3 Reasons Why LeBron James’ Career Already Matches Michael Jordan’s

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May 21, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; NBA team owner Michael Jordan announces that the Charlotte Bobcats will change their name and branding to the Charlotte Hornets starting in the 2014 2015 season at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

Living Up To The Ghost

Without a doubt, Michael Jordan was one of the greatest players in NBA history. He might even be the greatest. However, what will always be debated is how you define the word. Do you define it by championships? Well, if so, then Jordan isn’t the greatest. Do you define it by stats? If so, Jordan had great career statistics, but there were better players in almost every category. Or do you define it by dominance? If you define it by the latter, then do you leave out the dominance of Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Oscar Robertson?

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Each great player has created their own “ghost,” and LeBron James will be amongst those names one day, but he has already left his own lasting impact on the league. To pursue Jordan’s ghost is only to diminish the career that James has already output.. He’s the most dominant player of our era, and he’s the greatest physical specimen that the NBA has ever seen in terms of size, speed, and athleticism. He’s also one of the smartest players of all time in terms of setting up his career through endorsements, using short contracts to maximize salary/flexibility, and using all of this to influence team officials to build teams according to the way he wants them built.

So does Lebron James need to pursue Jordan’s “ghost?” Not when you take a look at what he’s already done in his career, and what he has yet to do. Even B.J. Armstrong, one of Jordan’s former teammates said it’s not worth chasing “ghosts.” When it’s all said and done, James will likely lead the NBA in many different statistical categories. Points, Assists, Steals, you name it, James name will be among the league leaders. Just like Jordan before him, there might not be another player like LeBron James and the NBA will be a different league because of him.

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There will be many players chasing his “ghost” in years to come. He might even end up being the new GOAT–Greatest Player Of All Time–even without catching Jordan’s ghost.

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