Michael Jordan Voted Greatest Player Of All Time Over LeBron James In Latest Anonymous NBA Player Poll, But Gap Is Only 3.8%

Michael Jordan has been voted as the greatest player of all time over LeBron James in the latest anonymous NBA player poll completed by The Athletic. 

However, the gap is only 3.8%. 

“Do you think MJ’s getting nervous? King James almost took his (player poll) GOAT crown this time around, and he’ll do just that next year if this voting trend continues,” The Athletic wrote. “In this endless debate, His Airness has experienced serious slippage for the third consecutive poll. Jordan had a huge edge in 2019 (73 percent to LeBron’s 11.9 percent) and was still nearly doubling him in 2023 (58.3 percent to 33 percent). Now the gap is only 3.8 percent.”

Jordan has career averages of 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists. He won five regular-season MVPs, six championships, six Finals MVPs and 10 scoring titles. 

Meanwhile, LeBron has career averages of 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists. He’s a four-time regular-season MVP, a four-time champion and a four-time Finals MVP.

LeBron, 39, became the leading scorer in NBA history last season. 

Jordan is first in NBA history in points per game, fourth in steals, fifth in field goals and second in player efficiency rating. He still holds the NBA record for most points (63) scored in a playoff game. 

The Chicago Bulls went 6-0 in the NBA Finals and three-peated twice during the Jordan era. Jordan is also one of three players to win MVP and DPOY in the same season. Hakeem Olajuwon and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the other two. 

LeBron, who grew up idolizing Jordan, is first in NBA history in points, fourth in assists, eighth in steals, fifth in triple-doubles, seventh in points per game, third in player efficiency rating and second in field goals. 

LeBron is the only player in NBA history to rank top-five all-time in points and assists, the only player to win three Finals MVPs with three different teams and the only player to score 40,000 points. 

LeBron has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers.