I’ve actually looked into that before as well. LeBron faced very comparable playoff competition to Jordan (by record). LeBron barely edged him out there. And that’s not a good thing for LBJs case, since it recalls the idea of 4 titles in 23 seasons versus Jordan winning 6 in a very short career comparatively. Also, most of LBJs Finals appearances were achieved through the weaker of the two conferences, whereas each of Jordan’s were earned in the tougher of the two conferences. Again, I can do this all day. Smacking around the LBJ arguments is so easy a caveman can do it. There is no GOAT debate, only a preference debate.
By record doesn’t seem like such a great indicator.
And how are you judging that the eastern conference was better during Jordan’s run?
I won’t disagree that the west was better during Lebrons run. But Jordan never beat anyone as good as those Celtics teams Lebron had to go through. Or the spurs and warriors teams he beat in the finals. Nothing like OKC either with Westbrook, Durant and James Harden.
I was alive. I watched. The best team Jordan beat in the eastern conference as a declining Pistons team and the Knicks whose 2nd best player was 1 time all star John Starks. The east wasnt exactly a gauntlet back then either.
The magic had Shaq and Penny. And they made the finals when Jordan retired the first time. But got ran over by the Hakeem rockets.
The Malone/Stockton Jazz were good. But they weren’t on the same level as the steph warriors or duncan spurs or even KG/Allen/Pierce/Rondo celtics.
I love stats and numbers. But this is kind of one of those things…if stats are telling you the 90’s knicks, blazers, suns, sonics were better than any of those teams I just listed…you can go ahead and write them off.
