Michael Jordan won 6 NBA championships with a 33.4 PPG career average and perfect 6-0 Finals record, while LeBron James has 4 championships, 40,474 career points (NBA's all-time leader), and 10 Finals appearances across three franchises. Jordan peaked higher during his era, while LeBron demonstrated greater longevity and all-around impact.
Michael Jordan vs LeBron James — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Chicago Bulls legend with 6 NBA championships and 5 MVP awards, considered by many as the GOAT.
All-around forward and the NBA's most durable two-way player with 4 championships across 3 teams
NBA Championships. Finals Record. Career Points. Career PPG Average. MVP Awards. All-Star Selections. Career Longevity
Michael Jordan edges out as the greatest peak performer with 6 perfect Finals runs, superior scoring efficiency (30.1 PPG), and 5 MVP awards, representing the gold standard of championship dominance. LeBron James is the greater all-around player with unmatched longevity (20 seasons), all-time scoring record (40,474 points), and sustained excellence across three different franchises. Choose Jordan if prioritizing peak dominance and Finals perfection; choose LeBron if valuing longevity, all-around impact, and sustained excellence across the longest career.
Michael Jordan: 32,292 | LeBron James: 40,361
Michael Jordan: 5,633 | LeBron James: 10,911
Michael Jordan: 6,672 | LeBron James: 10,921
Michael Jordan: 33.5 PPG | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 83.4% | LeBron James: 73.5%
Michael Jordan: 32.7% | LeBron James: 34.5%
Michael Jordan: 13× All-Star | LeBron James: 19
Michael Jordan: 6.2 RPG | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 2.3 SPG | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 6-0 (Perfect) | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 1,071 games | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 15 seasons (1984-2003) | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 5 MVP awards | LeBron James: 4
Michael Jordan: 10 scoring titles | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: $3 billion+ | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 37.1 | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 30.1 | LeBron James: 27.2
Michael Jordan: 50.5% | LeBron James: 50.5%
Michael Jordan: 1,072 | LeBron James: 1,610
Michael Jordan: 27.3% | LeBron James: 34.4%
Michael Jordan: 32,292 points | LeBron James: 40,474 points
Michael Jordan: 5 MVP awards | LeBron James: 4 MVP awards
Michael Jordan: 5 DPOY awards | LeBron James: 1 DPOY award
Michael Jordan: 6 | LeBron James: 10 Finals (4 wins)
Michael Jordan: 32,292 | LeBron James: 40,511 points
Michael Jordan: 6 | LeBron James: 4 Finals MVPs
Michael Jordan: 9 selections | LeBron James: 6
Michael Jordan: 1.89 | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 50.3% | LeBron James: 50.2%
Michael Jordan: 13 selections | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 32,292 points | LeBron James: 40,361 points
Michael Jordan: 32,292 | LeBron James: 40,361 points
Michael Jordan: 30.1 | LeBron James: 27.2 PPG
Michael Jordan: 30.1 | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 65.4% | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 33.4 | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 37.1 (1986-87) | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 100% | LeBron James: 40%
Michael Jordan: 10 | LeBron James: 10 selections
Michael Jordan: 33.4 | LeBron James: 28.7
Michael Jordan: 11.5 (6.2 RPG + 5.3 APG) | LeBron James: 17.9 (10.5 RPG + 7.4 APG)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 1,295
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 27.2 PPG career (through 2026)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 28.3 PPG (2025-26)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 8.5 APG (2025-26)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 8.3 RPG (2025-26)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 4 MVPs
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 4 Championships
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 10 Finals appearances
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 4 Finals MVPs
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 66.7% TS% (2025-26)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 23 seasons (2003-2026)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 6'9" (206cm)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 20 All-Star selections
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 31.4 PPG (2009-10)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 21 seasons (2003-2024)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 1 NBA Cup MVP
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 0 titles
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: Guard, Forward, Center (multi-position)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 2003-2026 (modern 3-point era)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 40,361
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 272.5
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 1,364
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 50.5%
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 34.5%
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 58.7%
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 6'9"
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 21 seasons
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 40% (4 of 10 Finals)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 19 (of 21)
How to choose between Michael Jordan and LeBron James
Michael Jordan vs LeBron James — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Michael Jordan vs LeBron James. Contains 108 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Michael Jordan vs LeBron James — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Michael Jordan vs LeBron James.
Who is the GOAT - Michael Jordan or LeBron James?
This depends on criteria: Jordan won with a perfect 6-0 Finals record and higher peak performance (30.1 PPG, 5 MVPs), while LeBron demonstrated superior longevity (20 seasons vs 15), all-time scoring record (40,474 points), and consistency (19 All-Star selections). Historically, Jordan is favored by 55-60% of basketball analysts for peak dominance, while LeBron gains ground for overall career value.
Why does Michael Jordan have a better Finals record than LeBron?
Jordan played in an era with less parity and played for only one organization (Bulls) during his championship runs, allowing sustained team chemistry. His 6 Finals runs came during his absolute peak years (1991-1998). LeBron's 4-6 record reflects playing against stronger competition spread across 10 Finals appearances, including multiple upsets and injuries to his teams.
How did LeBron break the all-time scoring record?
LeBron surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's previous record of 38,387 points in February 2023 due to his 20-season longevity combined with 27.2 career PPG average. He played 1,510 games compared to Jordan's 1,072 games, giving him 438 additional games to accumulate points despite lower PPG.
Which era had stronger competition - Jordan's or LeBron's?
LeBron's era (2003-present) featured greater competitive depth with more international talent, advanced training, and analytics, but Jordan's 1990s featured more physically intense defense and less three-point shooting. Most analysts consider modern NBA competition stronger overall, making LeBron's sustained success more impressive across eras.
How do their playoff performances compare?
Jordan averaged 33.4 PPG in the playoffs (higher than LeBron's 28.7 PPG) with a 24-0 clinching Finals record. LeBron appeared in 10 Finals (more total appearances) but with a 4-6 record. Jordan's peak playoff dominance was higher, while LeBron's consistency over more years demonstrates different strengths.
How to Choose Between Michael Jordan and LeBron James
NBA Championships: Michael Jordan has 6 titles (1991-1998), while LeBron James has 4 titles (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020).
Finals Record: Michael Jordan has 6-0 (perfect), while LeBron James has 4-6 (4 wins, 6 losses).
Career Points: Michael Jordan has 32,292 points, while LeBron James has 40,474 points (all-time leader).
Career PPG Average: Michael Jordan has 30.1 PPG, while LeBron James has 27.2 PPG.
MVP Awards: Michael Jordan has 5 MVPs (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998), while LeBron James has 4 MVPs (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012).
All-Star Selections: Michael Jordan has 13 All-Star appearances, while LeBron James has 19 All-Star appearances.
Career Longevity: Michael Jordan has 15 seasons (1984-1993, 1995-1998, 2001-2003), while LeBron James has 20 seasons (2003-present).