Jordan vs LeBron at the same age
Through age 35, Jordan was the slightly better scorer at every matching age and won more: he had a title and Finals MVP at 30, 33 and 35. From 36 on there is no comparison, because Jordan played only two seasons past 35, with Washington, while LeBron was still making All-NBA teams at 38 and 39 and was an All-Star at 41.
| Age | Jordan | LeBron |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 32.6 ppg, title, Finals MVP (1992–93) | 25.3 ppg, Finals (2014–15) |
| 31 | Retired, playing baseball (1993–94) | 25.3 ppg, title, Finals MVP (2015–16) |
| 33 | 29.6 ppg, title, Finals MVP (1996–97) | 27.5 ppg, Finals (2017–18) |
| 35 | 28.7 ppg, title, Finals MVP (1997–98) | 25.3 ppg, title, Finals MVP (2019–20) |
| 38 | 22.9 ppg, Wizards (2001–02) | 28.9 ppg, All-NBA (2022–23) |
| 39 | 20.0 ppg, Wizards (2002–03) | 25.7 ppg, All-NBA (2023–24) |
| 41 | Retired | 20.9 ppg, All-Star (2025–26) |
The gap in the middle
Jordan's career has a hole at 30 and 31: he retired in October 1993 and spent a season and a half playing minor-league baseball before returning in March 1995. Nobody knows what those seasons would have looked like, and his supporters argue it should count as a choice, not a decline.
The years after 35
LeBron's late career has no real precedent. He averaged 28.9 points at 38, and his 20.9 at 41 came on 51.5 percent shooting. Whether those years should count fully, partly or not at all in a greatest-of-all-time argument is the question at the heart of the longevity debate.
Questions
How old was Jordan when he retired?
He retired three times: at 30 in 1993, at 35 in 1998, and for good at 40 in 2003, after two seasons with the Washington Wizards.
How many seasons did each play?
Jordan played 15 NBA seasons. LeBron played 23 through 2025–26 and has signed on for a 24th.
Who was better at 35?
Both won the title and Finals MVP at 35, Jordan in 1998 and LeBron in 2020. Jordan averaged 28.7 points that season and LeBron 25.3.
Statistics are drawn from the NBA's official records and Basketball-Reference and are current through the 2025–26 regular season unless noted. LeBron James is still active, so his career totals change. Spotted an error? Tell us.
The full argument: Longevity: fifteen seasons against twenty-three.