LeBron James vs Michael Jordan: How NBA GOATs Match Up After King James in Season Tournament Win

• LeBron James has won the NBA In-Season Tournament with the Lakers
• The veteran won the MVP award after they beat the Indiana Pacers in the final
• The NBA GOAT debate has been revived for the umpteenth time after LeBron's latest accomplishment

The Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA's inaugural In-Season Tournament after a 123-109 win over the Indiana Pacers in Las Vegas on Saturday, December 10.

LeBron James took home the MVP trophy, adding it to a long list of accolades on his resume.

Whenever King James wins another trophy, there's always the temptation to compare him to Michael Jordan. It is an endless GOAT debate which has been raging for years now.

The 38-year-old finished with 24 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two steals. His teammate Anthony Davis had 41 points, 20 rebounds, four assists and five blocks, while Indiana Pacers superstar Tyrese Haliburton finished with 20 points and 11 assists.

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The In-Season Tournament MVP is a testament to James' longevity and brilliance, even at the age of 38. Mind you, James turns 39 this month, per CBS Sports.

As years pass by, the Los Angeles Lakers veteran continues to break more records and defy the odds. This year, in February, he became the NBA's All-time scorer, passing the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Most NBA fans felt the incredible milestone tipped the balance in the debate, but it doesn't look like it.

A few things separate James and Chicago Bulls icon Michael Jordan in the eternal debate. Sports Brief looks at how they stack up.

Jordan vs LeBron regular season accolades

No NBA player has scored more points than LeBron James. Currently, it stands at 39,201 in 1,443 regular season games. Jordan played 1,072 NBA regular season games and retired with 32,292.

Jordan played 15 seasons, while LeBron James is in his 21st NBA season. Here's a summary of how their regular season stacks up.

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Jordan vs LeBron playoff stats

Playoff is where men are separated from boys. For instance, Stephen Curry's playoff performances was questioned by fans and analysts for years, but after winning the Finals MVP in the 2022 NBA Finals, he removed any doubt about his status as one of the greatest players ever.

Jame3s and Jordan have legendary playoff performances and this article will never do justice to their performances in the postseason. Here's a summary of their stats.

Jordan played 179 playoff games in his career, while James has played 282 so far.

Jordan and LeBron accolades

Jordan wins this battle with six titles to James' four. Jordan's six rings came from two three-peats in the 1990s, a feat that is rare these days. The 60-year-old won the Finals MVP in all those championship triumphs.

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Meanwhile, James has won four NBA titles, two with the Miami Heat and one with the Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers. Just like Jordan, he won Finals MVP in all those wins.

The NBA In-Season Tournament just started this season, so only LeBron has won it. Here's a breakdown of their accolades.

If James continues to play into his 40s, he could catch Jordan in some categories, like the NBA Championship, which matters most to NBA fans. Does the NBA In-Season Tournament victory move the needle for James in the GOAT debate?

All stats courtesy of NBA.com.

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James declares himself the GOAT

Sports Brief previously reported on James declaring himself the GOAT of basketball a day before breaking Abdul-Jabbar's long-standing scoring record.

The LA Lakers star has scooped many records and accolades in his long and hugely successful career, and is truly among the debate as one of the greats.

While Michael Jordan has always been considered the best in the sport, James has always been seen as the only player who could challenge the legend.