When the Lakers roll into Chicago, you can count on two things: a packed United Center and the inevitable rekindling of the LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan debate. Monday night’s matchup between Los Angeles and the Bulls brought both, but this time, it was Lakers head coach JJ Redick who added some thoughtful fuel to the fire.
“I’ve always said the greatest players in any era would be great players in any era,” Redick said before tip-off. “It’s hard to compare eras and play styles, and to me it’s even harder to compare stats.
Jordan is one, LeBron is one, Jordan is two, LeBron is two, however you want to do it. To me, they’re the two greatest players of all time.”
Redick’s take doesn’t try to settle the debate as much as it reframes it. Rather than choosing sides, he highlights just how rare it is to see greatness that transcends generations. And in LeBron’s case, Redick has had the unique opportunity to witness that greatness up close.
“I think the biggest thing is just, you hear stories about how LeBron prepares, and I never was his teammate so I didn’t get to experience it first-hand,” Redick continued. “But now, being around him the last year and a half, he’s a maniac. He’s maniacal about his approach and preparation, and every single day is centered around how do I prepare my body and my mind to play the next game.”
That obsessive commitment to preparation is what’s kept LeBron James not just relevant, but elite, in his 23rd NBA season. Let that sink in-twenty-three seasons. At 41 years old, he’s the league’s oldest active player, and yet he’s still producing at a level that would be impressive for someone half his age.
The milestones keep piling up, too. LeBron recently became the first player in NBA history to surpass 51,000 combined points between the regular season and playoffs. He already owns the all-time scoring crown, and he’s still adding to it.
This season, James has suited up for 27 games, averaging just over 33 minutes a night. His stat line?
A cool 22.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. He’s shooting 50.8% from the field, 33.1% from beyond the arc, and 74.2% from the free-throw line.
These aren’t just solid numbers-they’re All-Star caliber, especially for someone in his third decade of professional basketball.
Speaking of All-Stars, while LeBron wasn’t voted in as a starter this year, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where the coaches don’t select him for what would be his 22nd All-Star appearance. That would be yet another record in a career defined by them.
So yes, the LeBron vs. MJ debate will always be part of the NBA’s cultural DNA-especially when the Lakers visit Chicago.
But rather than trying to crown a definitive GOAT, maybe it's time to appreciate the rare air both men occupy. Because what LeBron is doing right now, at this stage of his career, isn’t just remarkable-it’s historic.