Net Rating
Offensive Rating minus Defensive Rating — the ultimate on/off measure of how much better the team performs with a player on the court per 100 possessions.
Career Net Rating
Higher is better. Average starters are around +1 to +3.
Components Breakdown
| Metric | LeBron | Jordan |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive Rating | 116 | 118 |
| Defensive Rating | 104 | 103 |
| Net Rating | +11.7 | +15.1 |
LeBron Peak NetRtg Seasons
Jordan Peak NetRtg Seasons
Analysis
Net Rating is perhaps the most straightforward impact metric: it's simply how many more points per 100 possessions the team scores compared to what it allows when a player is on the court. A Net Rating of +10 is extraordinary; +15 is historically elite.
Jordan's career Net Rating of +15.1 is one of the highest in NBA history. It means the Bulls outscored opponents by over 15 points per 100 possessions when Jordan was on the floor. This extraordinary figure reflects his dual impact — elite offense AND elite defense simultaneously. His peak of +20.2 in 1995-96 (the 72-win season) is among the highest single-season marks ever recorded.
LeBron's +11.7 career Net Rating is also excellent — firmly among the best in NBA history — but trails Jordan's by 3.4 points. This gap comes from both the offensive side (Jordan's higher ORtg) and the defensive side (Jordan's lower DRtg). LeBron's Net Rating has also been dragged down somewhat by his later career seasons where age has reduced his defensive impact.
Net Rating is influenced by teammate quality and team system, which creates some noise. Jordan played his entire prime alongside Scottie Pippen, an elite defender. LeBron has played with a wider variety of teammates of varying quality. Still, the consistency of Jordan's advantage across different lineup configurations suggests it's primarily driven by his individual excellence rather than teammate effects.
FAQ
What is Net Rating?
Net Rating is a player's Offensive Rating minus their Defensive Rating. It measures how many more points per 100 possessions the team scores vs allows when that player is on the court. Higher is better.
Who has the better Net Rating?
Jordan has the higher career Net Rating at +15.1 compared to LeBron's +11.7. Jordan also has higher peak single-season marks (+20.2 vs +17.3).
Is Net Rating reliable?
Net Rating is one of the most useful impact metrics but is influenced by teammate quality and system. It's best viewed alongside other metrics for a complete picture. Over a full career, it's quite reliable as sample size noise is minimized.