Kobe Bryant settles LeBron James-Michael Jordan furore

LEBRON James’ latest superhuman effort reignited debate about whether he — or Michael Jordan — is the greatest player ever.

LeBron James bleating like a ...

IT’S a mark of LeBron James’ greatness that all of his insane performances in this wild NBA postseason has been followed by comparisons to Michael Jordan.

This year’s MVP favourite James Harden and last year’s Finals MVP Kevin Durant are still alive in these playoffs, but there’s barely been any argument about who the best player in today’s game is.

This year’s conference finals, where James almost single-handedly led Cleveland back to the Finals with a 4-3 series win against Boston while Durant and Harden have missed opportunities to knock the other out, has been good for the Cavs superstar’s standing in today’s game.

Harden might win the MVP, and Durant might go back to back as Finals MVP, but James is better. It’s that simple.

But better than Jordan? That’s a question that’s impossible to answer but a debate that is only getting more intense after James’ 35-point, 15-rebound, nine-assist game seven performance, which Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue ranked up with game seven of the 2016 NBA Finals as the finest of the Ohio native’s career.

The hot takes were firing out before James had even left the court in Boston. There were plenty ready to label him the new GOAT.

Michael Jordan ain't better than LeBron James!

— DJ Steph Floss (@djstephfloss) May 28, 2018

Always been team Jordan, just switched to LeBron. Eight straight finals. Dude is special. 🐐 #NBAPlayoffs

— Dan Anstey (@Dan_Anstey) May 28, 2018

The Lebron-versus-Jordan debate, and any other like it, should only be about comparing resumes. To not believe LeBron James is better at basketball than Michael Jordan is to basically not believe in human evolution.

— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) May 28, 2018

Give Lebron, Shaq in his prime or Scottie Pippen (1 of the greatest 2 way players ever) & the Bulls shooters (Kerr, Paxson, Armstrong) Lebron may have 7 rings already. & make sure you count all of those 1st round playoff exits for Jordan while counting Lebron’s finals losses. https://t.co/V0JQw3GqAM

— David Mulugheta (@DavidMulugheta) May 28, 2018

But that only fired up the pro-Jordan crowd.

Friendly reminder that Michael Jordan is the GOAT. Period. 🐐

— Carol Roth (@caroljsroth) May 28, 2018

That said, the difference is the Finals. LeBron has represented the weaker team in the Finals at least half the time. He also has had a curious Finals performance (Dallas) and Jordan didn’t. We’ll wind up splitting hairs with these two but ever so slightly, MJ still has it.

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) May 28, 2018

In the midst of the insanity, there were actually some pretty decent jokes too.

Here's the thing: if LeBron had played in Jordan's era he wouldn't have an iPhone with GPS on it and he'd probably get lost on the way to the stadium and couldn't even play.

— Tim Roberts (@21stCenturyTim) May 28, 2018

Lebron never would have survived in michael Jordan’s NBA. Players were 19 feet tall. Players could teleport

— Ed Zitron (@edzitron) May 28, 2018

If LeBron is better than Jordan, then explain to me why Bugs Bunny has never asked for his help in a space game. Can't argue with facts.

— Røb Fee (@robfee) May 28, 2018

It was enough to send Olympian Lolo Jones to bed.

Arrrgggghhh my timeline again!! The Lebron-Jordan debate. https://t.co/qsIaKoIwgM.ever eennnnndddddddd. Jordan not dead I say give him a 8 point advantage for age and let them duke it out to end this ish. Don’t at me I’m going to bed 😂😂🤷🏽‍♀️

— Lolo Jones (@lolojones) May 28, 2018

Thank goodness for Kobe Bryant, who we’re giving the final word.

We can enjoy one without tearing down one. I love what he’s doing. Don’t debate what can’t be definitively won by anyone #enjoymy5 #enjoymj6 #enjoylbjquest

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) May 28, 2018

Originally published as Kobe Bryant settles LeBron James-Michael Jordan furore