Michael Jordan (-104) Lebron James (+8.5)

[HacheMan]

[h=1]JORDAN OR LEBRON, VEGAS STYLE[/h]
[h=1]Just how dominant were Michael Jordan's teams?

If you add up every point spread in every NBA Finals game played by either player, Jordan would be favored by 104 points. LeBron would be an 8.5-point underdog

(via ESPN Stats & Info).
[/h]

 

[RenoChazz]

Does that mean Jordan was better, or does it mean Jordan had better teams?

 

[PatsFan1283]

Does that mean Jordan was better, or does it mean Jordan had better teams?

Mostly a function of more parity in sports over time. Superbowl and playoff game spreads are also smaller now than 20-25 years ago.

The gap between the best and the rest is usually smaller now than it was back then. Whether it be the 9ers, Bulls or Oilers, the edge they had on their opponents was bigger than teams get today.

 

[TheComputerGroup]

If social media was around during Jordan's era, I can't even imagine if its possible for him to be more popular?

Or would it have been a pitfall during his time?

 

[PatsFan1283]

If social media was around during Jordan's era, I can't even imagine if its possible for him to be more popular?

Or would it have been a pitfall during his time?

Probably sucks for all the athletes I'm sure. Can't even do coke and bang models in private.

In the current media climate someone like Kobe with his issue in Colorado, I don't think he would've just played through that. I think the team would've had to bite the bullet and deactivate him.

To answer your question though, he would've been less revered I'm sure. All athletes are less revered now as the curtain has been pulled back on sports and the athletes aren't seen quite as mythical as past generations. Something like Pippen carrying him to the bench during the flu game would just be seen as corny now and there would probably be like 500 meme's about it the next day insinuating that they were gay lovers.

Ali with all his antics would've been the most hated man in America, no doubt about it.

 

[5teamparlay]

Basketball was a team sport last I checked...

LeBron got to finals earlier in career...

 

[HacheMan]

Does that mean Jordan was better, or does it mean Jordan had better teams?

Both

 

[PatsFan1283]

If anyone cares, I'd imagine most of that -104 would be attributed to '96 vs the Sonics and the '92 team vs Portland.

The other series the Bulls actually weren't big favorites in, as amazing as that sounds.

 

[TheComputerGroup]

IMO, Jordan amazed the fans by his amazing moves & his athleticism, & accuracy of his shots more than Lebron has.......watching Jordan was poetry in motion, i never got that feeling from watching Lebron.......of course this is just my opinion.

 

[HacheMan]

IMO, Jordan amazed the fans by his amazing moves & his athleticism, & accuracy of his shots more than Lebron has.......watching Jordan was poetry in motion, i never got that feeling from watching Lebron.......of course this is just my opinion.

It's most people's opinion who have seen both play.

Not all, but most...

 

[TomGshotput]

Ali with all his antics would've been the most hated man in America, no doubt about it.

Was the Nation of Islam more loved in the 70s than it is today?