24 pts, 7-24 shooting

[Pelicans78]

Now a young Kobe with a young Timmy D, with their choice of role players... that's a good comparison but even then not Jordan and Magic. They would still be winning rings.

True, but if you compare them at the same age, it might be different even though Magi had won multiple rings by 26 while MJ hadn't.

Either way, Lebron and Wade are considered two of the top 3 players in the game.

[Killakobe81]

LOL me a supposed Lebron hater defending Lebron's potential. And a Spur fan trying to TELL me about magic's greatness.

Saw him live at the Forum a few times, I was at his retirement game where they raised his jersey ...

Only spurstalk.

[DMC]

Sure they are, but man what a group we have to pick from. It's going to suck when the last few greats retire.

[Pelicans78]

What?! Magic is my all-time favorite laker! LOL

Just saying Lebron has the potential to be in that class of player ...you can hate Lebron for being a coward, or third person egotist ...but you cant deny Lebron has all-time great talent. His game needs work but he's not old yet either.

Magic's jump shot was ty and FT was mediocre. He worked on both to where he led the NBA in FT once and was a decent 3 point shooter later in his career. Who knows how good Lebron will become?

Lebron is the most physically gifted player in NBA history and is already very talented. But the reason he's not good in the clutch like Magic or MJ or Kobe is that his game lacks polish. Doesn't have a reliable go-to move like the guys mentioned above. He basically tries to use pure athleticism to get by and it works in the regular season. Honestly, take away that Game 5 in Detroit and his legacy would be alot worse right now.

He should already have more moves in his arsenal. But he doesn't. Hard to think he will get that much better.

[Killakobe81]

I will say this typically I dont have a problem comparing young cats to the old generation. I think the 80's especially the mid 80's was the golden age of ball. But I dont havea problem when people compare Stockton, or Nash to Magic (even if I think it's not close) or Lebron to MJ. No one is "sacred" the best part of sports is debating who is greater ...

[Pelicans78]

CP3 reminds me of Stockton.

[Killakobe81]

Lebron is the most physically gifted player in NBA history and is already very talented. But the reason he's not good in the clutch like Magic or MJ or Kobe is that his game lacks polish. Doesn't have a reliable go-to move like the guys mentioned above. He basically tries to use pure athleticism to get by and it works in the regular season. Honestly, take away that Game 5 in Detroit and his legacy would be alot worse right now.

He should already have more moves in his arsenal. But he doesn't. Hard to think he will get that much better.

TBH you are right. I was ready to pass the torch to him that night, I was buying the hype. But you can not take it away and he has had2 MVP's since.
But the last 2 playoffs has given me pause ...
If he doesnt at LEAST make it to the Finals i will have to start wondering about his ability to lead ...

[redzero]

Can you imagine winning 10 games in a row, easily beating the team in first place, and still are 8 1/2 games back?

Good, good, let the butthurt flow from inside of you.

[Pelicans78]

Good, good, let the butthurt flow from inside of you.

Don't forget it was a back-to-back for the Spurs and the nets rested their starters the night before in Atlanta so it wasn't fair.

[jjktkk]

TBH you are right. I was ready to pass the torch to him that night, I was buying the hype. But you can not take it away and he has had2 MVP's since.
But the last 2 playoffs has given me pause ...
If he doesnt at LEAST make it to the Finals i will have to start wondering about his ability to lead ...

Thats the 1 thing I question about James. Does he have the mental toughness? I personally don't think the Heat can get by Boston in the playoffs, provided Boston is healthy.