Beyond the Clock: Jason Kidd Sees Michael Jordan’s & LeBron James’ Late-Career Dominance Rooted in Will to Win

Kidd drew upon a specific, memorable encounter with a veteran Michael Jordan to perfectly illustrate the shift in approach—not in intensity, but in method—that is common to aging superstars.

“I remember when I played MJ when he was with [the] Wizards, he gave us 50,” Kidd recalled. This historical game took place in December 2001, when Jordan was 38 years old and less than 50 days away from his 39th birthday. At the time, Jordan became the oldest player to score 50 points in a game, finishing with 51 points against the Charlotte Hornets.

Crucially, Kidd noted the tactical change that accompanied this dominant performance. It was a game defined by craft rather than pure athleticism: “There was a lot of jelly-rolls and there weren’t a lot of dunks; a lot of mini’s, but he competes to win.”

This observation highlights the enduring basketball IQ and skill refinement that replaces sheer vertical leap. Jordan mastered the mid-range game, the post-fadeaway, and subtle moves to generate offense without relying on explosive athleticism.

The Modern Echo: LeBron’s Age-Defying Numbers

Kidd sees that same competitive drive and evolved game in LeBron James, who continues to put up unprecedented numbers in his third decade in the league. LeBron, like the late-career Jordan, has mastered the art of maximizing efficiency and impact.

As LeBron enters the latter stages of his career, his statistics remain remarkably high. In the 2023-2024 season alone, James maintained elite levels of production, showcasing his evolution into a high-efficiency scorer and primary playmaker. This ability to continue producing at an All-NBA level while being the oldest active player in the league mirrors Jordan’s refusal to simply fade away with the Wizards. James’s efficiency, including career-high three-point shooting percentages in some seasons, is a testament to the methodical adaptation Kidd observed in Jordan.

The Unwavering Core: It’s Not a Show, It’s a Win

For Kidd, the key takeaway is that both players reject the notion of simply coasting to the finish line or prioritizing individual accolades over team goals.

“That’s what those two do every time that they put on that uniform is to go out there and win; and it’s not about a show, it’s about winning and so that probably the biggest similarities between those two,” Kidd concluded.

This shared mentality—a fierce, tunnel-vision focus on victory—is the real engine of their enduring greatness. It drives LeBron to continuously reinvent his game to fit the modern NBA landscape and pushed Jordan to drop 50 points using veteran craft when his explosive athleticism was diminished. In the eyes of a peer like Jason Kidd, the parallel between Jordan and James is not just in their Hall of Fame status, but in a competitive spirit that age simply cannot extinguish. They may have different tools at their disposal in the “later moments,” but the unwavering commitment to helping their team achieve the ultimate goal is what solidifies their standing as the two greatest.