Reply With Quote
If he wins tonight then he takes a step forward. But lose next year, or end up with less than 3 rings in his career, then that window is shut.
... he will be in Jordan's class". Charles on PTI yesterday. Thoughts?
Mine: I have said repeatedly that Lebron has GOAT level talent, and even with his shrinking moments in past playoffs, he STILL has a SLIM chance at GOAT. He begins to make his case tonight, win or lose. Close out game with his first ring on the line?! I say Lebron takes a huge step. Dumbass Spur fans on here have thought Im trying to add pressure or set high standards (like my opinion on James matters) to tear him down to support Kobe. Lebron's bar should be higher than Kobe, he should chase Magic and then MJ.
If he wins tonight then he takes a step forward. But lose next year, or end up with less than 3 rings in his career, then that window is shut.
Kind of have the John Elway-esque to his career if he loses tonight and then wins a couple in his mid-to-late part of his career where it'll be like he should have had more than he achieved. I don't think he'll surpass Jordan for the sheer ability to take what Magic and Bird saved and for a good portion of the 90's make the NBA as/more popular than any other American sport. Jordan was transcendent in both the marketing and he was part of the Dream Team, which, made the game global. I think LeBron gets around 3-4 championships but who knows. He has his first crack at getting no.1 tonight.
People put him there before he even entered the league. Now he's playing catch up. Jordan was nobody pretty much, shy of his NC showing. He had to make things for himself. Lebron is a great talent, but he does not have the mindset of Jordan. You can see the doubt in his face that Jordan never possessed.
No, he's not there or near that level yet...
Jordan didn't come to the league with the pressure of having to win now like Lebron has. That alone took the pressure off of Jordan. Also, as great as Jordan was he won his first ship at the age of 28 when he had Pip and Phil on his side. Lebron is still 27 and on the cusp of winning his first ring with Spolestra as his coach. One last thing, Jordan's mystique of being some type of uber compe or didn't happen until he started winning, before then, he was just another Kobe Bryant.
LOL you were good until that last part. Kobe won early so his trajectory is nothing like Lebron or MJ. Kobe got to grow under Shaq so that makes his path more like Duncan's (though duncan wa sthe alpha when he rang) or Magic who joned a MVP caliber Kareem.
When Kobe first came into the league, he came into the perfect situation. He had one of the most dominant big men of all time in his prime on a veteran squad. All Kobe had to do is score on iso plays or shoot open jump shots. When Duncan came in, he did so as the cornerstone of a team. Big difference there playa. Anyway, this is about Lebron. Lebron had expectations thrusted on him from day one and people around here act like he should have multiple championships by now when the GOAT didn't win his first until the age of 28.
How about create shots, initiate the offense, guard both guard positions and even SF spot at times? In the playoffs Kobe was also the team's second leading rebounder and leading assists man. Kobe did what Lebron did for those Lakers, but he fought that role and he wasnt the number one option. Lebron actually embraces a facilitator's role, while Kobe is hungry and thirsty to score ...ALWAYS.
The reason why Lebron gets more heat than MJ, is because he is more GIFTED than MJ. He is a better all-around player and a superior athlete and specimen. Shaq maybe the only more gifted physically player in NBA history. (I never saw Wilt)
Oh, and YOU brought up Kobe, not me. I created the thread, it was comparing Lebron and MJ ... obsessed
never. it'll be jordan>kobe>lebron
I dont agree. Lebron still has a slim chance, at MJ decent shot at Magic and a good chance of surpassing Kobe and Duncan.. IF LBJ gets to at least 3 rings many would say he is better than Bird and many would give him the nod over Duncan/Shaq at 4 rings and Kobe/Magic at 5.
When Duncan came in, he had Robinson. He became the offensive focal point, but the Admiral was still the defensive anchor until his back declined.
That's not to say Duncan = Kobe or anything so reductive, but both succeeded early in their careers because they came into situations with another elite player that shouldered a big part of the load.
How can anyone say that Lebron is close to being Jordan or on his way to being Jordan? Kobe is closer to being Jordan than Lebron.
How can Lebron be like Jordan? Lebron may just now finally get his first ring after his 3rd time in the Finals. Jordan won 3 championships in his first 3 appearances in the Finals.
Is the Lebron - Jordan talk just an example of Lebron nuthugging?
Let's not kid ourselves here. When TD was drafted everyone in the Spurs organization anointed him as the franchise. By that time, injuries had taken a toll on DRob (back) and he was no longer the player he was in his prime years. That I believe is the reason Robinson relinquished is top dog status without as much as a peep. He knew that he no longer could carry the team consistently. Kobe, on the other hand, was a kid out of high school that was allowed to screw up and learn because he had the benefit of playing for a great coach with an all time great in his prime.
Right now it' all speculation, conjecture and projections. He hasnt won even one ring ... yet. But if gets 3 or 4 there will be some based on his great all-around play, his traditional stats and advanced stats that woul put him over guys with more rings. Not saying I would ... but I can see a case being made.
MJ @ age 27: 0 finals appearance/ 0 rings
Lebron @ age 27: 3 finals appearances/ on the cusp of his first
How about create shots, initiate the offense, guard both guard positions and even SF spot at times? In the playoffs Kobe was also the team's second leading rebounder and leading assists man. Kobe did what Lebron did for those Lakers, but he fought that role and he wasnt the number one option. Lebron actually embraces a facilitator's role, while Kobe is hungry and thirsty to score ...ALWAYS.
The reason why Lebron gets more heat than MJ, is because he is more GIFTED than MJ. He is a better all-around player and a superior athlete and specimen. Shaq maybe the only more gifted physically player in NBA history. (I never saw Wilt)
Oh, and YOU brought up Kobe, not me. I created the thread, it was comparing Lebron and MJ ... obsessed
The lakers ran the triangle offense that is by its nature initiated by post play...i.e. Shaq. The knock on Kobe has always been his selfish play so I don't know where you get this "creating shots" for others. If by creating shots you mean dumping a bail out pass to an open teammate with few seconds left on the shot clock, then I guess you win there.
Lebron, on the other hand, understand the game a lot better than Kobe or MJ. He understands that he alone won't win championships. It will take him not only making plays for himself but for his teammates.
The same thing people have always bashed Kobe for is the one thing Lebron actually does well and gets bashed for it.
So when did you get his tongue ring...before or after draft day?
So when did HE...when did HE get his tongue ring...before or after draft day?
Lebron is a great great player, but in Jordan' class?
GTFO
and the with the pink dress finally makes a cameo...can't have a laker/kobe thread w/o pink sally making an appearance
no one is putting him in MJ's class....yet
check out the thread le brah
Listen..all you had to say was: "Kool he got his tongue ring shortly after he was drafted"...I don't need smart ass comments...and the with the pink dress finally makes a cameo...can't have a laker/kobe thread w/o pink sally making an appearance
now let's try this again...ok?
So when did he get his tramp stamp?
Barkley's just saying this because he despises Kobe to his seal blubber heart
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
