Jordan or LeBron?

We talk about comparing Jordan and LeBron all the time. The differences in eras, mentality, stats, and championships are always the catalyst of the conversation. In my own opinion, influence and representation is the most important, the most valuable factors when justifying who the greatest of all time is.

Both Jordan and LeBron have impeccable performances, accomplishments, and stats. Jordan did more in a tougher league and in a shorter time. While James has longevity and consistency over two straight decades. Jordan made the fancy shoes, had the acrobatic skills, globalized the game. LeBron has his own brand, established his own school, an honorable gentleman, and has started many nonprofit organizations.

They are two generational athletes who took full advantage of their opportunities and made the most of them. Although there were many who came before them that set the stage for future stars.

Many trailblazers came before Jordan and LeBron like Magic, Bird, Dr. J, Kareem, or the Big O. But one trailblazer that was more like a founding father of basketball was Bill Russell.

He has the championships, the college national title, and the most prestigious in Olympic gold. The mvps, all star appearances, the highest basketball IQ, playing decades above his time. Some say he never played against talent but he has played against all-stars, over 20 hall of famers, athletes with grit and perseverance.

But the most paramount and prominent challenges that he took upon like many others…