The debate over who is the greatest player in NBA history will most likely never be resolved. However, one comparison between the two has the potential to yield a consensus: which star aged better. 

Jordan played for 15 years, while LeBron has 21 (and counting). Jordan took three years off before returning for his final season at 39. He was still playing at a high level and had a strong claim to be the finest 39-year-old to ever play in the league. LeBron, who turns 39 midway through the 2023-24 season, is likely to take over that title by the end of the season.  

LeBron is coming off a tremendous season in which he averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game, earning his 19th All-Star appearance.

Basketball-Reference used those figures to forecast his stats for the 2023-24 season. Here’s how they compared to Jordan during his final season. 

LeBron’s productivity at this point in his career is simply unique. No player has come close to preserving his standing as a top ten player, as he was in our top 30 player rankings entering the season. 

Jordan’s age-39 season is also not to be taken lightly. Despite knee difficulties, he played in all 82 games and averaged 37 minutes per game. If this were to happen this season, he would comfortably lead the league in minutes.

Jordan’s teammate Ty Lue said on The Pivot Podcast that Jordan never missed a practice that season, arriving early and virtually playing on one leg. 

According to Basketball-Reference, LeBron James will be the 49th player to reach the age of 39, behind Karl Malone, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and other Hall of Fаme players. That list contains 18 current Hall of Fаme players, the majority of whom had fallen off significantly by that age.

Eleven of the 18 had scoring averages below double digits by then. Jordan, Karl Malone, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were the finest of the trio, and they helped the Lakers win the NBA championship that season. Jordan and Abdul-Jabbar were the only players to make the All-Star Game at the age of 39.