Michael Jordan’s childhood begins in the town of Wilmington, North Carolina where he moved at a young age after being birthed in Brooklyn, New York. He was a stellar multi-sport athlete in the sports baseball, football, and basketball but that wasn’t enough for his hometown high school of Emsley A. Laney High School. He was cut from the school varsity team in his sophomore year but soon made it back as their star athlete. After high school he played in the NCAA where he led his team to a D1 championship in only his freshman year. The following years as both a sophomore & junior he was named the NCAA college player of the year which added to his early collection of accolades. The only reason his stellar college run was cut short was because he left to join the NBA. Jordan, part of the ‘84 draft class, was drafted 3rd overall by the Chicago Bulls.
Lebron James’s childhood was difficult to say the least. He was born to an ex-con for a father and to his mom, Gloria, when she was only 16 years old. Early in his life, he moved 6+ times, missing over a 100 days of school which showed that his parent(s) never paid attention to his education, shedding a spotlight on how he was led to sports. His first sport played was Football, which Lebron saw as his favorite sport when he was young. Finally warming up to his life, he was forced to move again. He led his hometown Akron basketball team to three state titles and was named “Mr. Basketball” in Ohio for three straight years. He decided not to go to college and went straight to the NBA where he was the number 1 pick in the 2003 NBA draft. Drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers, his path to success got off to a rocky but strong start.
Early on Jordan demonstrated his prowess by averaging 28.2 points a game winning rookie of the year (ROTY). He won his first championship in 1991 and went on to lead the Chicago Bulls to two three-peats in the 1990s. He then “having no more to prove” retired in October 1993 to go play for a minor league baseball team. One season later he returned to the Bulls late in the 1994-95 season to lead them to another 3 championships in the years ’96-98. He retired for a second time in January 1999. He went on to buy a share of the Washington Wizards and also became the president of basketball operations on the team. He returned to basketball again to join the Wizards and became the first player aged 40+ to score more than 40 PPG. Jordan’s final retirement from basketball appeared in May 2003.Overall, Jordan made 6 finals appearances with a total of 6 finals wins.
Totals: Six-time NBA champion (1991-93, 1996-98); MVP (1988, ’91, ’92, ’96, ’98); 10-time All-NBA First Team (1987-93, 1996-98); All-NBA Second Team (1985); Defensive Player of the Year (1988); Nine-time All-Defensive First Team (1988-93, 1996-98); Rookie of the Year (1985); 14-time All-Star; All-Star MVP (1988, ’96, ’98); One of 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (’96); Olympic gold medalist (1984, ’92).
Lebron’s first championship came in 2012 with the Miami Heat with 27.1 PPG, followed by two more with the Heat in 2013 and the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. His fourth championship came with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, solidifying his status as one of the greatest players of all time. Additionally, his four MVP awards showcase his consistent excellence and impact on the game throughout his career. Lebron had a total of 10 Finals appearances, which he won 4 out of showcasing his capability to fight to the top even without as much support as other teams have had.
LeBron James has been selected to the All-Star game a total of 17 times, further highlighting his dominance and impact on the league. He has also won one scoring title in 2008, displaying his versatility and ability to excel in different aspects of the game. In comparison, Jordan has been selected to the All-Star game 14 times and has won 10 scoring titles, solidifying his status as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history.
Off the court, Michael Jordan’s impact on basketball culture and his global brand cannot be understated. His influence transcends the sport, as seen through his successful Jordan Brand which continues to be a powerhouse in the world of sneakers and apparel. Jordan’s legacy extends far beyond his playing days, solidifying his status as a true icon in both sports and popular culture. The Jordan brand’s roots actually come from his parents. Not only did Jordan not begin with Nike, he actually started the deal with Converse & Adidas. Adidas was known as Jordan’s personal favorite, but when Nike offered him 250,000 – more than double Adidas offered – and a signature shoe, his parents urged him to take the deal. There are now 39 main flagship models with thousands of styles. Jordan serves as an inspiration no matter where he is to both NBA players and children alike. His skills and increasing influence led fans not only in the USA, but also across the entire world to hear of his prowess and in turn boost television viewership. Finally, by becoming a stake in the Charlotte Hornets, this showcased his commitment to not only playing but also coaching the new generation of basketball.
Conversely, Lebron has had tremendous impact, exemplified by his nickname King James, or the Chosen One. His records are seemingly unbreakable with over 40 thousand points in the regular season, additionally, James has scored 40+ points against all 30 teams. His philanthropy has taken roots in higher education, mentoring, advocacy, after-school programs, and early childhood development or learning. The LeBron James Family Foundation has raised over 100 Million for these causes. Finally, LeBron, after struggling with poverty as a child, works towards better education for those children now. As LeBron James has not retired yet, his influence is only yet to grow and the rest is history.
Overall, Lebron and Jordan have both made significant contributions to society through their philanthropic efforts and social activism. While Jordan’s impact on basketball culture and global brand is undeniable, LeBron has also used his platform to create positive change in the world. Both players have left a lasting legacy that extends beyond the basketball court, solidifying their status as true icons in sports and popular culture. Finally, it all comes down to personal preference and interpretation of the facts. The choice is left up to you, the reader…
