Joe Budden rates LeBron James competition to be tougher than that of Michael Jordans
Former rapper and Internet influencer Joe Budden had some basketball takes to share on his podcast. The rapper asserted on the latest episode of The Joe Budden Podcast that 4-time NBA Champion LeBron James played tougher opponents as opposed to 6-time Champion Michael Jordan, who is widely considered to be the “GOAT”.
The LeBron vs MJ for the ‘GOAT’ is among the most debated topics in the sporting world. LeBron James‘ longevity has been jaw-dropping as the 38-year-old continues to put up over 30 points a game in his 20th season and he also recently surpassed Kareem Abdul Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Jordan, on the other hand, is known for his perhaps unbreakable 6-0 record in the Finals.
Jordan’s ’97 and ’98 Finals runs required the Chicago Bulls to get past the Utah Jazz led by 2-time MVP Karl Malone and NBA all-time Assists leader, John Stockton. Budden, though seemed to be unimpressed and Deemed Jordan’s Finals opponents to be “trash”. Some of the notable FInals opponents of the Chicago Bulls include the Los Angeles Lakers in ’91, the Portland Trail Blazers and the Phoenix Suns in ’92 and ’93 respectively. Budden said:
“Roll ’em all in a pack and smoke ’em. All of them teams is trash, stop it. Utah twice, Karl Malone, stop it.”
Budden went on to add that the quality of players LeBron faced were like “killers” as opposed to that of MJ’s. LeBron notably went up against the Golden State Warriors in 4 consecutive Finals from 2015-18. The Warriors featured players like 2x Finals MVP Kevin Durant, 2X MVP Stephen Curry, Ace Shooter Klay Thompson and DPOY Draymond Green. He was quoted as saying:
“He don’t know what it’s like when some killers walk in the gym. Oh sh*t that’s Klay, oh sh*t that’s Steph, Draymond. Oh sh*t, Durant there too. N****s just wildin’ over there.”
LeBron James is 4-6 in the Finals, Michael Jordan on the other hand, 6-0
LeBron James has pulled off victories out of nowhere in the NBA Finals and notably made it 8 consecutive times to the Finals from 2011-18. But his win percentage stands at 40. James encountered losses in 2007, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018. 2 of these were against the Tim Duncan-led San Antonio Spurs while 3 of these were against the Golden State Warriors. Perhaps the quality of competition faced by LeBron is the reason for his record as 9 of the 10 Finals he’s been to have featured an MVP. LeBron’s greatest accomplishment is perhaps the 3-1 comeback against the 73-9 Golden State Warriors in 2016.
Mike Jordan, on the other hand, is undefeated in the Finals. His record is 6-0 which includes 2 three-peats! Jordan’s Chicago Bulls clinched championships from 1991-93 and 1996-98. Although his Finals opponents appear to be less intimidating compared to LeBron’s opponents, Jordan has faced a challenging time in the Eastern Conference. The infamous “Bad Boy Pistons” troubled Jordan from 1988-91. Jordan has described them to be the toughest opponent he’s faced in his career. They won back-to-back championships in 1989 and 90, beating the Bulls in the conference finals on both occasions. The Indiana Pacers led by Reggie Miller are another team that gave the Bulls a run for their money. Although the Bulls overcame them in the 1997 and 98 Conference Finals, it wasn’t without a fight.
The GOAT argument does consider a lot of parameters and the Finals record does give Jordan an edge, but LeBron’s numbers and statistics put him right up there. Although the Eras the 2 superstars played in were different, they kept the viewers thoroughly entertained and expanded the game of Basketball to another dimension.
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