Why the Michael Jordan-LeBron James Finals debate is more nuanced that it seems

Central to the Michael Jordan-LeBron James debate is the number six.

Six NBA titles during Jordan - and at six tries. Six NBA Finals losses for James, against maiden three victories.

On its face, any debate of whom is greater starts (and always ends) there. nevertheless during is there more nuance to James' Finals record - while held up against Jordan's - worthy considering?

column he argued that the verdict is distant from out above who the GOAT really is, and that will remain the illustration until James finishes his career, which is currently paused at the middle of Year 17. " data-reactid="19">NBC Sports' Tom Haberstroh thinks so. at fact, at a recent column he argued that the verdict is distant from out above who the GOAT really is, and that will remain the illustration until James finishes his career, which is currently paused at the middle of Year 17. 

Bulls, and two with the Wizards. Here's how the two stack up at pick advanced metrics highlighted by Haberstroh:" data-reactid="20">Jordan played 15 seasons ago leaving the athletics during good - 13 with the Bulls, and two with the Wizards. Here's how the two stack up at pick advanced metrics highlighted by Haberstroh:

Haberstroh acknowledged the flimsiness of catch-all statistics such during these during the ultimate barometer of a player's greatness. And with 246 more games (and counting) amassed than Jordan among the ordinary season and playoffs, it's habitual that James used to exclaim on an edge at cumulative vocation statistics such during become Shares or VORP. 

(In fact, crack down each by medium become shares by season, and Jordan holds a 16.92-16.89 edge, a hair-thin margin. nevertheless during availability is an ability, and James' longevity, injury aversion and extended, multi-faceted choice are foundational to GOAT argument.)

Lakers sit atop the Western Conference - and just three games back of the Bucks during the league's best record - nevertheless during a highway to a chip that could quality matchups with the James Harden and Russell Wesbtrook-led Rockets, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George-led Clippers and Giannis Antetokounmpo's Bucks. That's no certain ring." data-reactid="25">What James isn't apt to ever become the edge at his rings; from epoch 36 on, he used to consume to double his title believe to perform so, and at a league during talented at the peak during it's been at recent memory. if or whenever the 2019-20 season resumes, James' Lakers sit atop the Western Conference - and just three games back of the Bucks during the league's best record - nevertheless during a highway to a chip that could quality matchups with the James Harden and Russell Wesbtrook-led Rockets, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George-led Clippers and Giannis Antetokounmpo's Bucks. That's no certain ring.

So, say James ends his vocation with four titles - award or accept - nevertheless during with a losing record at the Finals. Is that something we to include against him?

In this vein, Haberstroh is hasty to point out that both James and Jordan consume appeared at 13 postseasons, nevertheless during Jordan failed to come the Finals at his trips more always than he made them. James, meanwhile, has finished at the last two at nine out of 13 of his playoff seasons. That is really a staggering feat

Celtics - all-time large squads. at years four over six, they fell to the evil Boy Pistons back-to-back-to-back at the mount of their powers. hardly anything to include against him. His seventh and last playoff beat came at the hands of the Orlando Magic at 1995, back returning from his first retirement and nevertheless outfitted in a baseball player's physique. His first came to the Milwaukee Bucks (granted, at a first-round sweep) at his rookie year." data-reactid="28">But context is important here. crack down Jordan's flamed-out playoff runs one-by-one and explanations (not necessarily excuses) corn up during nearly each one. at his second and third years, his Bulls crossed paths with the 1986 and 1987 Celtics - all-time large squads. at years four over six, they fell to the evil Boy Pistons back-to-back-to-back at the mount of their powers. hardly anything to include against him. His seventh and last playoff beat came at the hands of the Orlando Magic at 1995, back returning from his first retirement and nevertheless outfitted in a baseball player's physique. His first came to the Milwaukee Bucks (granted, at a first-round sweep) at his rookie year.

Dallas Mavericks at 2011, while he averaged 17.8 points and four turnovers per athletics at a sequence the Miami Heat's then freshly-minted large 3 squandered a 2-1 guide in. nevertheless during the number of James' Finals opponents undoubtedly exceeds Jordan's, a point that always gets forgotten at flippant "3-6" arguments." data-reactid="29">None of those defeats convey that too sting as, during example, James' Finals beat to the Dallas Mavericks at 2011, while he averaged 17.8 points and four turnovers per athletics at a sequence the Miami Heat's then freshly-minted large 3 squandered a 2-1 guide in. nevertheless during the number of James' Finals opponents undoubtedly exceeds Jordan's, a point that always gets forgotten at flippant "3-6" arguments.

brilliant piece from Mike Prada at Five Thirty Eight, which goes eight layers deeper above full the points strike at here):" data-reactid="30">Here's a breakdown of each's Finals opposition, sorted by Net Rating (concept inspired by this clever division from Mike Prada at Five Thirty Eight, which goes eight layers deeper above full the points strike at here):

*in a lockout-shortened 2011-12 season, the Thunder went 47-19 at 66 ordinary season games - a 58-win rate extrapolated to an 82-game slate

Based above that desk (which fashion purely statistically speaking), James faced the three toughest Finals opponents of the two at the '15, '16 and '17 Warriors, and the three weakest at the '11 Mavericks, '12 Thunder and '18 Warriors (an obvious example where the numbers and eyes don't queue up). James hit the toughest opponent at the '16 Warriors, nevertheless during fell to the flimsiest at the '11 Mavericks. That, at least, passes the sniff test.