The One Star Uber Ride
A couple of years ago I was taking an Uber during the time of the NBA playoffs and engaged in a basketball conversation with my Uber Driver. He was convinced that LeBron was the greatest ever. I did not try to get him on team MJ for one simple reason: he was really young and he did not grow up watching MJ. Even if I threw data at him, he was not open for exploring it. And I can’t blame him although he might have access to MJ highlights, he watched LeBron in real time over the years. So I thanked him and gave him a one star rating (not true).
(Side comment: I think there should be a mute button/function in the Uber app. Maybe mute button is harsh but an option politely advising your Uber driver that you are not interested in engaging in conversation. I once had an Uber driver pick me up at 4:45 am for an early flight to ORD and she talked my ear off with bad music blaring. I still have nightmares about that experience.)
There is a lot of data out there on why MJ is better and you can also read Tarun’s recent blog to get a breakdown (https://www.realgstandard.com/blog-2/mjthe-best-ever). . However, I want to take a different perspective having watched both players closely. Here is a breakdown in four critical areas:
WINNING FROM WITHIN
MJ took the Bulls team to his first NBA championship with 2 young starters (Pippen and Grant), a center with chronic foot issues (Bill Cartwright), and a reliable point guard (Paxson) who averaged 7 pts a game. MJ was the only All Star at that time for the Bulls.
LeBron jumped shipped from Cleveland to join 2 proven All Stars in Wade and Bosh to win his first NBA championship in Miami. And Wade was already a super star with a championship under his belt and a proven playoff veteran.
LeBron did go on to win in Cleveland on his second tour of duty and came back from being down 3-1 was gangster (https://bit.ly/3bovLMy) .
I believe it’s harder to build from within and stay the course even when things are tough. It took the Bulls 2 years to get past the Pistons. It was a different era as well and players from opposing teams did not talk about building super teams. I am not saying it’s wrong, I just think MJ’s path to his first championship was tougher.
Edge: MJ
FUN FACTOR/TEAM MATE
I think this is an easy one and the documentary The Last Dance is going to show what some might consider his dark side: his will to win. MJ was all about the grind. LeBron just seems like a really fun dude, recognizable from Taco Tuesday, videos with his kids and his love of wine (sheesh). LeBron seems to really enjoy the journey. MJ was all about the destination.
There were stories about MJ’s will and competitive drive. For example, Steve Kerr took a punch from MJ in practice and figured out a way to win and thrive in his role with the Bulls (https://bit.ly/2KkbADU).
Edge: I just think LeBron’s teams had more fun
NBA ERA
I have heard people say the NBA game seems faster and players are more athletic recently. Maybe there is some truth in that. But I don’t buy it and I would like to make the case that the NBA was also a rougher sport back then. There were a lot of hard fouls back then and you can hand check a player (implemented in 2004). Basically, you can put your hand on a player pre-2004 without it being called a foul. And that really can slow a player down, distract him, give the defender an extra edge….it also makes harder for to the offensive players to score.
LeBron is tough as hell, can play any position, and he is also taller and bulkier than MJ. But he never experienced the defensive strategies that MJ and the Bulls faced because the rules were so different. How would LeBron’s Heat team respond if Laimbeer threw Bosh to the ground or Rodman (Pistons) kicked Mario Chalmers? Skeptical, check out this clip from the 1991 ECF (https://bit.ly/2xIKGmb ).
Edge: MJ
CIGARS vs WINE
LeBron’s love for wine is no secret. And I think that is awesome. He tweets about it, post pics on Instagram and even bet Draymond Green a case of Silver Oak during an NBA finals (not a huge fan of Silver Oak but if you want to send a me case though, I won’t object).
-Here is a great article on Vice about his wine habits: https://bit.ly/2VK5fa3 in case you are curious or want to read more about it.
In 1993, MJ smoked a cigar before every home game on his drive from Highland Park to the United Center (https://bit.ly/3cuc4mQ). When I read this interview, I was shocked. You would think the best player would be drinking fresh carrot juice or doing something insanely healthy before he laces up. But to light a cigar and then smoke the rest of the league is in a class by himself.. And I love wine as well, but I think you know who is getting the Edge here (MJ).
MJ wins 3-1. Enjoy the Last Dance and who would have thought MJ would dominate the sports world again in 2020 for a very different reason. Please stay safe and be well! And be nice to your Uber drivers :)…when we all start to take Uber again.