GREATNESS can be defined in many ways.
In the dictionary, synonyms like substantial, exceptional and extraordinary are mentioned.
Basketball stars LeBron James and Michael Jordan typify those words in every way.
Jordan is still probably up there, but I think it is more than arguable now given what LeBron has accomplished at his age — it is crazy (Andrew Bogut)
Both James and Jordan have been so influential throughout their careers, they’ve changed the way the game is played.
Now the debate amongst the hoops fraternity is raging — who is the greatest baller of all time — MJ or LBJ?
It’s a discussion basketball experts and fans alike thought would never happen when Jordan claimed his sixth NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls in 1998.
The man dubbed “Air Jordan” was the undisputed King that would forever sit on top of the basketball mountain, unchallenged.
Flash forward almost two decades and there is a new King coming for Jordan’s crown.
LeBron Raymone James, still going strong in his 15th NBA season, has amassed a stats sheet and record rivalling Michael’s greatest mantle.
According to Andrew Bogut, who defeated LeBron in the 2015 NBA Finals with Golden State, the race for basketball’s GOAT is neck and neck.
“I think the conversations people have — LeBron is definitely the best in the last 10 to 15 years,” Bogut told The Daily Telegraph.
“The Jordan fan boys might say otherwise, in terms of the greatest ever.
“Jordan is still probably up there, but I think it is more than arguable now given what LeBron has accomplished at his age — it is crazy.”
To put Bogut’s words in perspective, James achieved comparable stats to Jordan at age 32.
The Ohio-born small forward had the same number of championships and Finals MVPs as Jordan, while he surpassed the Chicago great All-Star and First Team selections.
James has racked up more rebounds and assists than MJ and one more MVP award, while last spring he passed Jordan in all-time postseason points.
However, Jordan’s 33.4 points per game playoff average eclipses James’ 28.9 points per game mark in the postseason.
James has also carried a subpar Cleveland side to this year’s NBA Finals on his broad shoulders.
When it is all said and done, this will add to LBJ’s legacy.
Bogut had the unenviable job of trying to contain James when he played at the Golden State Warriors.
Despite his best efforts, he admitted you can’t stop the 113 kilo, 6’8 beast that is LBJ.
“You’ve just got to match him,” Bogut reasoned.
“My whole thing was trying to make LeBron feel me there every time I was in the paint — whether I was blocking his shot or fouling him.
“That was my role playing against Cleveland.
“But he is just a freak.
“I haven’t spent much time with him, but at shoot arounds he is very vocal. He is basically another coach out there.
“He is a different beast to Steph (Curry) and those guys. He has a much bigger presence about himself when he walks into a room.”
When it comes to presence, though, no basketballer has made a greater impact on the sport than Jordan.
The Brooklyn-born shooting guard put the NBA on the global map in an era when the competition was primarily dominated by Americans.
And while you can’t deny James’ remarkable impact and durability, MJ still possesses a host of records that place him at the top.
Jordan led the NBA in scoring 10 times to James’ one.
He had 38 40-point games in the playoffs, compared to LeBron’s 22 in 46 more games.
James has also scored under 20 points on eight occasions in the Finals. Jordan never scored under 20 in the Finals.
But to be the greatest, you must have the complete game.
Jordan wowed us with his freakish dunks and fast-break play, but he was equally potent on the other end of the floor.
MJ won the Defensive Player of the Year in 1988, while he made the All-Defensive team on nine occasions.
James has been selected in the All-Defensive Team six times, but he has never won the Defensive Player of the Year title.
Ultimately, though, the best of all time tag comes down to championship rings. Like most sports, it’s the NBA’s measure of greatness.
In this respect, Jordan remains a clear leader over James.
MJ won six championships, while LBJ has claimed three. James has also lost five NBA Finals, two of those results coming after leading the series 2-1.
At age 33, though, LeBron isn’t quite finished and he has time to add to his already bulging trophy cabinet.
So there you have it, hoops fans, who is the greatest: MJ or LBJ?