It's time to acknowledge Lebron James for what he is...

[Mobdeeper7239]

No doubt. My whole point is... the game now is a lot better than it was in Jordans era, in my opinion.

Name somebody like Kyrie Irving back then? Naw we had Mugsy Bouges. come on man. Athletes have gotten faster and stronger.

Don't get me wrong, I am by no means bashing the older eras of the game. Those athletes were the reason the athletes now are as good as they are. Because a Kyrie Irving was able to watch some of these guys growing up and putting their moves into his game. Add in the physical training nowadays...The game will probably get even better 20 years from now. Which is scary to think about...

 

[Rounder23]

i agree with you on that note...but now you're comparing tennis (non physical sport with no contact) with basketball?

OK, so let's go with Shaq and Bo Jackson. No one ever said Bo Jackson isn't a good football because he is stronger and faster than everyone. They said he is a good football player because he is stronger than faster than everyone. Shaq was the most dominant player since Wilt Chamberlain because he was 320lbs and could run, spin and jump like he was 240lbs.

 

[Rounder23]

Lebron is a terrible shooter, yes he is getting a lot of layups/dunks which is inflating his shooting percentage.

I guess you forgot when Kobe averaged 40.6 points 6.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.2 steals a game for the entire month of February, playing with absolute nobodies like Smush Parker. Or when he dropped 81 points against Toronto...

Lebron is not a "terrible" shooter. Kobe is better outside shooter like I already said, and really his only leg up on Lebron. L

ebron could average more than 40, 7 and 6 right now if he wanted to score that many points. But he cares about winning, getting his teammates involved and efficiency.

 

[Rounder23]

No doubt. My whole point is... the game now is a lot better than it was in Jordans era, in my opinion.

Name somebody like Kyrie Irving back then? Naw we had Mugsy Bouges. come on man. Athletes have gotten faster and stronger.

Don't get me wrong, I am by no means bashing the older eras of the game. Those athletes were the reason the athletes now are as good as they are. Because a Kyrie Irving was able to watch some of these guys growing up and putting their moves into his game. Add in the physical training nowadays...The game will probably get even better 20 years from now. Which is scary to think about...

All good points. Kyrie is a stud and atheletes evolve. And to my point, this makes what Lebron is doing now that much more special. Look at tht last couple Heat-Laker games. Lebron has had Ron Artest, one of the best and strongest defenders ever trying as hard as possible to guard him and he can't do it.

 

[ljigga]

Lebron is not a "terrible" shooter. Kobe is better outside shooter like I already said, and really his only leg up on Lebron. L

ebron could average more than 40, 7 and 6 right now if he wanted to score that many points. But he cares about winning, getting his teammates involved and efficiency.

Lebron's only leg up on Kobe is his athleticism.

 

[Mobdeeper7239]

All good points. Kyrie is a stud and atheletes evolve. And to my point, this makes what Lebron is doing now that much more special. Look at tht last couple Heat-Laker games. Lebron has had Ron Artest, one of the best and strongest defenders ever trying as hard as possible to guard him and he can't do it.

I agree with you on it makes your point looks more valid with Lebron being special. But, Ron artest let me just say.... is also one of the most overrated DEFENDERS in the nba right now. He does not have a clue knowing how to guard Lebron. He said the hardest player he ever had to guard was Brandon Roy. lol. I think that the defense was a big part of the 90's though.(Either that or the players were not as talented) 30 years before that, in the 60's, 70's and 80's...scores were 126-114 like every night. I bet they put out Over /Unders of 230 with regularity.

 

[gynecologist]

Mj>lj>kb

 

[Rounder23]

Mj>lj>kb

I can dig that. Think in 10 years the first two might be switched. We'll see.

Great debate fellas...

 

[akphidelt]

Lebron can't help the fact that he is a physical specimen. Can't hold that against him. Only guy ever who could play shut down D against all 5 positions. Need him to guard a point guard, easy, a forward, simple... most centers, yes sir. The only knock on Lebron is his late game mishaps. I remember against Dallas he completely disappeared in the 4th quarters and just stood in the corner letting Wade do all the work. I've always been a Bron fan, but I lost some respect for him that series. But, he has gained it back. The dude is a monster and the greatest all around basketball player we've ever seen. No one has ever been able to dominate offensively, defensively, on the boards, taking it to the rack, etc... like Lebron.

 

[akphidelt]

I can dig that. Think in 10 years the first two might be switched. We'll see.

Great debate fellas...

I don't know if anyone will be able to let go of MJ. It will be more like (MJ=LJ)>KB

 

[gynecologist]

WOW. Alright everyone, let's settle down here. Jordan better then Lebron? Fine. Kobe? You're on crack. For anyone saying Kobe is better than Lebron it's not even close. Kobe is the best "shotmaker" of all time, and I admire his work ethic, aside from that he is garbage. His teams winning percentage over the course of his career is the same with and without him. He makes the players around him worse, not better. His first three rings were 90% Shaq, 9% Phil and 1% him. When he didn't have the best frontcourt and coach in the league on his team won 34 games, and he was experianced by then. Lebron took the worst team in the nba, with a coach that Kobe got fired after 5 games and won 60+ games and took them to the finals twice. Let's see... Shaq, Gasol and Bynum or Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Joel Anthony??

Lebron is clearly better at every facet of the game but outside shooting. He's averaged more points, rebonds, assists, steals, blocks, fg% in both the regular season and playoffs. He has more MVPs. Lebron is a far superior defender. All-time PER rankings, 1) Jordan 2) Lebron 3) Shaq....... 18) Kobe. And before anyone says it, Lebron is far more clutch than people give him credit for. He shoots almost 20% higher from the floor than Kobe does in the last 30 seconds of a playoff game. Lebron has 2 of the top 10 greatest playoff performances of all time, Kobe has 0.

I could keep going for awhile on this one but I gotta get back to work. It's borderline insanity to think Kobe is better then Lebron.

Great post here... Very convincing.. Superb points made..

 

[gynecologist]

I never understood why Lebron didn't drive the lane more often..

He really is unstoppable when he drives the lane.. Hes fast strong and athletic..

Shooting 20ft shots isn't his forte. Has he finally figured it out this season?

 

[Vituperate]

Am I crazy to argue that Lebron can play and is now playing every position on the floor? I mean he has been deadly at 12-15 foot jump shots....deadly at 3 point shots...deadly playing with his back to the basket...deadly (with a capital "D") at every form of short jumper or dunk...deadly at the wings...deadly at the baseline...unreal deadly at defense...deadly even bringing the ball up the floor just so he can pass it at the top of the key and set up down low...blocked shots too...and on and on I go.

I loved watching Michael play... as a former LAL season ticket holder...I lived to see him play. But no way could Jordan play a power forward game or center game. Lebron can do it all like no NBA player has ever done it. He has reached the pinnacle of greatness and imo has exceeded every player that has played this game.

And when the hell was his last real injury? I cannot even remember. He brings it each game of the year.

Now, regarding the rings, there is no way I can argue that. If that is the only criteria, then Michael and Kobe takes the title of best ever.

Before Lebron went to MIA he was at a team that simply had no other players.

Good luck tonight Lebron...I bet you at +5.5 points versus a very good OKC team. For the first time I have become a true fan of yours..maybe not your team but you. Good luck with the streak and bol to everyone of you that made this thread so interesting to read.

Point spreads and winning losing bets are important. However, once in awhile magnificent play night in and night out must be noted as above all else.


ps...RX put the hyperlink of Pinnacle ...not me....lol

 

[varkeyboy]

Lebron had to go to a team with one if not two hall of famers. Not mention mj left at the top of his game to play baseball, came back and 3peated again. Still think Kobe in his prime is better than Lebron. For me even to consider Lebron being close to Jordan he would have to 3peat once.

My points EXACTLY!! We would have had 8 straight Championships in Chicago, if MJ never left for baseball. Some people sometimes forget about these things. Hell, we almost went to the NBA Finals without Jordan. And we didn't go because there was a phantom foul called on Scottie Pippen when Hubert Davis was shooting a 3.....i'll never forget this. I'M OLE SCHOOL!!!

 

[varkeyboy]

Mj>lj>kb

ENOUGH SAID!!! All in 6 letters.......right here. Listen to the man....

 

[varkeyboy]

bron bron (in his prime) ..I believe in an one on one match up with MJ (in his prime) will dominate due to his size and strength.

Earvin Magic Johnson and you my friend, would get into a shouting match about this.

"If Lebron played Michael in 10 straight 1-on-1 games, Michael would win 10 straight."

NUFF SAID!!!

 

[ljigga]

According to MJ...Kobe > Lebron....nuff said

 

[Danny T]

It's not even up for debate regarding Kobe. Lebron is a way better player than Bryant.

 

[cashflow50]

it's not even up for debate regarding kobe. Lebron is a way better player than bryant.

nuff said

 

[cashflow50]

great post here. a must read

Am I crazy to argue that Lebron can play and is now playing every position on the floor? I mean he has been deadly at 12-15 foot jump shots....deadly at 3 point shots...deadly playing with his back to the basket...deadly (with a capital "D") at every form of short jumper or dunk...deadly at the wings...deadly at the baseline...unreal deadly at defense...deadly even bringing the ball up the floor just so he can pass it at the top of the key and set up down low...blocked shots too...and on and on I go.

I loved watching Michael play... as a former LAL season ticket holder...I lived to see him play. But no way could Jordan play a power forward game or center game. Lebron can do it all like no NBA player has ever done it. He has reached the pinnacle of greatness and imo has exceeded every player that has played this game.

And when the hell was his last real injury? I cannot even remember. He brings it each game of the year.

Now, regarding the rings, there is no way I can argue that. If that is the only criteria, then Michael and Kobe takes the title of best ever.

Before Lebron went to MIA he was at a team that simply had no other players.

Good luck tonight Lebron...I bet you at +5.5 points versus a very good OKC team. For the first time I have become a true fan of yours..maybe not your team but you. Good luck with the streak and bol to everyone of you that made this thread so interesting to read.

Point spreads and winning losing bets are important. However, once in awhile magnificent play night in and night out must be noted as above all else.


ps...RX put the hyperlink of Pinnacle ...not me....lol