Comments on: The Michael Jordan Problem

By: Suhrith

Suhrith — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:39:51 +0000

Ya, you’re right. LeBron has to be the finest pure athlete in basketball. I still think he will eventually win a few titles, its a matter of getting one and then a few more will surely follow. But yes, Nowitzki was immense in the Final. He was able to make things happen and exert his will upon the game. But I am not sure how much further the Mavericks can go. They are a pretty old bunch of players and I doubt they can translate this victory into sustained dominance.

By: Suhrith

Suhrith — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:37:01 +0000

Dhananjaya,

Thanks for your comment. Ya, of course, LeBron can in no way be compared with Jordan – in terms of achievements they are miles apart. But I suppose the problem had its genesis in LeBron’s raw gifts. He’s obviously supremely athletic and he’s a hugely talented ball player. He has an excellent all-round game and I suppose people were right to place the high expectations that they did upon him. I think it should also be borne in mind that at LeBron’s current age, Jordan hadn’t won a single title. Of course he has a huge way to go before being mentioned in the same breath as Jordan in terms of pure achievements, but it may well happen in time. I do think even within the Heat, he can be the number one guy – the go-to man if you will – but that said, he will probably never match the sheer awe that Jordan could inspire.

By: Tushar

Tushar — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:42:18 +0000

The problem with the Miami Heat was mostly over-confidence. Arrogance which showed in LeBron James’ behaviour when he had that famous pres conference where he said that the trio of James, Wade and Bosh would win not one, not two, not three……..not eight titles but nine titles together. Whether James prophecy comes true or not remains to be seen, at least it dint happen this year. There are ‘the nest syndromes’ in every sport, footballers often struggle with being labelled the next Maradonna, Pele, Zidane. But that’s the true mark of great sportsman, he or she creates his or her own niche. Their own legacy. LeBron is more than capable of doing that. I don’t think there are too many better athletes than LeBron James in ay sport.
Jordan is Jordan. Period. In fact I feel that Nowitzki displayed more Jordan-esque skill and grit throughout NBA Playoff Finals. Playing with a torn tendon in his hand is quite comparable to Micheal Jordan playing that legendary game where he had a high fever and quite literally collapsed on the court as soon as the final buzzer went off.

By: Dhananjaya

Dhananjaya — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 11:38:47 +0000

Suhrith, it’s surely ridiculous to even compare LeBron with Jordan at this point of time?

It is indeed very sad if his anointment as the next Jordan, and all the hype generated by the media blinds people to the fact that he needs to surpass at least 15 other players before he can be considered as good as Jordan.

And that’s as a first option. Which arguably he may never do given that he’s practically made the choice to be a second option with Miami. He could of course have his share of immortality as one of the best second options of all time. But he’d have to surpass some 10 other players for that too.

At this point in time, he’s probably at the level of a well-rounded Dominique Wilkins.