In the NBA, there has been a new group of fans emerging who sound about as smart as Jessica Simpson when she said, “I think there’s a difference between ditzy and dumb. Dumb is just not knowing. Ditzy is having the courage to ask.” These new fans, much like Simpson, are raising inaccurate comparisons between two completely different subjects – in this case, LeBron James and Michael Jordan.

They say James is a choker, has no jump shot and is not clutch down the stretch. Then they reminisce about how Jordan was a proven winner and wanted nothing more to have the ball in his hands at the end of the game. This is true.

But keep one thing in mind: At the age of 21, Jordan was living in his dorm room in Chapel Hill, N.C., and James was busy collecting triple doubles, receiving first team NBA honors, accepting an All Star MVP and falling only one game away from sending the mighty Pistons packing.

Jordan, the greatest champion to ever play the game, needed three playoff appearances to notch his first series win. James only needed one.

During the regular season this year, James averaged 31 points, seven rebounds and six assists. As for the playoffs, the numbers remained almost identical. Throw in a couple buzzer beaters and the lack of sufficient supporting class, and it simply leaves me bewildered to hear people bash James with a straight face.

Jordan’s numbers in college at this age were pretty good. About 20 points, five rebounds and a couple of assists a game were his totals. Not bad. Good enough to leave college early for the NBA. But if you want to compare it to James, it is laughable to say Jordan has the edge over James at this stage of his career.

Jordan’s first year in the league was a successful one. He emerged as an instant star with glimpses of never seen before talent. He could score, defend and make his teammates better.

He made the Portland Trailblazers, who took Sam Bowie over Jordan in the NBA Draft, look like the person on “Deal or No Deal” that should have taken the $266,000 instead of settling for $100 in the end.

Jordan went on to win Rookie of the Year. James did it two years younger.

As for Jordan’s second year in the NBA, his numbers were average. At age 23, Jordan managed 22 points and three assists a game.

I am not a betting man, but I would put my right arm, left leg and my first born child that in two years from now, a healthy James will average better numbers than that – maybe even in the first half.

The more I watch James, the more it seems to dawn on me that he will not collapse under the pressure of trying to equal Jordan. He is 6’8″ and 250 pounds with lightning-quick speed, raw power and incredible hang time. He has a good head on his shoulders and the stars aligned his way.

He wears number 23, and has the same birthday as Tiger Woods. At age 19, he was already deemed a “king” by the public. By age 21, watching him play is referred to as “witnessing.”

And the people who are doubting him and questioning his abilities are only making him better.

The last thing James said to reporters was that next year his only goal was to win the championship.

I look forward to witnessing that.

– Ward Phillips is a sophomore in pre-journalism and mass communication. He is the Daily sports editor.