LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan: Who Would Win? (All-Star Smackdown)
All-Star Smackdown (Lerner ™ Sports) Series
on Goodreads (11)
What’s inside...
Michael Jordan and LeBron James have both led the NBA in points and won multiple league championships. But is one player better than the other? Compare their achievements and careers and decide for yourself.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-11
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What qualities do you think make LeBron James and Michael Jordan successful athletes?
If you had to choose one player to have on your team, who would it be and why?
How do both players show teamwork and sportsmanship in their careers?
What lessons can we learn from the challenges they faced?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their opinions and preferences about LeBron James and Michael Jordan. Use parallels from the book to discuss broader themes such as perseverance, teamwork, and ambition. Highlight the importance of practice and dedication in achieving success. Lastly, relate the discussion back to your child's personal experiences in sports or other activities to make the conversation more relatable and impactful.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Sportsmanship
Explanation: The book compares the skills and achievements of basketball legends LeBron James and Michael Jordan, highlighting how both players show respect to their opponents and embrace the spirit of the game.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to respect their peers, handle wins and losses gracefully, and value the effort over the outcome in sports and other competitive activities.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The narrative showcases how both athletes overcame various challenges and setbacks to achieve greatness in their careers, emphasizing their dedication and hard work.
Real-World Application: This story encourages children to persist in their endeavors, whether in academics, sports, or personal goals, despite difficulties or failures.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: By examining the careers of LeBron and Jordan, the book illustrates how both stars relied on their teammates for success and how they contributed to their teams beyond just scoring points.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to work cooperatively in group settings, appreciating the contributions of others, and understanding the importance of playing a role in the success of the whole team.
Example Lesson: Healthy Competition
Explanation: The book acknowledges the competitive nature of sports while emphasizing how competition can be a driving force for self-improvement and excellence.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to view competition as a positive and motivating factor in their lives, helping them strive for personal bests while maintaining integrity.
Example Lesson: Admiration and Respect for Others' Talents
Explanation: Despite the ongoing debates about who is the greater player, the book encourages admiration for both athletes' unique abilities and achievements without diminishing either.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and recognize the strengths and talents in others, which fosters a culture of mutual respect and admiration among peers.