The majority of NBA fans take Michael Jordan's side in the coveted Jordan vs. LeBron James debate, and the renowned journalist, Colin Cowherd, recently highlighted a noteworthy reason why fans think that way.

Cowherd appeared on a recent episode of The Volume show, where he stressed how Jordan played in an era where the only time you could see him was on the basketball court. In today's world of social media, James's life is easily accessible to fans, and a simple click on the web leaves little to the imagination.

According to Colin Cowherd, the enigma of Jordan in a world without social media contributed to his “aura,” while it worked against James. He said, "There was no social media. Part of what makes Michael fascinating is that we didn’t know about his private life."

The journalist added, "There weren’t platforms, so you needed his basketball and his fashion. That was your gateway to knowing Michael. You didn’t know about his marriage or private life."

Subsequently, he broke down about James' case, saying, "We get so much of LeBron. So it doesn’t feel special… You had to either buy Michael’s shoes or go to his games. That’s how you saw or heard Michael’s greatness. LeBrons everywhere. There’s nothing LeBron could’ve done about that. There’s a mystery about Michael and a uniqueness. I think Michael had in a strange way a privacy advantage."

While Cowherd might be right in insinuating that excess of access kills the aura of a superstar, even after retirement, Jordan didn't change his privacy status. While he was still playing in the NBA, he had expressed that he would want to live away from the limelight like Dr. J, who had chosen business away from basketball after retirement.

However, there seems to be a consensus about social media compromising James' aura. Listen to one of his former teammates.

Danny Green on LeBron James’ Charisma

Since the time LeBron entered the league, he has been at the center of the NBA. In the early years of the 21st century, social media was still in its nascent stage, and access to star players was still very limited.

According to James' former Lakers teammate, Danny Green, the rapid rise of social media contributed to diluting the Lakers star's aura in the later part of his career.

"I think social media has ruined that for a lot of the bigger guys," Green said. "I feel like that aura, I saw it a lot more earlier on. When he was in Cleveland, he was a rock star. By the time he got to LA, when he was in Miami, I feel like they had so much access to him."

While Green's points fairly point to the loss of the aura, social media has also been very beneficial for James in branding and creating wealth through social media. Moreover, as much as the GOAT conversation goes, in the last few years, he has closed the narrative gap with Jordan despite the social media flood.

So, do you agree that the inaccessibility factor makes Jordan more likable than James?

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Written by

Nandjee Ranjan

Edited by

Souvik Roy