Nothing can separate between them. Both of them are in a league of their own and none could match or even surpass the combined accolades that they both have created in the world of badminton. Best rival and yet also good friends. Superdan wont be achieving what he has done without the presence of LCW and vice versa.
This I think is the only match where LCW correctly activated his beast mode against LD. Early third set just played 100% perfect to close it out. It always puzzeled me why he didn't use his speed advantage against LD on the key pressure points as he did here in game 3
Lin Dan lost his power after 2013, but Chen Long managed to lift up the expectation & defeated LCW again in all major tournaments from 2014-2016, 2 times world champions + olympic champion.
Lin is a genius with unpredictable hits. Lee is really patient to win. The first two games are really close. Lee' sudden switch of tactics in the third is effective. Lin had no time to adjust himself to shorten the gap.
if you think about all the disadvantages that LCW has a pro athlete (investment, money, public acceptance/support, sport science and training partner), LCW has achieved an amazing level of athlete more than LD.
on the other hand, because there's only ONE Malaysian player in the top level with the likes of Lin Dan, Chen Long ... LCW got to enjoy ALL national resources on him ...