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Bill Laimbeer says Michael Jordan couldn’t lead 2015 Cavs to Finals

By FanSided Staff

Aug 26, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Former basketball great Michael Jordan sits in Roger Federer
Aug 26, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Former basketball great Michael Jordan sits in Roger Federer /
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New York Liberty head coach Bill Laimbeer weighs in on the Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James debate and his response may shock you.

The former Detroit Pistons center and current New York Liberty head coach Bill Laimbeer weighs in on the LeBron James and Michael Jordan — “who is better?” — debate. While Laimbeer does have experience playing against Jordan and got to see MJ’s greatness first hand, he doesn’t think he is quite as good as LeBron James.

On the Dan Patrick Show, when asked whether or not he would take MJ or King James, Laimbeer said he would take LeBron without a hesitation. He then continued to explain himself. After all, LeBron is the best basketball player in the NBA right now, so there is certainly an argument to be had here.

Laimbeer’s main point was that LeBron’s supporting cast this year isn’t anywhere close to that of the Chicago Bulls of the 1990’s. Jordan had Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman. LeBron has Kyrie Irving and Matthew Dellavedova. LeBron’s ability to carry a team to victory in many different ways make him the better candidate in the eyes of Laimbeer. He can rebound, pass the ball, or score better than just about anyone on the floor at any given time. So if the team needs a rebounder (because Kevin Love is injured), LeBron will go get you boards. If Kyrie needs a break, LeBron will start distributing the basketball like he is a point guard himself.

The MJ vs. LBJ debate will rage on for years to come. Who is better and who is more successful will always pop up before the final debate has concluded. Of course, Jordan won six championships in six trips to the finals. LeBron has only won two championships, and he has appeared in the last five NBA final including this year.

I don’t think LeBron will ever truly be accepted as the best basketball player ever, just because of the way Jordan played the game. Even if LeBron wins seven championships, there will always be those fans who still think MJ is the best. Laimbeer is one of the first to hop over to the LeBron train and if the Cavs win it all this year, many others will follow suit.

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