Michael Jordan once said he’d beat LeBron James 1-on-1 if they played in their primes.
I’d take Jordan, who’s better overall. LeBron’s biggest advantage is passing ability, which doesn’t factor 1-on-1. The Cavaliers star is stronger, so it’s not as if he has no 1-on-1 advantages. But I’m taking Jordan.
Want to pick LeBron? That’s a plausible answer.
But here’s a different question that is not debatable:
Public Policy Polling surveyed NBA fans (hat tip: Dan Devine of Ball Don’t Lie):
(Among NBA fans) If LeBron James and Michael Jordan played one on one in the year 2015, who do you think would win?
LeBron James …………………………………………. 54%
Michael Jordan ……………………………………….. 34%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 12%
I want to be careful – because some of you apparently take this very seriously – but 34 percent of respondents have no clue what they’re talking about.
There is absolutely no way a 52-year-old Jordan could keep up with a 30-year-old LeBron. This isn’t a close call. This isn’t worthy of further analysis.
LeBron would torch Jordan 1-on-1 today.