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Bill Russel and it isn't even closeLeBron's history is still too young. Ask again in 3 years
This...The argument still begins at #2. LeBron may enter the conversation for GOAT some day, but it ain't today.
I agree that beating the Warriors last year (even if it was largely due to Green being suspended for Game 5) was huge in my eyes. The fact he got his first 2 rings by going to Miami to play with Wade/Bosh was a negative in my opinion.Lebron beating the Warriors got him back in the discussion. Beating the Warriors with Durant and he's going to pass Jordon in some people's eyes.
It would be nice if we could just fast forward to that series.
If he is the greatest of all time, how would his game translate into the modern era?Bill Russel and it isn't even close
What he said....I agree that beating the Warriors last year (even if it was largely due to Green being suspended for Game 5) was huge in my eyes. The fact he got his first 2 rings by going to Miami to play with Wade/Bosh was a negative in my opinion.
For me, that was what made Jordan's all the better. He stayed with the same team, had to beat his head against the wall to finally get past the Pistons, then went 6 for 6 in The Finals. Had he not taken 2 years off after his fathers death to try baseball, he might have gone 8 for 8. Obviously he had great players with him during those runs (especially Pippen) but the fact he didn't.
To me, LBJ is the more complete player and an athletic freak with what he can do on both ends. Jordan was an all time great defender as well though. Jordan just had that unbelievable killer instinct. It's not an open and shut case that Jordan is the GOAT in my eyes, but I have yet to see anyone overtake him.
If LBJ can do it once again versus GS with Durant, I might really start shifting my thinking.
Funny thing is I used to route for LBJ when he was first in CLE. Seemed he had them on the right trajectory. When he went to MIA I routed like heck for anyone playing them. Now that he's back in CLE I was routing for them to beat GS last year and will do so again this year. Just something I like about not trying to do it the "All Star" route like they did in MIA and GS is doing this year (imo) with Durant.
Personally I strongly disagree with anyone who thinks there is no comparison.
definitely as close.Jordan. Not as close as some would like to make it seem.
Lebron beating the Warriors got him back in the discussion. Beating the Warriors with Durant and he's going to pass Jordon in some people's eyes.
It would be nice if we could just fast forward to that series.
Name 5 sf/g's that are better then Lebron.Then you wouldn't like what your favorite analyst thinks. LeBron isn't in his top 5 SFs and Gs.
I think you can compare them, but it's not a very long conversation right now. It can be some day. This takes nothing away from LeBron, who is inching closer to MJ. Both are amazing talents, physical specimens, have tons of stats/accolades, etc. Both are transcendent, once in a lifetime type talents. And they're both elite two-way players. They sometimes don't get the credit for their defense, because what they do with the ball is so spectacular. The separation, for me, comes down Jordan's insatiable desire to win, refusal to lose, killer instinct, rising to the occasion, and the consistency in which he displayed all of them. It's unparalleled, not just in basketball, but probably in sports. Can't touch the GOAT right now, but LeBron has a chance to make an argument of it in time.
Look at it this way, one on one game, who would win?
As much as I am in awe of Jordan, Lebron is a physical specimen that combines great strength, size and athleticism. Lebron is like having a Karl Malone body with the althleticsm of Jordan. Jordan was a better shooter than Lebron. But that's the only advantage I see over Lebron. Slight edge to James over Jordan
Name 5 sf/g's that are better then Lebron.
If some think the comparison between MJ and LBJ really is razor thin close...
When just looking at the two of them...
MJ was 6 for 6 in NBA Finals appearances and LBJ is 3 for 7 so far.
NBA Finals records:
MJ 24-11 with 6 Titles
LBJ 17-23 with 3 Titles
Good/fair pointThe west has been a dominant conference in the Lebron era.
1) Which allowed him to make more finals than MJ.
2) Resulting in Lebron falling short in the finals, whereas MJ fell short before the finals.
Funny how Russell is never a factor in this discussion, or Jabbar.
Many forget those Celtics were "all star" teams in their own right.Now, with all that said his teams were so much better than the opposition that he is never going to be recognized as the best because of that.
They had all star laden lineups, the best coach/smartest GM and played beautiful basketball, and I am a Laker fan whose heart they broke for the whole decade of the 60s.Many forget those Celtics were "all star" teams in their own right.
There's at least one HofF'er who believes The Big O in the GOAT
Have to disagree with your assessment that it is close. Can anyone here name the HOF player Lebron has had to go through to get to the finals? MJ went through a gauntlet just to get there in the east every year. Ewing, Reggie Miller, Shaquille O'Neil, Alonzo Mourning, Isaiah Thomas and the bad boy pistons not to mention the players he beat in the finals. You can't name a team that lebron has had to play in the east that even compares to any of those teams. He is closer to being 1 for 7 in finals appearances than he is to being the GOAT.This is a passionate topic as both ESPN and Fox have been commenting on it recently and those debates have become intense at times on both stations. That tells me despite what many might believe the choice between the two is a lot closer than the Jordan fans want to believe.
I like these type questions because you can go either way and be right.
Two absolute BB megastars.
Yes, with the help of the league office suspending green and bogut getting injured his team was able to come back and win the series. Who exactly did he beat to get to that series?? Once Jordan broke through he never lost again. He also didn't leave the bulls to team up with an all star team to get a championship.Didn't Lebron just beat the best regular season team ever in a 7 game series for the championship?
He took a team that started Mozgov, Delladova, & JR Smith to game 6 and should have been the MVP.
Why does he get penalized for losing in the finals, but Jordan doesn't get penalized for not even making the finals?