Fansided

John Starks settles the MJ vs. LeBron debate

By Scott Rogust

7 May 1996: Center Luc Longley of the Chicago Bulls and guard John Starks of the New York Knicks fight for the ball during a game played at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won the game, 91-80. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger/Allsport
7 May 1996: Center Luc Longley of the Chicago Bulls and guard John Starks of the New York Knicks fight for the ball during a game played at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won the game, 91-80. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger/Allsport /
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The New York Knicks legend gives his perspective on the Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James debate in an exclusive interview with FanSided.

The NBA Playoffs are beginning to dwindle down, and the Los Angeles Lakers have clinched a spot in the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2010 after defeating the Houston Rockets in five games. Star LeBron James is now competing in the 11th Conference Finals of his career, but this is his first as a member of the Western Conference.  Even with this latest addition to the history books, NBA fans can’t help but bring up the never-ending “LeBron vs. Michael Jordan” debate.

In an exclusive interview with FanSided, former New York Knicks guard John Starks gave his opinion on the “LeBron vs. MJ” argument, and says it’s really difficult to compare the two, since they’re two different athletes from two different eras.

“I think you can’t compare the two because they’re two totally different players,” said Starks. “Obviously LeBron is six-eight and 260-pounds. He’s more, and people always say, he’s more like a Magic Johnson, but more athletic, in that sense. Michael’s just a killer, basically. His wheel and his athleticism and what made him so special, and I tell people this, he was probably one of the most well-balanced athletes out there on the court.”

Starks does say who he’d choose between the two, however

While Starks did say that it’s hard to compare Jordan and James, we did ask him who he’d take if he had the first-overall pick in the NBA Draft. The answer was simple for Starks: Michael Jordan.

“No question Michael,” Starks said. “I always say if your life depended on it and you had him or LeBron taking the last shot, which one would you want to take the last shot? A majority of people say Michael, so that’s how I will put it.”

John Starks New York Knicks Mitchell & Ness Hardwood Classics Player Snapback Hat
John Starks New York Knicks Mitchell & Ness Hardwood Classics Player Snapback Hat /

John Starks New York Knicks Mitchell & Ness Hardwood Classics Player Snapback Hat

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While the debate on who’s the better basketball player never faded out, it definitely received new light this past spring upon the release of ESPN’s docu-series, “The Last Dance.” The documentary got a lot of sports fans through quarantine, and allowed them to see never-before-seen footage of Jordan and the Chicago Bulls throughout their dynasty years and their final season together in 1997-98. Fans who never had the privilege of watching Jordan in his prime had the opportunity to see just how clutch he was when it mattered the most. Let’s not forget that Jordan was a perfect 6-0 in the NBA Finals.

The 6-0 argument is often used against James, who is 3-6 in the NBA Finals. Yet, it’s hard to deny that James is a beast once it’s playoff time. LeBron just passed Derek Fisher for most postseason wins by a player in NBA history. Oh, and he passed Jordan on the all-time NBA Playoffs points list, as he tallied 7,177 points prior to the 2020 Western Conference Finals.

dark. Next. Should the Lakers be rooting for the Clippers or Nuggets?

Jordan and James are two completely different players. Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion on who they believe is better, but you can’t deny that they are both two of the best players in NBA history.

John Starks Foundation, which raises funds for high school students striving for higher education, as we’re gearing up for the 25th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic on September 15th.

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