He's above Tyreke Evans and Brandon Roy (in my book), but Shaq forgot to mention Chris Paul, Steve Nash and Deron Williams... I have, in order: LeBron Kobe Steve Nash D-Wade Paul D-Williams Ellis Roy Evans So to me, Shaq got it right -- he is the 7th best...
Shaq's always funny off-the-cuff, but honestly put on the spot I'd start forgetting names too. But the point he's making is that Monta and Evans are good players that are gonna be great. Of course he's been known to exaggerate once in a while, but I agree with him generally. However, he left out Joe Johnson, or even the aging Paul Pierce, who I feel are ahead Monta and Evans. However, that's only considering a snapshot of right now: Monta and Evans still have plenty of time to pass them up in terms of matching achievements and potential. Because Monta and Evans are doing it without help right now, it makes them stand out when facing GS or Sac. If you take out LeBron then add the three guys I mentioned he does still end up 7th-ish at SG in my book right now, right in the mix of (a healthy) Kevin Martin and Evans and ahead of aging veterans Allen/Ginobili/Carter/Richardson. Though, I'd consider arguments that placed him better (or worse) for sure. If you kept LeBron in, you could make a case that Igoudala or Durant, who usually play forward but could easily slide over to the guard spot, being same kind of players that are being mentioned, so I'd take him him out of consideration for "guard". My contenders off the top of my head, better type as many as I can think of so I don't forget anyone: Kobe, D-Wade, Roy, Johnson, Pierce, Monta, Evans, Martin, Allen, Ginobili, Mayo, Carter, Richardson, Terry, Ben Gordon, Eric Gordon, Stuckey, Hamilton, Jackson, and Crawford. That's one long-ass list and that's not even all the teams. I wish I had those little arrows to show trending up and down like on a power poll. However if you expanded to All-Star Guards, including points, it'd look more like this: Kobe, D-Wade, Paul, Nash, Johnson, Deron Williams, Pierce, Monta, Arenas, Rose, Kidd, Rondo, Evans, Martin, Billups, Allen, Davis, Mayo Which would leave Monta 5th in just the West right now. Virtually impossible in my opinion to make an All-Star appearance especially if Tracy McGrady voters put him in ahead of Nash.
Well, I think Magic was probably more versatile, because he was a pure PG and he also had post moves at the C position like baby hooks and stuff. But overall, LeBron is better than Magic. There is no one like LeBron. When his career is over, he will be the GOAT.
... and shoot better FT's and win a dunk contest . If prime time MJ was playing today, I'd take him for fantasy league in a heart (with the first pick, jv selects Michael Jordan) beat. http://www.nba.com/history/players/jordan_stats.html
Well, the fantasy league is different than the league itself. I'm not saying LeBron will have the best stats ever (I mean Oscar Robertson averaged a triple double with 31 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in 1961, and then there's Wilt, who averaged 50 points and 26 rebounds over 80 games in 1961, then 45 points and 24 rebounds the following year ). But I am saying LeBron will be the greatest NBA player of all time. If you want to compare him to MJ -- well, he's already a better passer, and a better rebounder than MJ was -- MJ was of course one of the greatest scorers ever, especially in a few seasons where he averaged 35 ppg and 37 ppg -- but career MJ was 30.1 ppg, and right now LeBron is 27.7 ppg, and that will probably climb each year. Now, of course, MJ was one of the greatest perimeter defenders of all time, as well. But LeBron is also an excellent defender, both on the perimeter, and interior. Of course, right now, Jordan is the GOAT. But LeBron has the capacity to be better than MJ in every area of the game -- passing, rebounding, scoring, and overall defense. He's the only one since Oscar who has a chance to average a triple double over the entire season. The difference is that LeBron is as athletic as MJ, but he's in Karl Malone's body. I mean, he's just not from this planet, and he's what... 25? Yes, he will need championships to be considered the GOAT, but as far as just comparing the players, on the court, over the full course of their career... I have a hunch that when it's all said and done, King James will sit atop that throne for a very, very long time.
With all due respect, I don't think LeBron has a chance to be the GOAT. He's a great player, but at this point, he has not beaten Larry Bird to become the greatest SF. Bird won three rings. LeBron still has a ways to go to catch Bird. With today's players, Kobe > LeBron. LeBron career: http://www.nba.com/playerfile/lebron_james/career_stats.html Bird career: http://www.nba.com/history/players/bird_stats.html
Lebron would be the greatest Power Forward in the history of the game, if he played that position. He'd win a lot more titles if they put the ball in a real point guard's hands and let him face up any 4 in the league. He's skilled enough to run the offense through, it just shouldn't initiate with him. He'd probably score 5 or 6 more points and have less turnovers. Back to Monta, anyone getting the sense that he's being pulled from play these last couple of games because he may be involved in trade talks?
I disagree about LeBron. I think it would be an insult to his abilities to not let him initiate an offense. He can do it in so many ways. Sure, he'd benefit from having a true point guard, but Mo Williams is no slouch. I think he just needs a better supporting cast overall to win some championships. Re: Monta. I don't think he's being pulled due to trade unless you think he was completely faking the ankle injury the other game. Remember, he took himself out of the last game. Also, he's been playing every minute of every game the past couple weeks, so what do you mean by "being pulled from games?"
