The Philippine Star

LeBron vs Jordan: Mirror, mirror on the wall...

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As the first player to lead three different teams to NBA titles, LeBron James has revived the question of whether he or Michael Jordan is the league’s greatestev­er superstar.

“I don’t know,” James said. “I’m going to let you guys talk about it.”

James captured his fourth NBA title in his 10th finals appearance when the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Miami Heat on Sunday to close out the series, 4-2.

After three months in the bubble, the Lakers flew home to LA from Florida Monday. Fire trucks shot water over the plane before it came to a complete stop on the tarmac.

James was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player for the fourth time. The only player with more finals MVP awards is Jordan with six.

Jordan won six titles in six NBA Finals appearance­s for the Chicago Bulls during the 1990s.

Jordan’s game evolved over time, the high-leaping playmaker who could single-handedly dominate foes giving way to a veteran who could get the most from every teammate and help carry the load during his second title trilogy.

Taking full advantage of the era of big money and free agency that Jordan largely created, James maximized his money and turned multiple teams into champions, his role evolving over the years as did his supporting cast.

Where James is clearly king is off the court. His education initiative­s and social activism are a far cry from Jordan’s infamous comment that “Republican­s buy sneakers, too,” when asked why he was not more politicall­y active.

James has won his latest title at 35, the same age when Jordan won his last crown. But James is just getting started with the Lakers.

“This never gets old,” he said.

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