Okay, so I saw this debate raging online again – LeBron James versus Michael Jordan. It’s always popping up, right? But this time, I saw a specific angle: comparing their stats at age 34. This got me curious, so I decided to dig in and see what the numbers actually said.
Getting Started: Finding the Data
First things first, I needed the data. The plan is find the stats, check them, and make my own stats table.
I started by hitting up some of the big sports sites. It took a bit of searching to find exactly what I wanted – season-by-season stats, not just career totals. I really wanted to isolate that age 34 season for both players.
Checking The Data
The raw data for LeBron at 34(2018-2019, LAL):
- Games Played: 55
- Points Per Game: 27.4
- Rebounds Per Game: 8.5
- Assists Per Game: 8.3
- Field Goal Percentage: 51.0%
- 3-Point Percentage: 33.9%
- Free Throw Percentage: 66.5%
- Steals Per Game:1.3
- Block Per Game:0.6
The raw data for MJ at 34(1997-1998, CHI):
- Games Played: 82
- Points Per Game: 28.7
- Rebounds Per Game: 5.8
- Assists Per Game: 3.5
- Field Goal Percentage: 46.5%
- 3-Point Percentage: 23.8%
- Free Throw Percentage: 78.4%
- Steals Per Game:1.7
- Block Per Game:0.5
My Own Stats Table
After I checked the data from some sports website, I put the key stats side-by-side in a simple table to make it easier to compare:
| Statistic | LeBron James (Age 34) | Michael Jordan (Age 34) |
|---|---|---|
| Games Played | 55 | 82 |
| Points Per Game | 27.4 | 28.7 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 8.5 | 5.8 |
| Assists Per Game | 8.3 | 3.5 |
| Field Goal % | 51.0% | 46.5% |
| 3-Point % | 33.9% | 23.8% |
| Free Throw % | 66.5% | 78.4% |
| Steals Per Game | 1.3 | 1.7 |
| Block Per Game | 0.6 | 0.5 |
My Thoughts After Crunching the Numbers
Honestly, it’s incredibly close! MJ edged out LeBron in scoring at that age, but LeBron was a way better rebounder and playmaker. And LeBron shot better from the field and from three, but MJ was better from the free-throw line. Also, MJ played a full season and James only played 55 games.
It really just confirmed what I already kinda thought – both of these guys were absolute monsters, even at 34. Picking a “winner” is almost impossible, it depends on what you value more in a player’s game.
