Do you think he is just as good or will be? Just wanted to get peoples opinion after tonights game.
NBA: Should LeBron James be compared to Michael Jordan?
- Thread starter Clones21
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DistrictCyclone
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They are about as similar as Wilt and Cousy were. They can't be compared, and if you do you have to wait until LBJ is done playing.
LeBron is already 28. He has probably 4 more solid years in him til he starts slowing down. When MJ got old he could rely on his sweet jump shot and fade away. LeBron does NOT have that and won't have that when he gets older and slower.
MJ's career playoff scoring average is 4 points better than anyone else to ever play the game.
LeBron's NBA finals two years ago was the largest statistical choke in Finals history, just math. Biggest drop from regular season to finals scoring in NBA history. That's a lot of basketball with nobody else's game dipping that much.
That should have completely ended it, but a combination of many people being under 30 and watching last year's finals brought an irrational discussion back around. People have a hard time reconciling that while he's very possibly the most talented player ever, he also quite clearly is lacking some things in his game MJ had in bunches.
LeBron's NBA finals two years ago was the largest statistical choke in Finals history, just math. Biggest drop from regular season to finals scoring in NBA history. That's a lot of basketball with nobody else's game dipping that much.
That should have completely ended it, but a combination of many people being under 30 and watching last year's finals brought an irrational discussion back around. People have a hard time reconciling that while he's very possibly the most talented player ever, he also quite clearly is lacking some things in his game MJ had in bunches.
The great thing about MJ was he was always great, and the bigger the game the more great he was. Lebron shouldn't even be in the same discussion with MJ. He still has a lot of resume building to catch up with Kobe. No matter how many all star teams LeBron forms, and no matter how many rings he gets he will never stack up to his airness.
In his entire career, Jordan was never MIA during a big game. Lebron has already been there, done that and can never take that back. Because of this, IMO he'll never be an elite player to the same level as Jordan was no matter how many rings he eventually ends up with.
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DistrictCyclone
Guest
You do realize that it's possible to compare dissimilar objects, right? I could compare LeBron James to a lemon juicer if I wanted to. Your question is confusing.
I think we'll always compare the best player in the game to Jordan so I said yes.
Once I read your post I realized that actually wasn't what you meant, but it was too late.
At this stage of their careers, yes. He has done slightly less himself with much less for teammates.
It is slightly his doing as he decided to team up with two players who are just absolutely terrible for him. Dwade and Bosh are so much worse than they were supposed to be it isn't even funny. Wade has been washed up all year, and can't even shoot a mid range jumper. His entire offensive strategy is to slam his body into defenders in a 1 on 2 situation and hope to be fouled while throwing the ball up and hoping to make the bucket too. Not to mention Dwade and Bosh are TERRIBLE at hustling and team basketball and give up & fold at the slightest bit of adversity.
Bosh is afraid to play inside and only ever wants to take jumpers, which he is not very good at in the first place. Both players are high volume scorers. LeBron would do better with a real post presence, a couple three point shooters, and a guy who was automatic from mid range.
It should go without saying that the years in Cleveland were even worse. LeBron took this starting 5 to the NBA finals early in his career:
PG Eric Snow
SG Larry Hughes
SF LBJ
PF Drew Gooden
C Ilgauskas
^^^That is unbelievable.
Jordan had more championships at this point, but his front office was so much better at giving him players that fit how he played and had great chemistry. Jordan had Pippen his whole career, and Rodman for the last few championships plus outstanding role players at all times.
Jordan also didn't have the ridiculous, unprecedented pressure that LeBron was forced under. People expected the '94 Bulls when he was in Cleveland and the talent just wasn't there. When he did all that stupid **** and went to Miami the first year it was even worse. Jordan didn't have to play his entire career in the shadow of the GOAT.
I'm not sure I believe what I just wrote, but I think I gave a decent devils advocate.
EDIT: If you read this and my posts in this thread, just know that I am arguing for arguments sake and that obviously as it currently stands MJ is the best player ever. I just think that LBJ could be in the conversation by the time he finishes and that MJ is deified, with most people arguing on his behalf using no sound logic or actually backing up their opinions with facts.
It is slightly his doing as he decided to team up with two players who are just absolutely terrible for him. Dwade and Bosh are so much worse than they were supposed to be it isn't even funny. Wade has been washed up all year, and can't even shoot a mid range jumper. His entire offensive strategy is to slam his body into defenders in a 1 on 2 situation and hope to be fouled while throwing the ball up and hoping to make the bucket too. Not to mention Dwade and Bosh are TERRIBLE at hustling and team basketball and give up & fold at the slightest bit of adversity.
Bosh is afraid to play inside and only ever wants to take jumpers, which he is not very good at in the first place. Both players are high volume scorers. LeBron would do better with a real post presence, a couple three point shooters, and a guy who was automatic from mid range.
It should go without saying that the years in Cleveland were even worse. LeBron took this starting 5 to the NBA finals early in his career:
PG Eric Snow
SG Larry Hughes
SF LBJ
PF Drew Gooden
C Ilgauskas
^^^That is unbelievable.
Jordan had more championships at this point, but his front office was so much better at giving him players that fit how he played and had great chemistry. Jordan had Pippen his whole career, and Rodman for the last few championships plus outstanding role players at all times.
Jordan also didn't have the ridiculous, unprecedented pressure that LeBron was forced under. People expected the '94 Bulls when he was in Cleveland and the talent just wasn't there. When he did all that stupid **** and went to Miami the first year it was even worse. Jordan didn't have to play his entire career in the shadow of the GOAT.
I'm not sure I believe what I just wrote, but I think I gave a decent devils advocate.
EDIT: If you read this and my posts in this thread, just know that I am arguing for arguments sake and that obviously as it currently stands MJ is the best player ever. I just think that LBJ could be in the conversation by the time he finishes and that MJ is deified, with most people arguing on his behalf using no sound logic or actually backing up their opinions with facts.
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I do not. Of course I was 8 years old and fell asleep to posters of Jordan on my walls, so I'm not a great judge.
See, there is no way that is true and there is no way LeBron can win this argument, because he is fighting against a legend and not a real man. Nobody sees MJ as human, and nothing LBJ does could compare.
MJ went through the same thing with Magic and Bird, and they likely went through the same thing with Russell and Chamberlain.