LeBron James or Michael Jordan? NBA fans love to argue which of the two players is the greatest of all-time, with some even willing to break the law to try and prove their view on the matter.
The debate gained even more traction after James hit a game-winning buzzer-beater in Game 4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ second-round playoff series against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday. Was that shot more impressive than Jordan’s iconic series-clinching shot in the 1989 playoffs?
With the Cavaliers and Bulls renewing their rivalry in 2015, we examine and grade both plays.
Clutch level
MJ: The Bulls were matched up with the third-seeded Cavaliers in the first-round, and Jordan sealed the upset with his dagger of a shot. The series was knotted at two games apiece and Chicago trailed by one point in the deciding Game 5 when Jordan delivered one of the most famous shots in basketball history, silencing the capacity crowd at Richfield Coliseum in the process.
Grade: 5/5
LeBron: Unlike MJ, James did not have the win-or-go-home pressure on his shoulders when he launched his long two-pointer from the corner. However, the Cavaliers were on the road and trailing the Bulls 2-1 in the series and certainly did not want to dig themselves a deeper hole to climb out of. Additionally, if James had misfired on the attempt, the game would have simply gone to overtime. If Jordan missed, his team would have been eliminated.
Grade: 4/5
Degree of difficulty
MJ: Jordan had just three seconds to work his magic and end the Cavaliers’ championship aspirations. The Hall of Famer received the inbound pass, dribbled to his left and pulled up from slightly above the free-throw line. Making this shot more difficult was how Jordan had to hang in the air while Craig Ehlo flew by and attempted to block it.
Grade: 4/5
LeBron: With just over one second remaining on the clock, Cavaliers coach David Blatt originally called a play for James to be the trigger man on the inbound pass. The four-time MVP wisely shook off his rookie bench boss and ensured he would be the one taking the shot. The move clearly paid off as James connected on a fadeaway jumper from the corner over defensive standout Jimmy Butler.
Grade: 4.5/5
Celebration
MJ: After seeing the ball rip the net cord, Jordan leaped in the air and followed with a series of well-executed fist pumps. His teammates immediately swarmed him while head coach Doug Collins gave a new meaning to raw emotion.
Grade: 4.5/5
LeBron: The reaction to James’ buzzer-beater was more of a team effort as he sprinted back to centre court to celebrate with his running mates. The Cavaliers huddled around their superstar and eventually pushed him on top of the media table.
Grade: 4/5
By our count, Jordan takes it with a total score of 13.5 compared to James’ 12.5, but what do you think? Let us know in the comments section below.
