Scottie Pippen wrong to put LeBron James ahead of Michael Jordan - Part 1
"Michael Jordan is probably the greatest scorer to ever play the game. I may go so far as saying LeBron James may be the greatest player to ever play the game."
It’s official. Scottie Pippen has lost it.
These are quotes by the man who was with Michael Jordan all the way. Pippen was with Jordan when the latter destroyed every defender and every team in the NBA. When Jordan soared higher than anyone had soared before. When Jordan won six NBA world championships with the hitherto un-fancied Chicago Bulls. When Jordan made history and when “his airness” redefined greatness itself.
Sigh!!
It’s disappointing more than anything else to hear this from a man who saw it all first hand. But apparently, he didn’t see it as clearly as the world did.
First off, let’s give LeBron his fair share of credit. He is a beast of a man. The combination of speed and strength that LeBron brings to the table is simply unmatched in history. He was always the “chosen one” and if anyone in the NBA, past present or future, was going to come close to Michael Jordan, it was always going to be King James.
LeBron is easily the best in his era; Kobe Bryant was surpassed a while back now. LeBron’s physicality and his skill mean that there is basically nothing he cannot do on the basketball court. He has won a load of personal accolades. Twice awarded regular season MVP, he has also consistently been named in the All NBA teams and All Defensive teams. And now with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to watch his back, LeBron looks set to win multiple NBA World Championships and dominate the game for years to come.
So what?
Does that make him better then Michael Jordan? h**l No!
Michael Jordan was Michael Jordan. LeBron James is not.
Did Larry Bird, one of two greatest players of that era, not say that, “I think he’s God disguised as Michael Jordan.” After Jordan dropped 62 on the mighty Boston Celtics in a 1986 playoff game?
Or did Magic Johnson, the other all time great from that era, not say, "There's Michael Jordan and then there is the rest of us."?
Quotes like those, from legends like those, are not usually head in any sport let alone basketball. Michael Jordan dominated the game like few sportsmen have done in history of any professional sport and probably no one in a team sport. His name has become a benchmark for excellence. Michael had it all. Ability wise, he was the best defensive player in the game and the best offensive player. He was the complete package and that was just half the reason behind his greatness - because greatness does not come from ability, it comes from achievement.
What Michael Jordan did, he did at a time when nobody even thought it could be done. Some of the stuff was such, that nobody still thinks it can be done. He won the scoring title and the defensive player of the year in the same season. LeBron has won neither this year, and has won just one scoring title in his career.
Disclaimer: The ideas expressed in the article are the writer’s own personal views and has nothing to do with bettor.com’s editorial policy.
Link for Part-2: http://www.senore.com/Scottie-Pippen-wrong-to-put-LeBron-James-ahead-of-Michael-Jordan-Part-2-a72038
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