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, 27.2 PPG career average, and won with 3 different franchises. Jordan's peak dominance was higher, but LeBron's longevity and all-around game are historically superior.
Michael Jordan vs LeBron James — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
6-time NBA champion, 5-time MVP, considered by many as the greatest basketball player ever
4-time NBA champion, 4-time MVP, all-time leading NBA scorer with 40,000+ career points
NBA Championships. Career Scoring Average. Finals Record. All-Time Scoring (Total Points). Career Assists. MVP Awards. Peak Performance Era
Choose Michael Jordan if you prioritize peak dominance, clutch performance, and perfect Finals execution—his 33.4 PPG scoring average and 6-0 championship record remain unmatched at the highest level. Choose LeBron James if you value all-around excellence, sustained excellence across two decades, and all-time scoring records—his 40,474 career points, 10,452 assists, and ability to lead three franchises to titles demonstrate historic longevity.
Michael Jordan: 32,292 | LeBron James: 40,361
Michael Jordan: 5,633 assists | LeBron James: 10,452 assists
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: 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: 13 All-Stars | LeBron James: 19 All-Stars
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: 5 MVPs | LeBron James: 4 MVPs
Michael Jordan: 50.8% | LeBron James: 50.5%
Michael Jordan: 1,072 | LeBron James: 1,610
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: 6 championships | LeBron James: 4 championships
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: 33.4 PPG | 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: 15 seasons | LeBron James: 21 seasons
Michael Jordan: 27.9% | LeBron James: 34.0%
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 111 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 greatest basketball player of all time?
This depends on criteria: Michael Jordan (1984-2003) is widely considered the GOAT for peak dominance, clutch Finals performances (6-0 record), and scoring prowess (33.4 PPG). However, LeBron James (2003-present) has surpassed Jordan in all-time points (40,474 vs 32,292) and assists (10,452 vs 5,633), with 4 championships across 3 franchises. Most experts rank Jordan #1 for peak years, LeBron in top 3-5 for all-around excellence.
Why did Jordan have a perfect 6-0 Finals record while LeBron is 4-6?
Jordan's 6 Finals appearances (1991-1998) all came with dominant Bulls teams that won 70+ games in 1995-96. He faced weaker competition in the Finals era. LeBron's 10 Finals appearances (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023) included playing against elite Warriors teams and deeper playoff fields. Jordan's perfect record reflects his peak advantage; LeBron's multiple Finals trips reflect greater longevity.
Who is the better all-around player: pure scorer or facilitator?
Jordan was the superior pure scorer (33.4 PPG, 10 scoring titles) with elite defense (9 All-Defensive First Teams). LeBron is the more complete player: 27.2 PPG while also leading the league in assists with 10,452 career assists—nearly double Jordan's 5,633. LeBron averaged 7.4 career assists per game vs. Jordan's 5.3, making him a better team facilitator. Modern analytics favor LeBron's versatility; traditional fans favor Jordan's scoring dominance.
How many years did each player play at elite level?
Michael Jordan's elite peak lasted approximately 8 years (1990-1998), where he won all 6 championships and averaged 33+ PPG. After 1998, he retired and briefly returned 2001-2003 with the Wizards at diminished output. LeBron has sustained elite performance for 20+ years (2003-present), making 10 Finals in 20 seasons and averaging 27+ PPG for 17 consecutive seasons through age 39—unprecedented longevity at an elite level.
What would happen if they played against each other in their prime?
This hypothetical is debated constantly. Jordan's advantages: superior peak scoring (33.4 vs 27.2 PPG), elite perimeter defense, clutch mentality. LeBron's advantages: 4 inches taller, stronger on defense, superior playmaking (7.4 vs 5.3 APG), more versatile offense. Most analysts give Jordan the edge in a single Finals series due to his unmatched scoring efficiency and clutch Finals record, but it would be competitive. Modern pace-and-space rules might favor LeBron's all-around game.
How to Choose Between Michael Jordan and LeBron James
NBA Championships: Michael Jordan has 6 titles, while LeBron James has 4 titles.
Career Scoring Average: Michael Jordan has 33.4 PPG, while LeBron James has 27.2 PPG.
Finals Record: Michael Jordan has 6-0 (perfect), while LeBron James has 4-6 record.
Consider: All-Time Scoring (Total Points)
All-Time Scoring (Total Points): Michael Jordan has 32,292 points, while LeBron James has 40,474 points.
Career Assists: Michael Jordan has 5,633 assists, while LeBron James has 10,452 assists.
MVP Awards: Michael Jordan has 5 MVPs, while LeBron James has 4 MVPs.
Peak Performance Era: Michael Jordan has 1990-1998 (8 years), while LeBron James has 2008-2014 (6 years).