It’s a classic sports debate: In their respective primes, who would win in a game of 1-on-1 — Michael Jordan or LeBron James?
The key word there, of course, being “prime.” However, there’s a collection of NBA fans who think Jordan could take James in a game of 1-on-1 … right now. Let us remind you before moving on that Jordan is 52 years old, while the 30-year-old James is arguably the best player on the planet right now.
However, a recent poll conducted by Public Policy Polling reports 34 percent of NBA fans believe current-day Jordan could beat current-day James. That thinking is suspect, to say the least. As Yahoo! Sports points out, another 12 percent of the 1,471 people polled were “not sure” who would win.
That, to put it bluntly, is insane.
The case to be made for Jordan as the greatest of all time is clear. However, when people get old, they get worse at things like playing basketball. So it stands to reason that even MJ’s play has slipped in recent years (the Washington Wizards run, anyone?), while James is in his prime. We feel like we shouldn’t have to lay this out so blatantly, but then we remember the 34 percent, and maybe it’s needed.
Thumbnail photo via Sam Sharpe/USA TODAY Sports Images
