Following LeBron James’ historic achievement of surpassing the 40,000-point mark, sports commentator Skip Bayless took to social media to draw comparisons between James and basketball legend Michael Jordan. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Bayless attempted to undermine James’ accomplishment by highlighting Jordan’s superior resume and suggesting that the public tends to overlook Jordan’s achievements.
Bayless argued that while LeBron James may have reached a significant milestone, Jordan’s career boasts a more impressive array of accolades. According to Bayless, Jordan’s resume includes leading the NBA in scoring ten times, winning the Defensive Player of the Year award, and maintaining a perfect 6-0 record in NBA Finals appearances with six Finals MVP awards.
In contrast, Bayless pointed out that James has only led the league in scoring once and has not won a Defensive Player of the Year award. Additionally, James has faced several losses in NBA Finals appearances, a fact that Bayless emphasized to diminish the significance of James’ milestone night.
Despite Bayless’ criticisms, LeBron James’ career longevity remains a remarkable feat. Even in his 21st season, James continues to excel on the court, averaging 25.3 points, 7.9 assists, and 7.1 rebounds per game. In comparison, Michael Jordan’s career statistics include averaging 30.1 points, 5.3 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per game over his 15-season career.
Michael Jordan led the NBA in scoring 10 times — to just once for LeBron James. MJ also won a Defensive Player of the Year — LeBron none. MJ: 6-0 in Finals with 6 MVPs. LeBron has as many Finals losses as MJ had wins. But who remembers any of that tonight?
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) March 3, 2024
“Michael Jordan led the NBA in scoring 10 times — to just once for LeBron James. MJ also won a Defensive Player of the Year — LeBron none. MJ: 6-0 in Finals with 6 MVPs. LeBron has as many Finals losses as MJ had wins,” Bayless tweeted.
Notably, Boston Celtics legends Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce have expressed admiration for LeBron James’ longevity and impact on the game. Garnett praised James for his strength and influence, suggesting that Jordan never reached the same level as James currently possesses.
“Michael Jordan had it, he never had it like this.[LeBron] can probably stop the war right now … That’s how strong Bron is right now,” Garnett said.
“Think about this: He in his 21st year. He can make 25 years,” he said. “There’s gonna be more players that’s gonna be playing because as we as athletes evolve, we getting stronger, better, longer.”
Garnett said what James was doing wasn’t surprising, given his significant investment in his performance.
“I’m not shocked at anything. He’s invested in this and I’ve actually expected him to look something like this,” he said. “And then you know what he’s doing too? He’s putting the precedent; he’s putting the pressure on the KDs, and everybody else because they gotta follow this.”
Similarly, Pierce emphasized the significance of James’ ongoing career, highlighting his potential to continue playing at a high level for years to come. Both Garnett and Pierce acknowledged James’ commitment to maintaining his performance and setting a standard for future generations of athletes.
In the realm of longevity, LeBron James shares a unique distinction with NBA veteran Vince Carter as the only players to have careers lasting 21 seasons or longer. Carter holds the record for playing 22 seasons in the league, underscoring the rare achievement of enduring excellence in professional basketball.
While Skip Bayless’ critique may have stirred debate among fans, LeBron James’ milestone night serves as a testament to his enduring impact on the sport and his relentless pursuit of excellence.
