In the MJ-LeBron debate, don't overlook Jerry Krause

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When it comes to the who's better, Michael Jordan or LeBron James, I've always been in the MJ court. Having said that, LeBron is making up ground. The thing that most MJ supporters will hang their hats on is the fact Michael has six rings. I'm not sure LeBron will ever catch MJ in the number of rings won, but I'm not sure he has to. 

LeBron is the greatest athlete I'm seen on a basketball court. MJ was the biggest winner of a player I've ever seen. I'm not trying to slight either player. Jordan was a fantastic athlete and LeBron has become a winner with amazing physical gifts. 

What if LeBron had Jerry Krause?

Most fans would say that MJ has generally had a better cast around him than Lebron. Exhibit A in that argument is his sidekick, Scottie Pippin. If MJ is still ahead of LeBron it's probably because he had the benefit of Jerry Krause as a general manager. While MJ and LeBron are about on par as players, Jerry Krause was a far better GM than LeBron is. At least that was the case while Jordan was playing for the Bulls. The merits of Krause's work post-Jordan can be debated.

It was Krause who traded for Scottie Pippin in the 1987 NBA draft and also selected Hoarce Grant in that same draft. Later Krause traded MJ favorite and body guard, Charles Oakley, to the New York Knicks for Bill Carwright. Cartwright did indeed prove to be a missing element that helped elevate the Bulls to champions.

Few fans doubt LeBron is calling the shots on most Cavs personnel moves. That's just the way the NBA works now. He just hasn't been as effective at it as Jerry Krause was in his prime. If LeBron was as good a GM as he is player, he would have even more rings. MJ probably wouldn't admit it, but part of his legacy belongs to Jerry Krause.

The Warriors don't seem so warm and cuddly anymore 

Somewhat related to the LeBron James- MJ debate, if the Cavs do make their way to the NBA Finals against the Warriors, I think I'll be rooting for LeBron and the Cavs. This is mostly because I find Warriors increasingly hard to root for. Draymond Green and his Kung Fu Fighting style of play as never had much appeal for me. Kevin Durant seemed to have somehow morphed into Rasheed Wallace. His griping has grown old. There are far bigger injustices in the world than KD not getting a foul call. 

Go west young man

One thing I don't blame Durant for is leaving the Thunder.  Russell Westbrook can go into Tasmanian Devil mode more spectacularly than any other player in the NBA. Unfortunately he seems to get tunnel vision and can't seem to see the big picture in a game, team or season. I doubt that will change.

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