NBA discourse is often dominated by the debate about whom the NBA’s greatest-ever player is between LeBron James and Michael Jordan . People get passionate about this topic because they want their preferred option to be at the top of the all-time mountain.
The GOAT debate has led many to analyze players' weaknesses, and former NBA mainstay Muggsy Bogues joined the conversation by highlighting LeBron's flaws, particularly his free-throw shooting compared to MJ's 83.5% career average.
“LeBron can’t shoot free throws. I’m not saying that he can’t shoot free throws, but he’s not a great free-throw shooter… I love what LeBron has done in his career, came in at day one, and still kept that status all the way through his 21st year without any blemish on his record,” Bogues said about a potential hole in James’ game on The Mark Jackson Show. “When it comes to the game of basketball, that’s where it separates MJ and LeBron, in terms of the skill set. Michael did not have deficiencies in his game, fundamentally.”
LeBron is a less-than-average free-throw shooter
Although Bron has dominated the NBA for the past two decades, Muggsy raises a fair point about his struggles at the free-throw line. While it can be a weakness, James is still a decent shooter and has expressed his goal of improving to 80% .
LeBron has improved his free-throw shooting over time, hitting 75% during the 2023/24 season. However, in some years, his percentage dipped below 70%, with his lowest being 67.4% in 2016/17.
While not a glaring flaw, teams may still prefer to send him to the line rather than allow easy shots at the rim, though he's far from being a "Hack-a-Shaq" candidate.
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Muggsy believes MJ has a superior skillset
Another point Bogues brought up on the Mark Jackson Show was how fundamentally sound MJ was compared to James. The 5-foot-3 point guard noted how Mike refined his skills over time, mentioning that early in his college career, he struggled to go left but eventually turned it into a solid side of his all-around offensive game.
This remains a point of debate, as many argue that LeBron is the better playmaker and a more complete player, while Jordan, though a capable passer, often prioritized his own scoring.
Every aspect of their games can be scrutinized, fueling constant discussions and heated debates. While there may never be a definitive answer to the GOAT debate, it highlights the absolute greatness of both players.
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