MJ played in a weak conference as well - how many EC teams won the title other than The Bulls from 1990 to 2004? Zero. When MJ was out of the league and then when his skills diminished the WC dominated the finals.
So what do you call it when after winning multiple championships you pick up the best player in Europe (Kukoc) and then the best defensive player/rebounder in the NBA (Rodman)? And oh yeah - you got Pippen too - who was arguably the second best player in the NBA in the early/mid 90's. Has LeBron ever played with the second best player in the NBA? The season Jordan took off to play minor league baseball The Bulls won 55 games and were one bailout call away against The Knicks from making the conference finals and most likely going to the NBA Finals. By contrast, how many games would The Cavs win this year without LeBron? Maybe 30? The season Jordan came back he literally shot The Bulls out of the playoffs due to his court rust.
LOL - the hand checking rule and the traveling rules were changed during the Jordan era to make the game easier specifically for HIM! John Stockton (as well as many others) even said this on ESPN Radio two weeks ago.
I'm not sure in what context you mean by poor teammate/leader? Statistically LeBron has about 2,600 more assists than Jordan did in his career and they've played a comparable number of games. I think it's well known that Jordan was a bully to his teammates. When Bill Cartwright was traded to Chicago he threatened to kill Jordan when he try to pull his **** on him during practice. And I myself saw many times Jordan show up his teammates during a game. LeBron seems to be more a positive reinforcement guy, he takes a mentorship role with young players on other teams (I think we've all seen him do this after games).
LeBron (according to him) spends literally one million dollars a year on his body (food, conditioning, therapy). If he was using PED's I imagine that amount would be a lot less. But who knows for sure. Just like who knows for sure why Jordan really left basketball in 1993 and his association with mobsters and other shady individuals and his huge gambling debts and getting fleeced by golf course hustlers and the speculation behind the murder of his father....
* The Bulls dominated the league throughout the 90s, his dominance outlasted many HOFers careers. Its pretty well established that the East throughout the 80s-90s (especially early-mid) was the superior conference. Its also well established that the Eastern conference Lebron has competed in has been trash for 10 years.
* Kukoc was basically a 6th man and Rodman was ancient. Pippen was amazing no arguments there but ask yourself this; would you have heard of Pippen if he was drafted somewhere other than the Bulls? or was he molded by the daily battles against Jordan? Lebron has played with more Allstars than MJ and Pippen was never the 2nd best player in the league EVER. It also speaks to allowing your FO to do its job instead of leveraging your positon, signing 1-2yr contracts to strong arm the FO.
* Jordan left and the Bulls were successful.... This is CULTURE! A culture cultivated by MJ (and Phil Jackson). Its why the Spurs succeeded when Duncan left. Lebrons teams fall apart when he leaves because he doesn't create that winning culture, a culture of sustained excellence.
* You're kidding yourself if you want to compare eras.
MJ: Played against men in the most physical era of basketball
LBJ: Plays against kids, the "one and done era" in a league that has adopted small ball.
* MJ was a bully but got the best out of his teammates. If they couldnt handle it they werent cut out for Finals basketball of that era, they couldnt compete against the Pistons, Celtics of the world. #TrialbyFIRE
LBJ is a passive aggressive premadonna that has driven out an Allstar teammate while significantly effecting the confidence of numerous others, IT, Crowder, Hood, Love this year alone.
* You think PEDs at the extent LBJ is reported to be using is cheap? His name was found on the same list as A-Rod, thats fact. And sure MJ was suspended by the league for gambling... so what?