Michael Jordan won 6 NBA championships with a 6-0 Finals record and higher peak performance metrics, while LeBron James has won 4 championships, played 20 more seasons, and accumulated more career statistics due to longevity. Jordan's dominance was concentrated in the 1990s, while LeBron has maintained elite performance across three decades.
Michael Jordan vs LeBron James — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Legendary Chicago Bulls guard who won 6 NBA championships in the 1990s with unmatched peak performance.
All-time NBA scoring leader with 4 championships across 21 seasons with multiple franchises
NBA Championships. Finals Record. Career Points. MVP Awards. Scoring Average. NBA Seasons Played. All-NBA First Team Selections
Michael Jordan edges LeBron James on peak performance, championship efficiency, and dominance metrics, with a perfect 6-0 Finals record and higher scoring average. However, LeBron James surpasses Jordan in career longevity and total statistics due to playing 6 additional seasons at elite levels. Choose Jordan if you prioritize peak dominance and championship perfection; choose LeBron if you value sustained excellence and career accumulation over 20+ years.
Michael Jordan: 32,292 | LeBron James: 40,361
Michael Jordan: 5,633 assists | LeBron James: 10,452
Michael Jordan: 6,672 | LeBron James: 11,185
Michael Jordan: 33.5 PPG | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 83.4% | LeBron James: 73.5%
Michael Jordan: 32.7% | LeBron James: 40.8%
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: 6 championships | LeBron James: 4
Michael Jordan: 6-0 (100%) | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 33.4 PPG | LeBron James: 27.2
Michael Jordan: 5 MVPs | LeBron James: 4 MVPs
Michael Jordan: 50.5% | LeBron James: 50.5%
Michael Jordan: 15 seasons | LeBron James: 21
Michael Jordan: 30.1 | LeBron James: 27.2
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: 5.3 APG | LeBron James: 7.1
Michael Jordan: 32,292 | LeBron James: 40,061
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: 50.5%
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: 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: 1,317 three-pointers
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: 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 113 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 better basketball player, Michael Jordan or LeBron James?
This depends on how you define 'better.' Jordan had the higher peak performance with a 30.1 PPG average, perfect 6-0 Finals record, and 5 MVP awards, making him arguably the most dominant player ever in his prime. LeBron has superior career longevity with 40,511 career points across 21 seasons, maintained elite performance into his 40s, and won with three different franchises. Most analysts rank Jordan #1 due to peak dominance, but LeBron's argument strengthens each season he maintains elite status.
How many championships did Jordan and LeBron each win?
Michael Jordan won 6 NBA championships, all with the Chicago Bulls (1991-1993, 1996-1998), with a perfect 6-0 Finals record. LeBron James won 4 championships: one with the Miami Heat (2012), one with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2016), and two with the Los Angeles Lakers (2020). Jordan's championships came in consecutive seasons during his peak, while LeBron's span across three decades with different organizations.
Who scored more points in their NBA career?
LeBron James surpassed Michael Jordan's career point total, becoming the NBA's all-time leading scorer with 40,511 points (as of 2025) compared to Jordan's 32,292 points. However, Jordan achieved his scoring at a higher average (30.1 PPG vs 27.2 PPG) over a shorter career span of 15 seasons, while LeBron's total reflects 21 seasons of play, demonstrating the difference between peak scoring and career accumulation.
How many MVP awards did each player win?
Michael Jordan won 5 MVP awards (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998), the most in NBA history at the time. LeBron James won 4 MVP awards (2008, 2009, 2012, 2013). Jordan's MVPs were concentrated during his peak years with the Bulls, while LeBron's MVPs span from his Cleveland and Miami eras, reflecting his sustained excellence across different teams and decades.
Why did Michael Jordan retire early if he's so dominant?
Michael Jordan retired three times during his career. His first retirement (1993-1995) came after his father's murder, during which he pursued professional baseball. He returned to the Bulls in 1995 and won three more championships. His final retirement was in 1999 at age 35 while still performing at an elite level. These early retirements mean Jordan missed what would have been prime years, preventing a direct statistical comparison of full prime-age careers with LeBron.
How to Choose Between Michael Jordan and LeBron James
NBA Championships: Michael Jordan has 6, while LeBron James has 4.
Finals Record: Michael Jordan has 6-0 (100%), while LeBron James has 4-6 (40%).
Career Points: Michael Jordan has 32,292, while LeBron James has 40,511.
MVP Awards: Michael Jordan has 5, while LeBron James has 4.
Scoring Average: Michael Jordan has 30.1 PPG, while LeBron James has 27.2 PPG.
NBA Seasons Played: Michael Jordan has 15, while LeBron James has 21.
All-NBA First Team Selections: Michael Jordan has 11, while LeBron James has 13.