Jeff Teague Claims Michael Jordan and Kevin Durant Fall Behind LeBron James in THIS Department

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James' playmaking and game management are a step above many other greats in NBA history.

Jeff Teague Claims Michael Jordan and Kevin Durant Fall Behind LeBron James in THIS Department

Jeff Teague highlights what LeBron James does better than Kevin Durant and Michael Jordan (Image via FirstSportz)

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The GOAT debate between LeBron James and Michael Jordan is a never-ending topic. Along with them, some players, such as Kevin Durant, have thrown his hat into the ring. The latter might not get many votes on that topic, considering his lack of accolades and titles does not give weight to his legacy like the other two.

However, he does have a leg up over the Los Angeles Lakers star as a pure score, and a player with a bigger bag of tricks up his sleeve. He is no doubt a future Hall of Famer and will be named as one of the greatest ever.

But his leadership has been cited as an area of concern. Some, such as Charles Barkley, simply label him as not being a ‘bus driver’. Others, such as Jeff Teague, believe his skills are the reason for the lack of team leadership.

You know how I feel about Kevin Durant, I think he’s one of the best players ever, but I don’t think he has the ability to take a questionable team and elevate them dudes to a certain level. You’ve gotta be generational. That’s what made Chris Paul special; that’s what made LeBron very special. It’s a rare few people that can just do that.

Jeff Teague said on Club 520 Podcast

The former champion believes Kevin Durant‘s skills make him a great scorer, one of the best ever. But that does not elevate a team in the way LeBron James or Chris Paul can.

Jeff Teague believes Michael Jordan does not elevate teams

Jeff Teague was pointing at the playmaking and orchestrating a team’s game plan, something which LeBron James excels at. The former NBA star then went on to say how Michael Jordan does not elevate his teammates as well.

Even Mike (Michael Jordan) couldn’t do that. ‘I’ll win the game by myself,’ but he really didn’t make people better. He challenged some other people to get better… he challenged Scottie (Pippen) like, ‘You gotta be stronger, you gotta be this.’ He led by example.

Jeff Teague said

What the former point guard means is that ‘His Airness’ would dominate games and lead his team in almost all statistical fields, which would help them win. That would force his teammates to play better, which invariably would result in wins.

However, Teague doubts that the method could work in a bad team. He might have a point, as the early Chicago Bulls teams of Jordan’s career struggled without ‘His Airness’ taking on the bulk of the scoring load.

Jeff Teague explains what makes LeBron James a leader

In comparison to Michael Jordan’s early Chicago Bulls teams, LeBron James‘ early Cleveland Cavaliers were similarly mid-tier or slightly inferior. Despite that, they managed to reach the 2007 NBA Finals.

LeBron James is as good a game manager as anyone in NBA history
LeBron James is as good a game manager as anyone in NBA history (Image via Open Source/X)

Bron always was strategic. Everything was like ‘chess’. Imma be the best leader, I’m getting this guy, I’m going to make him look good. Cause it’s going to make me the greatest player ever. I think that’s what makes him so great is that he can elevate teams.

Jeff Teague said

What he is trying to imply is that the Akron native used his leadership and skill to elevate players around him. Along the way, he has also achieved some incredible individual accolades, as well as 4 titles.

But overall, it is the way James helps other players grow that makes him a leader of men. Kevin Durant and Michael Jordan lead by example, whereas the Lakers’ superstar uses his skill to elevate his teammates to a respectable level and then leads them to victory.

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