Topics: Lebron James, Michael Jordan, NBA, LA Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Basketball
Widely hailed as the two finest basketball players ever to step foot on an NBA court, LeBron James and Michael Jordan have been the subject of debate among fans for several years.
Many believe Jordan – who won six NBA titles and was named the league's MVP five times – deserves to be considered the greatest of all time in his sport, while others ague James, who is about to begin his 22nd season in the NBA, has eclipsed the former Chicago Bulls star in the GOAT stakes.
Comparing their long lists of individual accolades, team triumphs and NBA records is one way of attempting to argue in favour of either basketball icon. The debate can also be framed through a technical and tactical breakdown of each player's strengths and weaknesses.
Now, the YouTube channel Retro Sports Sims has come up with another way of settling the 'King James' vs 'Air Jordan' discussion.
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Using NBA 2K24's Blacktop simulation game mode, they had virtual versions of basketball's two greatest stars face off in a one-v-one contest.
In a first-to-21 showdown, the video shows James and Jordan battling for supremacy over one side of a virtual outdoor court, with LeBron sporting black T-shirt and shorts with red shoes, while MJ is decked out in all white.
When the contest begins, it's Jordan who starts brightest, swishing trademark mid-range jump shots and dunks to take an early 11-6 lead.
James, the more physically imposing player at 6ft 9ins and 250lbs to Jordans 6ft 6ins and 216lbs, claws his way back into the game by using his size to snatch rebounds and back down his opponent beneath the basket. He reduces his arrears, making it 15-11 in Jordan's favour.
But the 90s megastar soon reestablishes his dominance, stretching his lead back out to 18-12, putting victory in sight.
James rallies again, though. The four-time champion leans into the skills that have seen him named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team five times, stifling Jordan's offence before taking a 21-20 lead.
With a two-point margin required to seal victory, James charges to the basket in typical style and lays in the game-winning bucket, claiming a 22-20 win.
The virtual head-to-head is unlikely to change the minds of fans entrenched on either side of the GOAT debate. It does, though, at least give us a glimpse of what it might have been like to see the two greats do battle in their primes.
