Was Michael Jordan the best?
Emma Payne
Published Jan 23, 2026
According to figures from ESPN, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time. Besides, there are also many other excellent basketball players.
Is Michael Jordan the greatest of all time?
By any calculation, Jordan is the greatest scorer the league has ever seen. He won a record 10 scoring titles, and boasted a career average of 30.1 points per game, the most in NBA history. Jordan was also among the greatest winners in NBA history.
Is MJ or LeBron better?
LeBron James' statistics indicate that he is a much better overall basketball player. While Jordan scored more overall, LeBron is a more efficient player, shooting better from two and three-point range. LeBron is also a much better passer and rebounder than Jordan ever was.
Is there a better player than Michael Jordan?
The One Player Who Was Said to Be Better Than Michael Jordan Never Played in the NBA. If you look back at the 1986 NBA draft, there was a player who was said to have a great NBA career. Some people even said that he was better than Michael Jordan. That basketball player was Len Bias.
Was Michael Jordan one of the best?
“The greatest player of all time. Jordan led the Bulls to six NBA championships, winning six Finals MVP awards and five regular-season MVP honors while becoming a global icon on and off the floor,” wrote ESPN's Nick Friedell.
16 related questions foundIs Kobe better than Jordan?
While we're giving Kobe the edge over Jordan on their head-to-head matchups, Jordan wins the conversation when it comes to career accolades. Bryant was a 5x NBA Champion while Jordan won 6 titles, including a 6-0 record in the Finals. Bryant, on the other hand, finished his career with a 5-2 record in the Finals.
Why is Michael Jordan considered the goat?
Why is Michael Jordan the GOAT? Jordan played in one of the toughest eras in NBA history, overcoming some of the greatest players of all time. Whoever was on top, MJ came for. His first foe was Isiah Thomas and the 'Bad Boy' Detroit Pistons, who the Bulls swept in 1991 after three consecutive play-off series defeats.
What did Michael Jordan say to LeBron James?
Michael Jordan Has Studied LeBron James And Explains How He Would Stop Him: "If I Have To Guard Him, I'm Gonna Push Him Left 9 Out 10 Times. If He goes Right He's Going To The Hole And I Can't Stop Him. So, I Ain't Letting Him Go Right.”
Who is the most clutch player in NBA history?
Most Clutch NBA Players of All Time
- Dolph Schayes, Forward-Center.
- Rick Barry, Small Forward. ...
- James Worthy, Power Forward. ...
- Shaquille O'Neal, Center. ...
- Stephen Curry, Point Guard. ...
- John Havlicek, Small Forward-Shooting Guard. ...
- Ray Allen, Shooting Guard. ...
- Robert Horry, Forward. They call him "Big Shot Rob" for a reason. ...
Who is the most famous basketball player?
1. Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan is widely known as the game's greatest player—and for good reason. "MJ" accomplished everything possible in the game, piling up on the stats and awards.
Did LeBron ever play Jordan?
Michael Jordan and LeBron James were teammates in 2003
One night, Jordan and the college kids he had at the camp played five-on-five, and James and MJ ended up on the same team. During an interview in May 2020, James told the story about being teammates with Jordan and how his team never lost a game.
Is LeBron the best player ever?
LeBron came in at No. 2 on The Athletic's list, trailing only Michael Jordan. LeBron is, according to The Athletic's voting panel of NBA experts, the second-greatest player ever. Which makes him, arguably, the greatest ever.
Who is the real goat in NBA?
Many consider either LeBron James or Michael Jordan the greatest player in NBA history—the GOAT, as the title is widely abbreviated in sports circles. Some want to put Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the conversation, while others seem determined to include Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.
Why we should remember Michael Jordan?
At age 50, Michael Jordan is remembered as basketball's greatest player ever. He's the man who represented a cultural shift from the '80s to the '90s, from the Cold War to globalization.
What is Michael Jordan best known for?
American basketball player Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to six National Basketball Association (NBA) championships (1991–93, 1996–98). He was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP) five times (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998) and was also named Defensive Player of the Year in 1988.
How was Michael Jordan so good?
He wanted to be in the best possible shape he could. He lifted weights, ate right and made sure he was in the best physical condition he could be in. His skill. He wanted to turn his weakness into strength.
Who is the best clutch shooter of all time?
Kobe Bryant
Out of all players where the clutch shot percentage has been calculated, Bryant has taken the most shots with 287 attempts. While Kobe Bryant himself would likely tell you that nobody is taking the last show besides him, the Lakers knew that the Black Mamba had the best chance to connect than anybody.
Who has made the most buzzer beaters in NBA history?
The record for most NBA buzzer beaters in history goes to none other than Michael Jordan. A six-time champion and arguably the greatest to ever pick a basketball up, Jordan tallied nine buzzer beaters in his illustrious career.
Who is the least clutch NBA player?
Here's a list of the 3 least clutch NBA players during 2021.
- Russell Westbrook. Russell Westbrook is arguably one of the most talented players in the league. ...
- LeBron James. For all the great things LeBron does on the court, his clutch shooting is definitely not one of them. ...
- Paul George.
Are Michael Jordan and LeBron James friends?
The two don't have a close relationship for reasons that are probably rooted in many competitive impulses. Maybe this is the beginning of a different relationship for the two. "I did not want to lose the opportunity to shake the man's hand that inspired me throughout my childhood," James said.
What is Michael Jordans number?
Michael Jordan's number 23 jersey is arguably the most iconic in sports history. Jordan entered the league in 1984 and was assigned the number 23 by the Chicago Bulls. He immediately established himself as one of the best players in the league. With his improvement, his jersey number became absolutely iconic.
Why is Michael Jordan eyes yellow?
“(Jordan's) eyes are slightly discoloured which may point to jaundice, but there seems to also be a slightly raised lesion on the eye, which can point to something local causing the discolouration like a pinguecula,” Dr. Phua observed.
What makes Michael Jordan better than LeBron?
Jordan is superior in the scoring department, but James grabs rebounds and dishes out assists at a higher rate. While both players are known for tenacious defense on the wing, Jordan finished first in the league in steals three times in his career. James has not yet claimed a steals title.
How many Hall of Famers did Jordan face?
FS1 - Michael Jordan faced 9 Hall of Famers in his Finals... | Facebook.