LeBron is a better finisher than Jordan

[Sarcastic]

First off, I said "at the rim" not in the paint.

Secondly, Jordan's paint numbers include his at the rim numbers. LeBron's don't.
If you do the math you get:

32.3% for his in the paint not at the rim #s.

So LeBron's are still much better.

Are you factoring in positional difference? Just like you wouldn't compare ypc of a wide receiver and a tight end without taking position into account, you shouldn't do it for a SG and SF.

[CuterThanRubio]

Are you factoring in positional difference? Just like you wouldn't compare ypc of a wide receiver and a tight end without taking position into account, you shouldn't do it for a SG and SF.

[ShawkFactory]

Are you factoring in positional difference? Just like you wouldn't compare ypc of a wide receiver and a tight end without taking position into account, you shouldn't do it for a SG and SF.

It's a fair point, but Jordan was particularly adept at attacking the rim and finishing. More so than anyone at his position aside from perhaps Wade.

He attacked the rim more than most SFs did.

It'd be more like comparing the YPC of a 6-5 guy on the outside like Mike Evans and a TE like Graham or Gronk.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Are you factoring in positional difference? Just like you wouldn't compare ypc of a wide receiver and a tight end without taking position into account, you shouldn't do it for a SG and SF.

They play what are arguably the two most interchangeable positions in basketball.

But positions are irrelevant when comparing a specific skillset. you don't get charity points for being small. Shaq is a better rim finisher than LeBron even though he's a center.

[bdreason]

It was a lot easier to defend the rim in the 90's.

[OldSchoolBBall]

90-92 isn't peak MJ?

In terms of strictly finishing, I'd say 1990 was his last peak year. His finishing peak was probably 1988-1990, 1991 at the latest. Regardless, the numbers are meaningless, because Lebron "finishes" in wide open lanes with no shotblocking big men inside and no physicality allowed. Put peak MJ in the league from '08-today and he's finishing at a 75% rate too.

[Indian guy]

Not really an argument. The numbers are heavily skewed in his favor for one and the whole "tougher back in the day" talk simply does't fly when league-wide efficiency has remained the same, FT rates have actually gone down, and most importantly, no illegal defense. It has been a lot easier to take away driving lanes post-2001 with teams' ability to overload the strong side and shade. The paint was more packed back in the day, but the perimeter is infinitely more crowded today since you are no longer forced to stick to your man. The "wide open lanes" is just ridiculous hyperbole. Not remotely supported by any on-court evidence. Spacing, if anything, has been worse post-zone legalization..

LeBron shot a career-best at-rim percentage of .792(80% in RS) in the 2014 playoffs while going up against Garnett, Hibbert, Duncan and Splitter. 2 of those 4 ranked in the top 5 in DRPM in 2014. 3 of them ranked in the top 10. 3 of LeBron's 4 opponents in the playoffs that season also ranked in the top 5 defensively. So let's stop pretending he wasn't going to beast against BIGS of past eras too.

[Round Mound]

No doubt. LeBron is arguably the goat rim finisher for a non-big.

Sir Charles is

[Im Still Ballin]

Sir Charles is

Do you consider Charles a SF

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Sir Charles is

Also very arguable. If you consider him a non-big. He's a PF though.

[Round Mound]

Do you consider Charles a SF

Can play both. PF-SF

[Sarcastic]

Sir Charles is

[Round Mound]

Its the truth.

[JebronLames]

If LeBron got the calls Ordan got, he would be shooting 80 % at the rim

[Pointguard]

I'm with Sarcastic here. If Lebron sees DH or Duncan at the rim he's going to pass the ball - even Kobe was much more likely to go harder at those guys than Lebron and YouTube will back me up. Jordan is going hard at bigger, meaner and better defenders like Hakeem, Mutombo and Eaton. Better is not defined by numbers but by opposition. I don't see Lebron trying to get to the rim a lot against the bad boys or the rough and tumble Knicks. DJ and DH are timid guys with the ball but can lead the league in FG%. Hakeem was superior at the rim but never approached some of their FG% numbers.