LeBron The Greatest of All Time?
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So, if you asked me to put together an all time position by position team, here is what I would do:
Point Guard: Magic Johnson first team, Oscar Robertson second team
Shooting Guard: Michael Jordan first team, Kobe Bryant, second team
Small Forward: LeBron James first team, Larry Bird, second team
Power Forward: Bill Russell, first team, Tim Duncan, second team
Center: Wilt Chamberlain first team, Kareem, second team
I know. Russell played center. But I saw him play, and he played the position about the same way as Duncan does who is a hybrid C/PF. So I put him there.
And the Big O is #6 all time in assists. He was just a "guard", who could play any of a number of positions....kinda like LeBron. So I put him behind Magic at point.
Do your own if you would like.
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I pretty much agree with everything you say and believe he'll go down as the GOAT when it's all said and done. In my mind he already is, but he still has plenty of time left to remove the remaining doubt.
He's the most versatile to ever play the game, for sure. The way he single handedly elevated the pre-decision Cavs teams to contenders is something I'm not so sure anybody else could have done - since then he's had much better teams around him, obviously.
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I'm a life-long NBA fan (mostly a NBA Playoffs fan aka, the best basketball in the world), but I'm only 31 years old. I know the history, and I've seen the highlights, but I'm not married to any of the "old school" greats. I do know that the NBA Playoffs, and especially the Finals are where great players show up, or disappear. Based on career playoff performances, I would set my roster as such:
Starting Lineup (and these guys all deserve better position names than PG, PF, etc... and only need 1 name)
Facilitator - Magic - 3 Finals MVP's. (19.5 pts, 12.3 ast, 7.7 reb, 1.9 stl, 50.6% FG)
Finisher - Jordan - 6 Finals MVP's. (33.4 pts, 6.4 reb, 5.7 ast, 2.1 stl, 48.7% FG)
Point Forward - Lebron - 3 Finals MVP's. (28 pts, 8.8 reb, 6.8 ast, 1.8 stl, 47.8% FG)
Rim Protector- Wilt - 1 Finals MVP. (22.5 pts, 24.5 reb, 4.2 ast, 52.2% FG)
Dominator - Shaq - 3 Finals MVP's. (24.3 pts, 11.6 reb, 2.7 ast, 2.1 blk, 56.3% FG)
Bench:
Unguardable - Kareem - 2 Finals MVP's. (24.3 pts, 10.5 reb, 3.2 ast, 2.4 blk, 53.3% FG)
Mr. Fundamental - Duncan - 3 Finals MVP's. (20.6 pts, 11.4 reb, 3 ast, 2.3 blk, 50.1% FG)
The MVP - Russell - MVP Named after him. (16.2 pts, 24.9 reb, 4.7 ast, 43% FG)
Doctor - Erving - 2 ABA Playoffs MVP. (24.2 pts, 8.5 reb, 4.4 ast, 49.6% FG)
Pure Shooter - Bird - 2 Finals MVP's. (23.8 pts, 10.3 reb, 6.5 ast, 1.8 stl, 47.2% FG)
Assassin- Kobe - 2 Finals MVP's. (25.6 pts, 5.1 reb, 4.7 ast, 44.8% FG)
The Logo - West - 1 Finals MVP. (29.1 pts, 6.3 ast, 5.6 reb, 46.9% FG)
I watched Shaq his whole career so maybe I'm a little biased, but based on the stats he's the guy at C. I've never watched a player be so dominant, and I think he's one of the most underrated guys in the "all-time great" conversations. Also, to compare all-time greats it's hard to compare guys who played different positions. You never hear NFL guys asking "Who's the greatest of all-time, Montana, LT, or Rice?" Or, "Who's the best, Mays, or Koufax?" Why do people even bother doing this in basketball?
Comparing Lebron to Jordan is like comparing a WR to a QB... it's damn-near impossible. The only guys you can really compare Lebron to in NBA history are Magic, Bird, and Dr.J - and I'd put Lebron ahead of all 3.
#Justsayin' -
Gip I like what your saying . However.. The reality is I think Jordan faced harder defenses back then.. today.. it would like letting him steal candy with all the rules in place now..
Nickers...."There are no old running QB's in the NFL "~Sam Rutigliano~ -
Gip I like what your saying . However.. The reality is I think Jordan faced harder defenses back then.. today.. it would like letting him steal candy with all the rules in place now..
Gip I like what your saying . However.. The reality is I think Jordan faced harder defenses back then.. today.. it would like letting him steal candy with all the rules in place now..
I don't think they were harder defenses per se at all. I just think that the rules back then allowed more physical contact.
But, don't forget...while those defenses were harder overall, The Jordan Rules were in place which disallowed playing defense on him that was allowed to most others. So I don't think the defenses on him would have been much changed at all in today's game.
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I'm a life-long NBA fan (mostly a NBA Playoffs fan aka, the best basketball in the world), but I'm only 31 years old. I know the history, and I've seen the highlights, but I'm not married to any of the "old school" greats. I do know that the NBA Playoffs, and especially the Finals are where great players show up, or disappear. Based on career playoff performances, I would set my roster as such:
Starting Lineup (and these guys all deserve better position names than PG, PF, etc... and only need 1 name)
Facilitator - Magic - 3 Finals MVP's. (19.5 pts, 12.3 ast, 7.7 reb, 1.9 stl, 50.6% FG)
Finisher - Jordan - 6 Finals MVP's. (33.4 pts, 6.4 reb, 5.7 ast, 2.1 stl, 48.7% FG)
Point Forward - Lebron - 3 Finals MVP's. (28 pts, 8.8 reb, 6.8 ast, 1.8 stl, 47.8% FG)
Rim Protector- Wilt - 1 Finals MVP. (22.5 pts, 24.5 reb, 4.2 ast, 52.2% FG)
Dominator - Shaq - 3 Finals MVP's. (24.3 pts, 11.6 reb, 2.7 ast, 2.1 blk, 56.3% FG)
Bench:
Unguardable - Kareem - 2 Finals MVP's. (24.3 pts, 10.5 reb, 3.2 ast, 2.4 blk, 53.3% FG)
Mr. Fundamental - Duncan - 3 Finals MVP's. (20.6 pts, 11.4 reb, 3 ast, 2.3 blk, 50.1% FG)
The MVP - Russell - MVP Named after him. (16.2 pts, 24.9 reb, 4.7 ast, 43% FG)
Doctor - Erving - 2 ABA Playoffs MVP. (24.2 pts, 8.5 reb, 4.4 ast, 49.6% FG)
Pure Shooter - Bird - 2 Finals MVP's. (23.8 pts, 10.3 reb, 6.5 ast, 1.8 stl, 47.2% FG)
Assassin- Kobe - 2 Finals MVP's. (25.6 pts, 5.1 reb, 4.7 ast, 44.8% FG)
The Logo - West - 1 Finals MVP. (29.1 pts, 6.3 ast, 5.6 reb, 46.9% FG)
I watched Shaq his whole career so maybe I'm a little biased, but based on the stats he's the guy at C. I've never watched a player be so dominant, and I think he's one of the most underrated guys in the "all-time great" conversations. Also, to compare all-time greats it's hard to compare guys who played different positions. You never hear NFL guys asking "Who's the greatest of all-time, Montana, LT, or Rice?" Or, "Who's the best, Mays, or Koufax?" Why do people even bother doing this in basketball?
Comparing Lebron to Jordan is like comparing a WR to a QB... it's damn-near impossible. The only guys you can really compare Lebron to in NBA history are Magic, Bird, and Dr.J - and I'd put Lebron ahead of all 3.
I'm a life-long NBA fan (mostly a NBA Playoffs fan aka, the best basketball in the world), but I'm only 31 years old. I know the history, and I've seen the highlights, but I'm not married to any of the "old school" greats. I do know that the NBA Playoffs, and especially the Finals are where great players show up, or disappear. Based on career playoff performances, I would set my roster as such:
Starting Lineup (and these guys all deserve better position names than PG, PF, etc... and only need 1 name)
Facilitator - Magic - 3 Finals MVP's. (19.5 pts, 12.3 ast, 7.7 reb, 1.9 stl, 50.6% FG)
Finisher - Jordan - 6 Finals MVP's. (33.4 pts, 6.4 reb, 5.7 ast, 2.1 stl, 48.7% FG)
Point Forward - Lebron - 3 Finals MVP's. (28 pts, 8.8 reb, 6.8 ast, 1.8 stl, 47.8% FG)
Rim Protector- Wilt - 1 Finals MVP. (22.5 pts, 24.5 reb, 4.2 ast, 52.2% FG)
Dominator - Shaq - 3 Finals MVP's. (24.3 pts, 11.6 reb, 2.7 ast, 2.1 blk, 56.3% FG)
Bench:
Unguardable - Kareem - 2 Finals MVP's. (24.3 pts, 10.5 reb, 3.2 ast, 2.4 blk, 53.3% FG)
Mr. Fundamental - Duncan - 3 Finals MVP's. (20.6 pts, 11.4 reb, 3 ast, 2.3 blk, 50.1% FG)
The MVP - Russell - MVP Named after him. (16.2 pts, 24.9 reb, 4.7 ast, 43% FG)
Doctor - Erving - 2 ABA Playoffs MVP. (24.2 pts, 8.5 reb, 4.4 ast, 49.6% FG)
Pure Shooter - Bird - 2 Finals MVP's. (23.8 pts, 10.3 reb, 6.5 ast, 1.8 stl, 47.2% FG)
Assassin- Kobe - 2 Finals MVP's. (25.6 pts, 5.1 reb, 4.7 ast, 44.8% FG)
The Logo - West - 1 Finals MVP. (29.1 pts, 6.3 ast, 5.6 reb, 46.9% FG)
I watched Shaq his whole career so maybe I'm a little biased, but based on the stats he's the guy at C. I've never watched a player be so dominant, and I think he's one of the most underrated guys in the "all-time great" conversations. Also, to compare all-time greats it's hard to compare guys who played different positions. You never hear NFL guys asking "Who's the greatest of all-time, Montana, LT, or Rice?" Or, "Who's the best, Mays, or Koufax?" Why do people even bother doing this in basketball?
Comparing Lebron to Jordan is like comparing a WR to a QB... it's damn-near impossible. The only guys you can really compare Lebron to in NBA history are Magic, Bird, and Dr.J - and I'd put Lebron ahead of all 3.
Last time I looked though they don't play 7 men on the floor...so your second team might get a technical called on it.
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GOAT is MJ but Lebron has gained some serious ground on the field. Magic Johnson was awesome, this coming from a Bird guy, as was Kobe in my watching history.
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Gip I like what your saying . However.. The reality is I think Jordan faced harder defenses back then.. today.. it would like letting him steal candy with all the rules in place now..
I don't think they were harder defenses per se at all. I just think that the rules back then allowed more physical contact.
But, don't forget...while those defenses were harder overall, The Jordan Rules were in place which disallowed playing defense on him that was allowed to most others. So I don't think the defenses on him would have been much changed at all in today's game.
I don't think they were harder defenses per se at all. I just think that the rules back then allowed more physical contact.
But, don't forget...while those defenses were harder overall, The Jordan Rules were in place which disallowed playing defense on him that was allowed to most others. So I don't think the defenses on him would have been much changed at all in today's game.
Fair point.
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Gip I like what your saying . However.. The reality is I think Jordan faced harder defenses back then.. today.. it would like letting him steal candy with all the rules in place now..
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Jordan by far.
"You planning on having a long relationship with that glass or are you going to drink it? Drink up, man. Maybe we can get another.” - Janis Joplin, 1970. -
Jordan by far.
Jordan by far.
For like 5th best.
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Jordan by far.
Jordan by far.
This was discussed on ESPN. Only if you want to count Finals records 6-0 vs 3-4, and Finals MVPs. LeBron is the more complete player-by far. I have little doubt He'll eventually pass Jordan in points. He's already ahead of him in rebounds and assists. James is First Ballot HOF- even if he never played another game.
Same argument is Joe Montana the Greatest QB of all time because he's 4-0 in Super Bowl wins.
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Jordan by far.
This was discussed on ESPN. Only if you want to count Finals records 6-0 vs 3-4, and Finals MVPs. LeBron is the more complete player-by far. I have little doubt He'll eventually pass Jordan in points. He's already ahead of him in rebounds and assists. James is First Ballot HOF- even if he never played another game.
Same argument is Joe Montana the Greatest QB of all time because he's 4-0 in Super Bowl wins.
This was discussed on ESPN. Only if you want to count Finals records 6-0 vs 3-4, and Finals MVPs. LeBron is the more complete player-by far. I have little doubt He'll eventually pass Jordan in points. He's already ahead of him in rebounds and assists. James is First Ballot HOF- even if he never played another game.
Same argument is Joe Montana the Greatest QB of all time because he's 4-0 in Super Bowl wins.
Not only that.. it's likely James will win the 4th.. maybe a 5th title.. that will put him ahead of Jordan by Me.
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30.1 ppg regular season
33.4 ppg playoffs
Lebron not getting there any time soon, period. Guys enjoy the Championship, savor the moment. These discussions can happen later.
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Jordan by far.
This was discussed on ESPN. Only if you want to count Finals records 6-0 vs 3-4, and Finals MVPs. LeBron is the more complete player-by far. I have little doubt He'll eventually pass Jordan in points. He's already ahead of him in rebounds and assists. James is First Ballot HOF- even if he never played another game.
Same argument is Joe Montana the Greatest QB of all time because he's 4-0 in Super Bowl wins.
This was discussed on ESPN. Only if you want to count Finals records 6-0 vs 3-4, and Finals MVPs. LeBron is the more complete player-by far. I have little doubt He'll eventually pass Jordan in points. He's already ahead of him in rebounds and assists. James is First Ballot HOF- even if he never played another game.
Same argument is Joe Montana the Greatest QB of all time because he's 4-0 in Super Bowl wins.
Brady > Montana
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L James has played in the last SEVEN straight finals.
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From purely a skill standpoint, michael and kobe are still the greatest.
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From purely a skill standpoint, michael and kobe are still the greatest.
From purely a skill standpoint, michael and kobe are still the greatest.
Kobe is #3
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From purely a skill standpoint, michael and kobe are still the greatest.
From purely a skill standpoint, michael and kobe are still the greatest.
If the only skill you are talking about is scoring....but LeBron's skills, as I am sure you are aware go well beyond just scoring.
(If he wanted to just score like MJ and Kobe, he could do that.)
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One Post From the Truth said:
L James has played in the last SEVEN straight finals.
Only 6 straight.....7 overall.
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