Jordan vs LeBron: MVPs and awards
Jordan has more of the awards for being the best in a single season: five MVPs to LeBron's four, six Finals MVPs to four, ten scoring titles to one and a Defensive Player of the Year award LeBron never won. LeBron has more of the awards that reward lasting: 22 All-Star selections to 14, and three Olympic golds to two.
| Jordan | LeBron | |
|---|---|---|
| Regular-season MVPs | 5 | 4 |
| Finals MVPs | 6 | 4 |
| All-Star selections | 14 | 22 |
| Scoring titles | 10 | 1 |
| Assist titles | 0 | 1 |
| Steals titles | 3 | 0 |
| Defensive Player of the Year | 1 | 0 |
| All-Defensive First Team | 9 | 5 |
| Olympic golds | 2 | 3 |
The MVP years
Jordan won the MVP in 1988, 1991, 1992, 1996 and 1998. LeBron won it in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013. Both were also Rookie of the Year, Jordan in 1985 and LeBron in 2004.
Why the awards split the way they do
Ten scoring titles is the most lopsided line in the whole comparison, and it is partly about role: LeBron spent most of his career as his team's primary passer, and he has the assist title Jordan never won. The defensive awards lean to Jordan, who in 1987–88 became the only guard of the modern era to win Defensive Player of the Year while leading the league in scoring. The All-Star count leans to LeBron simply because he has been an All-Star in more seasons than Jordan played.
Questions
How many MVPs does LeBron have?
Four regular-season MVPs (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013) and four Finals MVPs.
How many MVPs does Jordan have?
Five regular-season MVPs (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998) and six Finals MVPs.
Who has more All-Star selections?
LeBron, with 22 to Jordan's 14, the most in NBA history.
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: The case for Michael Jordan.