<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pure:</div><div class="quote_post">I am with og15, he isn't really overrated, but some people consider him too good. I would say how much hype he had coming in, he has for the most part lived up to it. I for one, never thought he could do it, and I was a doubter. He has proved me wrong.</div> same here. though fans can overhype him at times. UI dont believe hes overated at all. i mean this guy is the same age as me ( 19 ) and hes doing theses things in the league.
<font color="Red">LEBRON JAMES IS NOT OVERRATED.</font> This Kid just turned 20 years old & came into the NBA with more Hype and Expectations than anyone EVER. <font color="Red">Lebron has SURPASSED Every expectation set by the media.</font> He is an AMAZING player who is FAR FROM REACHING HIS PRIME!!! My argument here is that <font color="Red">he's NOT GOOD, he's GREAT.</font> There is NO need to compare him to Michael Jordan, though. Anyone who is comparing a 20 year old Lebron to the Glorious career of Michael Jordan is wasting their time and energy. Sure Lebron has characteristics of Jordan, Magic, Dr. J, and many others, but to compare him at 20 years old is unfare to Lebron. <font color="Blue">To be Overrated a player must not meet the goals expected of him.</font><font color="Red">What has or hasn't LeBron done in his young career that makes him Overrated ???</font> <font color="Red">What more can you expect from a 20 year old player ???</font>
Overhyped? No, to an extent... compared to the other players who dont get enough shine for what they do Overrated? Hell no. Think back when y'all were watching Lebron in high school. Did anyone actually think he'd be this good coming straight into the league? This young? He earned the hype especially when he debuted against one of the TOP teams in the West let alone the NBA itself and still proved his worth. Couple of years, better than Kobe and T-Mac. And if he can be better than Kobe...
Well James has only played 9 games out west (taking away Houston). Some of his competion out west, such Portland, New Orleans, Memphis, and Minnesota, have all been struggling. The Cavaliers have a western road trip very soon...shall we see how he does over there? I
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">Well James has only played 9 games out west (taking away Houston). Some of his competion out west, such Portland, New Orleans, Memphis, and Minnesota, have all been struggling. The Cavaliers have a western road trip very soon...shall we see how he does over there? I</div> You're missing the point. You have to look at what he's done so far. Like other people have posted: No One Realistically Expected Lebron To Be This Good This Early ! To say that he is OverRated is Ridiculous. It is Impossible for LeBron To Be OverRated Seeing as how he is a 20 YEAR OLD!!!
Lebron When I turned on my computer and went to JBB i could not believe my eyes. Calling LBJ overrated?! Those talks were going on at the beggining of last year and he shot them down. He has exceeded excpectations and deserves some credit. mrj18 you said "Carmelo Anthony and put him on a Cavs team in where they had much less options as Denver, would you think Anthony could put up similar numbers? I think so" WHAT?! Carmelo could put up the rebs maybe the ppg but not anywhere near the assists. Thats why i like likening LBJ to MJ because LJB raises the play of everyone around him. They are doing better this year than last while losing their second best player! COME ON!! He is the third best player in the league after Duncan and Garnett. LBJ has proven time and time again that he isnt overrated and will be a top player for years to come.
Here's the best way to answer this question: - Lebron James: Just 20 Years Young - 24.5 PPG -- 7.1 APG -- 7 RPG -- 2.4 SPG - 1ST IN NBA IN MINUTES PLAYED!!! - CLEVELAND, LEADS THEIR DIVISON (18-12) PRIOR TO LEBRON? DEAD LAST IN THE LEAGUE. YET SOMEHOW THEY ARE SEEMINGLY PLAYOFF BOUND AND THIS IS ALL AFTER LOSING THEIR ALL-STAR POWER FOWARD CARLOS BOOZER AND LEBRON STILL BOOSTS HIS TEAM TO NEW HEIGHTS!!! - RANKS AMONGST THE TOP 10 IN 17 STATISTICAL CATAGORIES - Last but not least, what were T-Mac, Kobe, Garnett, and Jermaine doing their second year after being pulled from High School? EXACTLY! This guy has EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS, and he continues to get better. Any hype, any comparisons, anything he gets has been earned and is more than deserved!!!
Personally, I don't believe LeBron is overrated. He has lived up to his hype and beyond it if you ask me. Look at the numbers he's putting up. To me, anyone who puts those up, is far from overrated. He has backed up all the hype that surrounds him. Plus, just look at what he's done with the Cavs. Last year, he was the reason why they made that playoff push. Granted they did die off near the end of the season, if it wasn't for him, they'd have probably won another 20 games instead of 37. And once again this year, he's the big reason, along with the stellar play of McInnis, Gooden, and Z, that the Cavs are leading their division. If you take him off that team, they don't win nearly as much. He IS the difference maker on that team. And to think that he's only 20 years old. However, the Jordan talks are dumb. There is and never will be another Jordan. I've been saying that for a long time now. He's the first LeBron, not the next Jordan.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James X3:</div><div class="quote_post"> - Last but not least, what were T-Mac, Kobe, Garnett, and Jermaine doing their second year after being pulled from High School? EXACTLY! This guy has EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS, and he continues to get better. Any hype, any comparisons, anything he gets has been earned and is more than deserved!!!</div> Personally, I don't know if it's fair to make this comparison. TMac was still finding his way into the rotation and was just than getting a decent amount of minutes. Kobe was showing the NBA his potential by dropping 15 ppg as the Lakers 6th man. Jermaine, unlike those two, was still buried behind the likes of Brian Grant, Rasheed Wallace, and Arvydas Sabonis on the Blazers bench. As for Garnett, he was starting 77 games and getting 17/8/3 while shooting almost 50% from the floor. However, the big reason I say this isn't a fair comparison: LeBron is and will be the top scoring option for his team. Kobe was behind the likes of NVE, Jones, and Shaq. TMac was well behind people like Carter. JO was buried and KG was actually one of their top options. But that right there is the big diff. LeBron is expected to carry that team, everyone elses second year, they were still splitting minutes and working into the rotation.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">Personally, I don't know if it's fair to make this comparison. TMac was still finding his way into the rotation and was just than getting a decent amount of minutes.</div> Take McGrady THIRD season into account than, 31+ minutes and his numbers aren't nearly as impressive as Lebron's 2nd season or even his first. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe was showing the NBA his potential by dropping 15 ppg as the Lakers 6th man.</div> Fine, take Kobe's THIRD season as well. 38 Minutes a night, started all of the games that year. Lebron in his second season averages nearly 5 more points, 2 more rebounds, 3 more assists, and was the more accurate and efficienct of the two, averaging 4% better from the field. Not to mention Kobe has the most dominate low post presense in recent memory to play off of, Lebron has opposing team's entire defenses aimed towards shutting him down! <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> As for Garnett, he was starting 77 games and getting 17/8/3 while shooting almost 50% from the floor.</div> While Lebron averages 24/7/7 and shoots 49% from the floor, he's one of a kind... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">However, the big reason I say this isn't a fair comparison: LeBron is and will be the top scoring option for his team. Kobe was behind the likes of NVE, Jones, and Shaq. TMac was well behind people like Carter. JO was buried and KG was actually one of their top options. But that right there is the big diff. LeBron is expected to carry that team, everyone elses second year, they were still splitting minutes and working into the rotation.</div> Lebron is ready to carry a franchise. The aforementioned players weren't built NBA tough yet, they showed signs of struggle early on, and it simply took them a few more years - with the exception of Garnett - to get to the level Lebron was at EVEN IN HIS ROOKIE SEASON. If Kobe, McGrady, or O'Neal were capable of playing the way Lebron does now, or even in his rookie season, it would have been evident. They would have gotten the start regardless of their age, that kind of talent doesn't sit, they either make their way into the starting rotation or a move is made and they start somewhere else. The fact is those players weren't ready, Lebron was and is, the statistics and remarkable performances prove it.
King James X3, let's not make this so much about statistics... although i can see how it's the obvious way to explain it. Like Moo2k4 said, none of the players you mentioned really were the go-to-guy on the team during the early stages. (not denying the greatness of Lebron James). When Kobe, T-Mac, KG, and Jermaine made the transition from highschool to the NBA, coaches didn't give the same respect they give now to highschool players. While IF they did have the skill of Lebron in earlier years, some coaches MAY have denied it, due to having other all-stars on the team. (<----- that is all about possiblity). I also want to note, Lebron was gifted with physical advantages over the others as a rookie. Actually if i remember clearly, T-Mac, Jermaine, Kobe and KG all showed amazement in practice and the limited minutes they were given in their earlier stage of their career. However i have no facts backing that up... unless you have watched "The Foundation" Disc 1. (It does talk about T-Mac and Jermaine not having opportunities to shine). Kobe not having a chance to shine is fairly obvious here. When you have one of the most dominant players in the league to a mysterious full of potentional rookie, who would you like as your first option? One major thing i'm going to have to disagree with is you saying that that kind of talent doesn't sit on the bench. Well if i remember correctly, Ben Wallace had a very good 48mpg rebounding statistics, however he still hadn't been given the time he wanted with the Magic. Kobe, as Moo2k4 had stated, didn't exactly disappoint with his 15ppg in his rookie season. Was Lebron better than them as a rookie? That's a question for science fiction writers. Overall Lebron is definitely a rare player that you would only see come in every decade or so, but taking credit away from what Kobe, T-Mac, KG and Jermaine did when they came into the league is probably not the best way to state it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mj23kb8:</div><div class="quote_post">I also want to note, Lebron was gifted with physical advantages over the others as a rookie.</div> Exactly, Lebron is simply more gifted in several departments at this age. He's ready for the game straight out of high school, it was obvious, and he was thrown right into the mix from the jump off. The aforementioned players weren't in the shape Lebron already has reached, and whether or not they were able to perform at Lebron's level is questionable. I just find it somewhat strange how those players all sat if they were infact capable of putting up the numbers they do now back in their rookie season. I just find it hard to believe a coach would sit a player if he could perform like an allstar from the get go, regardless of age. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">One major thing i'm going to have to disagree with is you saying that that kind of talent doesn't sit on the bench. Well if i remember correctly, Ben Wallace had a very good 48mpg rebounding statistics, however he still hadn't been given the time he wanted with the Magic. Kobe, as Moo2k4 had stated, didn't exactly disappoint with his 15ppg in his rookie season.</div> Ben Wallace started every game with The Magic, perhaps he was only getting 25 MPG, but than again he's only a career 30 MPG player. Kobe didn't average 15 in his rookie campaign, he actually averaged 7.6. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Was Lebron better than them as a rookie? That's a question for science fiction writers. Overall Lebron is definitely a rare player that you would only see come in every decade or so, but taking credit away from what Kobe, T-Mac, KG and Jermaine did when they came into the league is probably not the best way to state it.</div> I'm not taking credit away from them, I'm simply stating they weren't as ready or as impressive as Lebron at this stage in their career's. Even if you shy away from those player's rookie season and compare their's and Lebron's 2nd season or even their 3rd season, you can see Lebron has out performed them and shows no signs of slowing down.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James X3:</div><div class="quote_post">Take McGrady THIRD season into account than, 31+ minutes and his numbers aren't nearly as impressive as Lebron's 2nd season or even his first.</div> TMac was still not the top scoring option on that team. That's the difference. Carter was still the go to guy for Toronto at that point in time. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Fine, take Kobe's THIRD season as well. 38 Minutes a night, started all of the games that year. Lebron in his second season averages nearly 5 more points, 2 more rebounds, 3 more assists, and was the more accurate and efficienct of the two, averaging 4% better from the field. Not to mention Kobe has the most dominate low post presense in recent memory to play off of, Lebron has opposing team's entire defenses aimed towards shutting him down!</div> Again, it's the same situation as TMac. Kobe was the second scoring option for the Lakers and he was still finding his game. At that point, he had not developed a great jump shot and wasn't as dominant a slasher at that point. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Lebron is ready to carry a franchise. The aforementioned players weren't built NBA tough yet, they showed signs of struggle early on, and it simply took them a few more years - with the exception of Garnett - to get to the level Lebron was at EVEN IN HIS ROOKIE SEASON. If Kobe, McGrady, or O'Neal were capable of playing the way Lebron does now, or even in his rookie season, it would have been evident. They would have gotten the start regardless of their age, that kind of talent doesn't sit, they either make their way into the starting rotation or a move is made and they start somewhere else. The fact is those players weren't ready, Lebron was and is, the statistics and remarkable performances prove it.</div> Kobe, McGrady, and O'Neal didn't have to be ready to do great things straight out of high school. They all went to teams that had a player that was at least somewhat capable of carrying a franchise. Kobe had Shaq in LA, TMac had Carter, JO had people like Brian Grant and Rasheed Wallace. LeBron on the other hand, when he came out, he didn't have much for anything with the exclusion of Z. Ricky Davis was erratic and was soon traded, so he doesn't account for anything really. But, when it all comes down to it, LeBron was simply ready to play. And beyond that, he was instantly made the top option. Everyone else was still finding a way into the rotation or still developing their game in some way, shape, or form.
Lebron was put in a different situation from those guys, but none of those guys were ready to carry a team at their stage, JO was like Kwame as a young'n, JO couldn't have put up 18-10 in his rookie season, even if he got 38 minutes a night. Especially considering he's a post player, when playing in the post, you need mad stamina because posting up is tiring, with JO being tiny, and definately not having the stamina, he would've struggled to play 20 minutes a night. Same with Kobe and Tmac, they were good, but weren't ready for the spotlight yet, Lebron came in NBA ready because so much work was put into his game, I mean look at the guy's body, Tmac was a stick when he came into the NBA, so were JO and Kobe, and KG was even thinner than he is now. Lebron came in as one of the strongest guards in the league, so he was obviously more ready to be a #1 option than those guys. KG was more ready than the other guys because he was a freak, he had Tom Gugliotta[the All-Star one] on his team, and he was playing SF as a rookie and as a young player, but his freakishness allowed him to be able to overcome other obstacles and step in right away.
