NBA: Lebron James is a lock for the TOP 10 GOAT list

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

How is this relevant?

It's relevant because Russell had no offensive skill or ability other than overpowering frail honkies like Dolph Schayes. He was a defensive role player on a team surrounded by HOFers

[HarlemHeat37]

As I've been saying for years, Olajuwon is the most overrated player on the Internet..his peak was elite, but his overall career has many blemishes, yet he's revered as some type of God on forums, tbh..

There's a noticeable difference between top 10 peaks and top 10 careers..longevity plays a significant factor on the list for overall careers..Kobe, for example, is a lock for the top 10 careers, but I'm not sure about top 10 peaks..Olajuwon is the opposite..

As for The King, last year's version of Lebron was #2 on the peak list IMO, only behind '91 Jordan..

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

I still say Russell and Wilt are the most overrated players of all time.....but Hakeem is definitely overrated too.

[HarlemHeat37]

I don't try to rate them anymore..most people didn't watch them play, even through old tapes, and basketball was completely different at that point in time..what's the point?..

[Lincoln]

Is dirk a top 20 player

[Lincoln]

The carried his team on his ING back, had one of the toughest roads in recent memory, and was clutch as in multiple games.

And would have 2 rings if the biggest officiating travesty in modern sports history didn't happen.

[HarlemHeat37]

Yes, Dirk is top 20 career-wise, and possibly peak-wise, off the top of my head..

[irishock]

Jordan
Bryant
Magic
KAJ
Bird
Russell
Wilt
Shaq
Tim
LBJ

[StrengthAndHonor]

It's relevant because Russell had no offensive skill or ability other than overpowering frail honkies like Dolph Schayes. He was a defensive role player on a team surrounded by HOFers

Bill's compe ion at the time was not too great but he faced the mythical Wilt Chamberlain 142 times during a 10 year span. Russell's Celtics beat any of Wilt's team 10-1 in playoff series. He was also the only player in that era to hold Wilt Chamberlain almost 50% off his scoring average, despite Wilt being 3 inches, 50 lbs bigger than Russell. So, no, Bill didn't relied on Dolph Schayes to build his legacy.

[StrengthAndHonor]

I don't try to rate them anymore..most people didn't watch them play, even through old tapes, and basketball was completely different at that point in time..what's the point?..

I agree with this but some are just too obvious.

Mike at # 1, Magic at # 2, Bird within the Top 5-7 and Shaq with at least a ranking no lower than 8.

[StrengthAndHonor]

So, most reasonable posters so far has Olajuwon being replaced by Lebron. Sounds good to me.

[Killakobe81]

As I've been saying for years, Olajuwon is the most overrated player on the Internet..his peak was elite, but his overall career has many blemishes, yet he's revered as some type of God on forums, tbh..

There's a noticeable difference between top 10 peaks and top 10 careers..longevity plays a significant factor on the list for overall careers..Kobe, for example, is a lock for the top 10 careers, but I'm not sure about top eaks..Olajuwon is the opposite..
As for The King, last year's version of Lebron was #2 on the peak list IMO, only behind '91 Jordan..

I agree 100% peak Hakem and Shaq on Duncan and Kobe ...career I'm taking Timmy and KB. That is what is so amazing about MJ, LeBron (so far) and Kareem they have great peaks and amazingly consistent careers. Not sure I'm ready to say LeBron peak of last year is over Shaq in 2000 but he is probably third but LeBron last year was close.

[Captivus]

I think KAJ is the second, behind MJ.

[Killakobe81]

I also place Jabbar a close 2nd ...LeBron would need to pass Kareem before MJ ...

[StrengthAndHonor]

I agree 100% peak Hakem and Shaq on Duncan and Kobe ...career I'm taking Timmy and KB. That is what is so amazing about MJ, LeBron (so far) and Kareem and Le have great peaks and amazing careers. Not sure I'm ready to say LeBron peak of last year is over Shaq in 2000 but he is probably third but LeBron last year was close.

Nah, I wouldn't say its even close. This is not a knock on Lebron, he had an easier path going to the Finals last year than any of the aforementioned players. I think Shaq had the most dominating performance in todays generation followed by MJ's performance in 92-93 and Duncan in 2003

[StrengthAndHonor]

I also place Jabbar a close 2nd ...LeBron would need to pass Kareem before MJ ...

So weird coming from a Laker fan. Magic was much more valuable and iconic than Jabbar. He was justa better basketball player IMO. And the way he won those les are just remarkable, particularly the 1980 NBA Finals.

[Killakobe81]

So weird coming from a Laker fan. Magic was much more valuable and iconic than Jabbar. He was justa better basketball player IMO. And the way he won those les are just remarkable, particularly the 1980 NBA Finals.

I love Magic ... But HIV cut the tail off his CAREER which is the key word. I think Magic is one of the all time greatest leaders in team sports ..but his career though more dynamic and more impactful on the league still doesn't match KAREEM. HE IS MY ALL TIME FAVORITE player but just being honest ...also great business man but ty analyst.

[Koolaid_Man]

Possibly even Top 5. Who gets bumped out of the Top 5 or 10 list, 5-6 years from now?

1. Jordan
2. Magic
3. KAJ
4. Bill Russell
5. Larry Bird

IMO those are a lock. They don't necessarily have the best numbers when it comes to statistic but I fell like they brought a LOT to the game of basketball, they are proven winners and are all household names (With the exception of Russell perhaps because he's not in the spotlight so much). Overall, they're impact are irreplaceable. Newer generation will say Bird doesn't believe but I disagree. Without Bird, Magic and the Lakers story wouldve been a lot lsee interesting in the 80's.



The remaining 5 IMO are interchangeable.

6. Wilt
7. Shaq
8. Duncan
9. Kobe
10. Olajuwon


Lebron's a Top 12 player right now. Its only a matter of time before he moves up in the 30k points, 7.5k assists and 10k rebound club. All that with possibly 5 MVP's and 2-3 championship rings.

The way he's dominating right now and how his legacy is shaping up, he's really making the rest of the 3 in that list pale in comparison (Duncan, Olajuwon and Kobe)


Kobe has a chance to still cement his spot. If he wins another le and finals MVP along with his scoring accolades, he may very well be solid 8th or 9th spot in that list.


So who does Lebron replace in that Top 10 list when his career is all said and done?

Hey Fellas News Flash:

None Of Your Opinions Count

[Killakobe81]

So weird coming from a Laker fan. Magic was much more valuable and iconic than Jabbar. He was justa better basketball player IMO. And the way he won those les are just remarkable, particularly the 1980 NBA Finals.

Jabbar also won multiple MVPs before the award became bull

[StrengthAndHonor]

Hey Fellas News Flash:

None Of Your Opinions Count

It does count. You'd be surprised how an internet buzz can make so much impact. Matter of fact, every time I watch people on ESPN, they seem to just go with the flow on what's trending on the web and other social sites.

[StrengthAndHonor]

I love Magic ... But HIV cut the tail off his CAREER which is the key word. I think Magic is one of the all time greatest leaders in team sports ..but his career though more dynamic and more impactful on the league still doesn't match KAREEM. HE IS MY ALL TIME FAVORITE player but just being honest ...also great business man but ty analyst.

Yeah, but there's no glam and story behind Kareem's accomplishments. I feel like he came and did his job and that was that. He's probably the most unimpressive candidate in that list, followed by Duncan. There's just no excitement in him. Basketball afterall is still an entertainment, but I give him my respect simply because of the sheer awesomeness of his numbers.

[Koolaid_Man]

Lebron is also playing in an era where the compe ion (especially at his position) is really truly watered down compared to the 90's and early to mid 2000's....Lebron in reality isn't doing anything we haven't seen before..he has a basic power dunk and he's gifted physically - sorry but I can't give him points for his DNA..if he was doing this in previous era dominated by the Bulls, Lakers, Spurs, and Lakers again then I'd consider it... even if he played in a tough Western conference in that era I would consider it..even if he played against the Knicks teams that MJ went through I'd consider it...I doubt this cat is as mentally strong as MJ was to get through those hardcore Knick teams..the dude is playing in a gravy train era right now...there's no tough guys left... but tbh I'm not overly impressed with the guy...when he was in a Jordan situation in Cleveland he left...if Wade goes down this year and he's playing with only Bosh, Lebron will get exposed yet again...

Even with one ing ring he will go down as top 10 due to the NBA Hype machine....I'm betting on the Knicks to knock the Heat out...

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

Bill's compe ion at the time was not too great but he faced the mythical Wilt Chamberlain 142 times during a 10 year span. Russell's Celtics beat any of Wilt's team 10-1 in playoff series. He was also the only player in that era to hold Wilt Chamberlain almost 50% off his scoring average, despite Wilt being 3 inches, 50 lbs bigger than Russell. So, no, Bill didn't relied on Dolph Schayes to build his legacy.

Like I said, he was a defensive role player who defended Wilt well. This post does nothing to dispute the fact he had no game on offense.

[StrengthAndHonor]

Yeah, it would be interesting to see how the Heat would fare against the 2008 celtics, the Spurs and Bulls. I agree though, I think this season is pretty weak. You have the Clippers and OKC in the west and pretty much none in the East other than Miami. Knicks are pretenders though.

[StrengthAndHonor]

Like I said, he was a defensive role player who defended Wilt well. This post does nothing to dispute the fact he had no game on offense.

So first you argue that Bill built his legacy facing Honkies, I just proved that's not the case so you drift away and criticize his offense lmao. Whatever dude.