’10 LeBron James = ’91 Michael Jordan?

The Lakers won 5 Championships in the 1980’s. Magic Johnson, then 32 years old and in his 12th Season, was the reigning NBA Alpha Dog coming off of two consecutive MVP seasons (along with everything he did in the 80’s). Michael Jordan was in his 7^th year and looking for his first title. Jordan had proven he was a superstar after winning an MVP award in 1988 (2^nd one in 1991), multiple scoring titles, and with his general awe-inspiring play. However, in order to become the new alpha dog in the NBA he had to win a title.

It was fitting that the Lakers and The Bulls played in the 1991 Finals. Jordan got a chance to overthrow Magic directly. The Bulls won the series in 5 games. Jordan averaged 30.6 PPG, 11.4 APG, 6.6 RPG and gave us this all-time great highlight. The rest is history. Jordan is the now widely considered the Greatest of All-Time (G.O.A.T)

The Lakers won 4 Championships in the 2000’s. Kobe Bryant, now 31 years old and in his 14^th season, is the reigning NBA Alpha Dog coming off an NBA MVP and NBA Title over the last two seasons (along with everything else he did in the 2000’s). LeBron is in his 7^th year and looking for his first title. LeBron has proven that he is a superstar after winning an MVP in 2009 (2^nd one coming this year), a scoring title, and with his general awe-inspiring play. However, in order to become the new alpha dog in the NBA he has to win a title. Kind of eerie, isn’t it?

After LeBron put on an offensive clinic (40 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists) in game 2 of his 1^st round series against The Bulls (ironically) some sports writers (Skip Bayless) asserted that LeBron would not win another title if he has to carry that kind of offensive load during the playoffs. In 1991 there were similar questions about Jordan: Can a scoring champion win a championship? We know what Jordan did, but what will LeBron do?

It is highly probable that LeBron will have to go through Kobe Bryant and the Lakers in the NBA Finals to get it his first title. If this happens then we might literally be watching ‘Jordan: The sequel’. In 1991 I was too young to really appreciate Michael Jordan taking his first step to becoming Michael Jordan. Luckily I may have a shot at watching it happen, almost literally, all over again with LeBron James. Time will tell.

What do you think? Will Lebron do it?

One more cool ’91 Jordan and ’10 LeBron similarity:

Cleveland’s current conference rival/nemesis is the Orlando Magic. In 1991 the Bulls conference rival/nemesis were the Detroit Pistons. Orlando Center Dwight Howard won his 2^nd consecutive Defensive Player of the Year Award this season. Pistons Forward Dennis Rodman won his 2^nd consecutive Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1991.

Can you think of any other similarities?

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