweeps. In the same age seasons LeBron and his inferior teams were 26-20 and won 5 series if you really want to use team success which I think is a mostly terrible way to view it with all the things a players can’t control.
1988 through 1990
A Jordan led team wouldn’t win it’s first playoff series until his age 24 year old season. A 3-2 victory over the Cavs, it would take until Jordan’s age 27 season before he made his first finals. With Scottie Pippen, Horrace Grant, and BJ Armstrong this was certainly a much better-supporting cast than LeBron had in his first finals run.
1995 and The Myth Jordan Was Never Taken to a Game 7
Stephen A. Smith’s assertion that Michael Jordan was never taken to a Game 7 or lost in the Finals is, at best, somewhat misleading. While technically accurate, this perspective overlooks the instances before the Finals when Jordan’s teams found themselves in win-or-go-home situations. Furthermore, it disregards losses earlier in the playoffs, including the 1995 season when the Orlando Magic eliminated the Chicago Bulls with Jordan, Pippen, Toni Kukoč, B.J. Armstrong, Luc Longley, Ron Harper, and Steve Kerr.
The argument might contend that Jordan’s absence for a significant portion of the 1994-1995 season should be considered a factor. However, it is worth noting that his return, which coincided with the end of the regular season, allowed for a level of freshness other playes didn’t have. In fact, Jordan played a comparable number of games to his 1985 season, during which he was recovering from a foot injury and subject to a minutes restriction, and no one make that excuse as he scored 63 on the Celtics. The Bulls, upon his return, achieved a 13-4 record, and Jordan delivered standout performances along the way as well as in the first round of the playoffs against the Hornets, contributing 32.3 points per game, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists on a .585 true shooting percentage.
While some may retrospectively offer excuses for Jordan’s 1995 postseason performance, the reality remains that he was on the court, performing at a level consistent with his illustrious career. The Bulls, however, encountered a formidable Orlando Magic team in the second round and were defeated. Acknowledging these moments in Jordan’s career is essential for a comprehensive understanding, rather than dismissing them in favor of a narrative that paints an incomplete picture of his playoff journey.
6-0 on the Finals but Jordan lost 7 times prior to getting to the Finals. He lost three times in the 1st round, twice in the 2nd of those, and failed to make the playoffs 2 times as well and got in one year with 30 wins. The Bulls were also taking to a game 5 or 7 four times including two game 7’s in their title runs vs New York and Indiana. So sure, he was never taken to a game 7 in the Finals, but he was in the 2nd round one season or by the Pacers led by Reggie Miller and Rick Smits.
LeBron vs the Warriors
Three of LeBron James’ NBA Finals losses occurred against the formidable Warriors dynasty. In the initial encounter, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love sustained injuries, leaving LeBron to carry a depleted roster. Despite the odds, he managed to secure two victories against the Warriors, even as Timofey Mozgov emerged as the second-leading scorer in the series at 14 points per game. This feat is remarkable, especially considering LeBron’s extraordinary individual performance, averaging 36 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists.
The subsequent two Finals losses to the Warriors were against a team widely regarded as one of the most talented in NBA history. The Warriors, having already clinched a championship, proceeded to win 73 games, only to be defeated in a Game 7 showdown (against LeBron and the Cavs). Subsequently, they added Kevin Durant, a player considered among the top 10 in NBA history. LeBron, in these instances, faced a challenge beyond his control, contending with a Warriors team that significantly bolstered its already formidable lineup.
It is worth noting that LeBron’s individual brilliance throughout these Finals clashes often overshadowed the limitations of the supporting cast around him. Arguably, many of Jordan’s Bulls, given a comparable supporting cast, might have faced similar outcomes against the Warriors. The context of the competition and the strength of the opposing team are crucial factors to consider when evaluating LeBron’s performances in these Finals.
The 2011 Finals vs the Mavs
Undoubtedly, the 2011 NBA Finals stands out as a low point in LeBron James’s illustrious career, a facet critics often point to in debates about his greatness. It’s a valid critique—struggling against a team with only one All-Star while being part of a team considered one of the most formidable on paper is a notable shortcoming. LeBron’s decision to defer and his modest averages of 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists per game during the series were unexpected, especially for a player in the conversation for the greatest of all time.
However, in the broader context of LeBron’s remarkable 21-year career, this particular failure appears as an anomaly. His subsequent achievements and contributions to the game have undeniably overshadowed this early setback. LeBron, notably, rebounded from this disappointment in the latter part of his career, defying expectations and leading the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals at the age of 38, despite playing through injuries. His performance during this period, averaging nearly a 28-point triple-double, serves as a testament to his resilience and enduring excellence.
In comparison, at the same age, Michael Jordan found himself on a 37-win team that missed the playoffs with a quality player like Richard Hamilton—a fact sometimes overlooked in discussions, particularly by critics. LeBron’s ability to not only overcome the 2011 Finals setback but also excel in the latter stages of his career speaks volumes about his enduring impact on the game, potentially mitigating the weight of that early-career failure in the overall assessment of his legacy. Jordan also had a .475 true shooting percentage in the 1997 Eastern Conference Finals no one talks about and a few other subpar shooting series as well. Even the Mavs series Lebron was at .541. Jordan had finals like the 1996 vs Sonics he shot .538% true shooting as well and only put up 26.5ppg, 7rpg, 5.2apg. That’s not all that different than about 18, 8 and 7 on .541% true shooting, he just shot more.
I even think Jordan acquitted himself well on the Wizards, but he’s not what LeBron was at the same point in his career. Just to be able to grind for 21 years with no breaks like he has itself is amazing and should be recognized.
Conclusion
The argument that Michael Jordan’s unblemished Finals record is used as a definitive end to the debate often oversimplifies a complex comparison between Jordan and LeBron James. While the narrative surrounding Jordan’s Finals success is powerful, it tends to overlook certain nuances and aspects of both players’ careers.
It’s crucial to recognize that Jordan’s Bulls faced challenges and setbacks on the journey to the Finals. Instances such as the absence from the Finals in 1995, the Wizards years, and other scenarios should be considered in a comprehensive evaluation. Ignoring these moments in favor of a narrow focus on Jordan’s perfect Finals record can present an incomplete picture of his playoff experiences.
Moreover, scrutinizing LeBron’s performances against overwhelmingly talented teams, like the Warriors dynasty, demands a contextual understanding. While LeBron’s 2011 Finals series against the Mavericks is often criticized, it is essential to acknowledge that Jordan also had series where he struggled, albeit less memorably. Instances such as the 1997 Eastern Conference Finals, and the 1996 Finals against Seattle, where Jordan faced shooting challenges, underscore the point that even the greatest players have had subpar moments.
In essence, engaging in a nuanced discussion requires acknowledging the full spectrum of each player’s career, including successes and setbacks, rather than relying on a single statistic or narrative to settle the debate. Recognizing the layers and complexities of their respective journeys provides a more informed perspective on the legacies of both Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
