I've seen Bird, Magic, Jordan, & Kobe play, IMO LeBron is the G.O.A.T

It's hard to compare teams across generations, but the L@kers, Celtics and Pistons of that era where nothing to sneeze at.

LeBron is a great player. Let me put it this way, if you could put MJ's drive into LeBron, and the reverse, LeBron would be better than he is now, and MJ would be worse. You can argue which is more important. No doubt LeBron is a physical specimen, but MJ was better at the mental side of the game. I also think MJ was better at motivating his teammates.

 

And let's not forget Russell.

 

Yes, but I wasn't asking you. I know you are old.

 

I actually think Lebron is in fact the best player in the league every year, going back a decade or so. But other guys get awards. I think Popovich is the best coach in the league going on 15 years and he doesn't win Coach of the Year.

 

I don't know what I think of Pop's to be honest. I mean he's obviously good and has adjusted as the league has adjusted. Sure helps to have David Robinson get hurt, then come back and get a top 2-3 power forward of all time, then to get the best 6th man of all time in Manu, and to have a HoF pg in Parker. Obviously he's a really good coach, but sheesh. Also I don't know, there have been some crazy impressive years lately in the NBA Steph Curry deserved the MVP's (he's legit the best pure shooter that's ever played, and you can argue that but no one's putting him down very many pegs) Westbrook for as much as I really find him annoying has averaged triple doubles. Harden also annoying but really impressive. When MJ was at the top there were other HoF talents, other really good players, but no one was confused about who was the best player that year, and if they were MJ would be sure to humiliate said player...

 

I think Pop is the best, maybe ever. Yes he had HOFers, every great coach does. How many guys leave the Spurs and are better....none. In fact, he gets more out of average/bad NBA guys than anyone I can remember. He has a system that has dominated the league for almost 20 years, 5 titles, over 50 wins every single season, its incredible. I'm not sure if guys like Parker and Ginobili have the careers they have had without him. If Parker spends 18 years in Sacramento or Atlanta is he HOF? How he got Duncan, I don't care. Once he got him, he created the best franchise in the NBA, hands down.

 

My bad, I thought this thread was open to everyone.

 

I'm sure this is what he was referring to:



Fun fact: I spent the summer of 1980 on the assembly line at the Allis-Chalmers factory installing and testing the electrical wiring harnesses on these babies.

 

It is, but sometimes posters have discussions in the middle of threads dealing with specific topics within the content of the thread. Next time I will make sure to address the person directly, even though I quoted them. It will make it simpler to follow.

 

Still, all threads in this forum are open to all. There is no such thing as a private discussion.

 

I think you are missing my point, but I don't think there is any way to change that so I will just say "Yes, you are correct."

 

LeBron put up 30/11/9 with 2.6 steals and 2.3 blocks on .494/.371/.721 shooting against the 73 win warriors... that’s more impressive than anything Jordan has done in the finals.

 

The only knock I can put on LBJ is ever since the Celtics & Pistons broke up he's been playing in a conference with less than stellar talent.
The closest thing to competition came with the Pacers for a couple of years. Don't believe Toronto really challenge him at all.
If LBJ played in the West, would any of those Cavs teams gone to the finals? I don't think so.

Where MJ & Kobe played in an era where getting to the finals due to lack of competition wasn't something to be heard of.

That's really the only knock I can put on LBJ.

 

I still go Jordan, Kareem, than Lebron is in the argument with 2-3 others at number 3. I feel Kareem gets disrespected a lot in these conversations that dude was the closest there’s ever been to can’t stop it, you just hoped he missed.
All these players are great obviously, though Of the ones mentioned Lebron is probably the one I find most annoying to watch. I find watching Lebron just not fun, but he’s still pretty amazing though.

 

Jordan did not play AI till he was nearly 34 yrs old. His Bulls still consistently won, only losing to the 76ers once during their matchups. Was 34+ MJ's prime?

 

That and Lebron consistantly doesn’t even try to play defense any more. Olidipo was Going by him pretty much every time he pretended to guard him.

 

Imagine Magic using Lebron's steroids...

 

What steroids? I've never heard this brought up by anyone who's worked with him.

 

There isn’t a single year LeBron wouldn’t win MVP if people weren’t tired of voting for him and he has been the best player every year of his prime. The greatness of Lebron isn’t his personal numbers. It’s the fact that he, by himself, gets the most out of every player on the court much like the entire San Antonio Spurs system. The players you just listed aren’t even close to Lebron. Put them on the Cavs and see how far they get... not far.

Oddly enough, you left out the one somewhat legitimate case of a player even coming close to his realm... Derrick Rose, who he straight locked up in the playoffs when he did.