Basketball: Michael Jordan and Lebron James Essay

Submitted By dbailey243
Words: 1586
Pages: 7
Open Document
Evolution of Basketball
The constantly evolving game of basketball has been revolutionized by a few players who brought new styles of play to the court. The recent eras of basketball technique and style can be broken down into three very basic twenty-year periods. The time period from 1960 to 1980 can called the modernization of basketball. During this time period, one dominant player, Wilt Chamberlain, revolutionized the game of basketball. Known as the era of finesse, the years 1980-2000 housed one dominant player, Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan changed the game by combining finesse with incredible jumping ability to allow guards to play above the rim. The current era, 2000 to the present, happens to be an era that combines fast-paced, power basketball with incredible defensive skills. Athletes like Lebron James have been a source of this new playing style. The game of basketball has changed greatly in a sixty year time period because of the way Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, and Lebron James have impacted the game. When he arrived on the scene, Wilt Chamberlain was one of the largest players the game had ever seen. He measured in at six-feet eleven, inches and almost 300 pounds ("Wilt”). Basketball had never seen a player with his size and strength, and he quickly earned the nickname “Wilt the Stilt”. Chamberlain “modernized” with his sheer size and the way he played. While not a good free-throw shooter, Wilt would simply throw the ball towards the rim, take two steps towards the goal, grab the rebound, and dunk the basketball ("Wilt”). While Chamberlain did not invent “dunking”; he incorporated this powerful move into his arsenal successfully. The combination of his size and ability to dunk began a slow change in the basketball world.
Wilt remained unstoppable in the years that he played because of his sheer size and strength. His debut game as a Kansas Jayhawk, Wilt scored 52 points, shattering the previous record, followed by an NCAA championship later in the season ("Wilt”). Wilt did not add aggression to the game; in fact, Wilt leaned more toward a gentle personality. This lack of aggression did not mean a lack of competiveness. The coach of the 76ers, Larry Brown said, "Wilt was a tremendous individual, I really got to know him when I was coaching at UCLA. He spent a lot of time with the team. As far as basketball, he changed the way the game is played through his gentle competitiveness and dominance in the paint" (“Wilt”).f Chamberlain became the highest scorer to date in the NBA, averaging just over fifty points per game his second season. Basketball had never seen a player of this caliber, and had no answer to it, except to adapt and become more like him. Because of Chamberlain’s impact on the game of basketball, the NCAA and NBA were forced to create new rules to even the playing field.
The NBA saw the impact Wilt made inside the paint and decided to attempt to slow down his scoring by widening the lane to keep him further away from the rim. Goaltending, established because of Wilt’s ability to block above the rim shots, kept him from blocking a shot close to the rim. Wilt’s impact on basketball set the stage for the NBA we have today and paved the way for the great players of today. Players like Michael Jordan have built upon the foundation Wilt Chamberlain created to elevate the game to new levels. The most competitive player on the court, Michael Jordan, hated to lose. Jordan displayed this element of competitiveness through small guards playing “above the rim”. This revolutionized the game because until Michael changed traditional basketball, specific set positions for each player rarely changed. For example, a shooting guard did not normally drive the basketball inside the lane on a larger opponent. Most guards would wait for a pass around the three-point line and shoot a jump shot instead. Jordan, one of the first to effectively get the ball around the three-point line and drive in the lane,
Show More

Related Documents: Basketball: Michael Jordan and Lebron James Essay

Lebron James Vs Michael Bordan Essay

intangible mark in the world if no one has even come close to it? In the sport of basketball, Michael Jordan, a hall of fame inductee and six time NBA champion, is a combination of the king and that intangible mark. He is known across the world as the greatest player ever, whose basketball level is unreachable thanks to his killer instinct, athleticism, and God given abilities. Nevertheless, as of late, Lebron James, a four time MVP and three time NBA champion, is being acknowledged for playing at…

Words 1151 - Pages 5

Essay on Best Players in the World

National Basketball Association (NBA) has been a tool to help many players become famous and wealthy. For some players, if they were not a part of this association, they may have ended up in jail, prison or even dead. For most players the NBA has helped them find a better way of life. Michael Jordan is an example of a success story in basketball and the NBA. One of the greatest debates right now in modern time sports is who the greatest basketball player in NBA history is, Michael Jordan is that…

Words 2382 - Pages 10

Michael Jordan Vs. Lebron James

Reeve Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James When most people think about the game of basketball or the NBA, they either imagine Michael Jordan, star player for the Chicago Bull in 1984-2003, or LeBron James, Current star player for the Miami Heat in 2010. Due to their athletic performances, people across the world wonder if LeBron James is better than six time champion hall of famer, Michael Jordan. To evaluate this world-wide controversy, by comparing and contrasting Michael Jordan and LeBron James by,…

Words 598 - Pages 3

Compare And Contrast Essay On Michael Bordon Vs Jordan

ESSAY LeBron VS JORDAN My essay is about two men who enjoy the game of Basketball named Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Most people say Michael Jordan was the best ever to play and other people think LeBron James is bigger and better. The reason I’m writing this is to settle everything. Michael Jordan was drafted 1984 and that’s when LeBron James was BORN and that’s a big difference that’s why it’s hard to tell who’s better. My opinion on who is better is Michael Jordan because you…

Words 426 - Pages 2

Compare and Contrast Essay

Who Will Reign Supreme The greatest basketball player ever Michael Jordan once said “Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” Jordan is a 6 time NBA champion, 5 time most valuable player and Rookie of year. He has reign supreme over every basketball player that has ever played because of his dominance, style of play, leadership, and killer instinct on the court. There is one player…

Words 752 - Pages 4

Comparison Essay

Air Jordan vs. King James "You only need to watch Michael Jordan in the court to know why he is called “His Airness” or “Air Jordan”. A phenomenal athlete who seems to literally soar to the hoop, he is generally considered the greatest basketball player of all time," is what was said about Michael Jordan from the Biography of Michael Jordan on A&E Television Network. Since his first retirement twelve years ago, the NBA has been searching for a player to fill Jordan's shoes and bring the glamour…

Words 642 - Pages 3

Lebron James Persuasive Essay

many people that criticize professional athletes but there is not another athlete more criticized than Mr. Lebron James. Lebron James is one of the most hated athletes of all time due to his questionable actions back in 2010 when he declared on live national television that he was leaving his hometown city to go and join Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat. Lebron James is the greatest basketball player of all time because he was the most dominant player in every year he has played since he was 18 years…

Words 1323 - Pages 6

What Makes Michael Jordan Great

greatest professional athlete of all time is Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan is considered the greatest professional athlete of all time since he changed the game of basketball and sports forever. What made him so unique from other great legends, such as Mohammed Ali, Gretzky, Pelé, Ruth, Federer, and others is that he never gave up and strived for greatness.…

Words 534 - Pages 3

Why Is Michael Jordan Important

The Greatest NBA player of all time Michael Jordan is the greatest NBA player of all time, he is known for his great moves. He holds five Most Valuable Player. (MVP)Michael Jordan is an awesome basketball player, he is a great leader and a ton of kids look up to him. Michael Jordan has worked hard and has accomplished many great things. Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time. “A unanimous decision for Michael Jordan, the greatest player in NBA history.” This quote is…

Words 1017 - Pages 5

Lebroon James Research Paper

wondered how LeBron James became known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time ? LeBron James is one of the most dominant players to ever play the game basketball. LeBron James is also known as one of the greatest athletes to ever play basketball. He is currently playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers and is dominating in the postseason. LeBron is currently a 3x NBA champion, 4x MVP, NBA Rookie of the Year, and many more.LeBron James became of the greatest to ever play basketball because of…

Words 565 - Pages 3