NBA: Nba tv showing MJ

[jermaine]

Man how can people try to compare weak ass labron to Jordan! Dude just gets up an has dunked on every big in the league. Labrick dunks on 5ft dudes. In the famous words of Mark Jackson "Excuse me, I got an appointment with the rim".

[Thebesteva]

Because in order to be a true MJ fan that was alive and able to see the majority of his games you have to now be in your early 40's and those dudes aren't usually posting on boards. The average age demographic for message boards is 16-30 and most never seen MJ play in his prime, just saw some youtube highlights and read his stats.

Lebron and Kobe are a SOLID notch or two below MJ. Especially considering that Lebron plays in an era where you're not allowed to handcheck. Anyone who debates otherwise is basically wearing a noobie to basketball badge.

[spurraider21]

Because in order to be a true MJ fan that was alive and able to see the majority of his games you have to now be in your early 40's and those dudes aren't usually posting on boards. The average age demographic for message boards is 16-30 and most never seen MJ play in his prime, just saw some youtube highlights and read his stats.

Lebron and Kobe are a SOLID notch or two below MJ. Especially considering that Lebron plays in an era where you're not allowed to handcheck. Anyone who debates otherwise is basically wearing a noobie to basketball badge.

It's hard to hold rules against a player. LeBron can't go back in time and play in the 90's. He can't amend the rules so that people are allowed to hand-check. Imagine how much more dominant LeBron would be defensively if he were allowed to handcheck. By that logic, nobody will ever be as good as Jordan. Even if somebody enters the league, averages 40-15-15, wins 8 straight les, MVP's, etc. people like you will say "well Jordan's era was tougher, hand checking, yada yada."

I'm not here to say LeBron > MJ but im just sayin its not right to hold a player's era against him. I could argue the reverse and say MJ would foul out every game if he tried to play that kind of D in today's game

[Thebesteva]

It's hard to hold rules against a player. LeBron can't go back in time and play in the 90's. He can't amend the rules so that people are allowed to hand-check. Imagine how much more dominant LeBron would be defensively if he were allowed to handcheck. By that logic, nobody will ever be as good as Jordan. Even if somebody enters the league, averages 40-15-15, wins 8 straight les, MVP's, etc. people like you will say "well Jordan's era was tougher, hand checking, yada yada."

I'm not here to say LeBron > MJ but im just sayin its not right to hold a player's era against him. I could argue the reverse and say MJ would foul out every game if he tried to play that kind of D in today's game

I understand what you're saying and you're right, but let me rephrase it by saying Lebron heavily requires the help of refs. Every other play is him charging into a guy in the paint and getting a foul drawn. He's a great player but his footwork, work ethic, and sheer will power are dwarfed by MJ. BTW I am not an MJ fan by any means, just stating my opinion but I'm old enough to have seen Jordan play for the majority of his rings.

[Clipper Nation]

I understand what you're saying and you're right, but let me rephrase it by saying Lebron heavily requires the help of refs.

And MJ didn't get a ridiculous amount of calls? Arguably the most famous play of his career was an offensive foul that didn't get called because he's Jordan

In fact, if anything, LeBron's a lot less ref-reliant than Jordan, tbh.... because of the strength and athleticism advantages he holds over most of the league, refs are more inclined to swallow their whistles and assume he can "just play through" more contact than other players (the same treatment that guys like Dwight and Blake get)....

[ambchang]

In terms of dominance, Lebron's peak is similar to what Jordan's peak was. I am serious. I have seen Jordan through all his rings, as well as his struggles with the Pistons. NBA wasn't that huge back then and I didn't get to see as many games in the 80s as I did in the 90s, but I have seen them play. Jordan in the 80s was very similar to King James in the 00s, one dominant individual amongst a mediocre team. The difference is, Jordan NEVER failed with a supporting cast as strong as the 11 Heat, never, and Lebron did.

It's not a secret, but Lebron's game was based on his sheer size, while Jordan dominated with his combination of size and speed, along with his continuously expanding game. Jordan, by the early/mid 90s, literally had no weakness in his offensive game, he was that dominant. Lebron is not there yet, but he can make up for it with his amazing athletic gifts.

[Clipper Nation]

The difference is, Jordan NEVER failed with a supporting cast as strong as the 11 Heat, never, and Lebron did.

To be fair, who was realistically going to be the 2011 Mavs to the Bulls' 2011 Heat? The Suns and Jazz were led by known choke artists, and the Lakers, Blazers, and Sonics just weren't good enough.... the one team that could have done it imo was Hakeem's Rockets (Jordan was actually 10-13 all-time in head-to-head matchups with Hakeem), but their trips to the Finals unfortunately coincided with MJ's "retirement" (gambling suspension)...

The hate LeBron gets for 2011 is overblown anyway, tbh.... NOBODY was beating the Mavs that year, and the Heat didn't even have the most embarrassing performance against that team in the playoffs that year (that would go to Kirby and the Lakers for getting swept and absolutely dominated), tbh.... LeBron had a bad series, but if losing in the first round so many times and choking against Shaq's Magic doesn't diminish MJ's legacy, one bad series against a team of destiny shouldn't ruin LeBron's...

[Captivus]

Unless Lebron wins a few more rings, a serious argument cant be made. Myabe he can, maybe he cant do it.
Most people agree Lebron is a more all-around player, I agree but I'm not sure if that is something I have to take into account in order to define who is better.
5 Lebron vs. 5 Jordan? Is that important?
At the end, he needs rings, at least 4 more.

[DMC]

During the photo shoot for the original Dream Team, Magic and the rest were standing there as was Mike, and they were getting placed for the group photo. Magic says "don't stand too close to Mike, that's a foul".

[ambchang]

Vs. the Magic, Jordan was back for 17 games. He wasn't in game shape, and it showed. Also, during his first few years in the league, he SHOULD have lost in the first round, everybody expected it, and he was never the favourites in any of the series. Compared to the 11 Heat, who were huge favourites vs. the Mavs, the Bulls won when they were supposed to (and sometimes when they were not expected to), and lost only when it was clear they had the lesser team.

The Mavs played very well that season, but I am not trying to diminish their accomplishments, but the Heat was supposed to win, and didn't.

The one thing for the Bulls though (especially the 1st 3-peat version), is that they always struggle with a dominant big. It's the reason they traded Oakley for Cartwright, but that wasn't enough against the elite of the elite bigs. The Bulls didn't outright dominate the Knicks everytime because of Ewing , and players like Shaq, Robinson and of course, Hakeem, were way better players than Ewing ever was. Sure, the Bulls destroyed Shaq in 96, but the Magic's team, outside of Penny and Shaq, were horrible, it's like the Rockets destroyed their will to live. , the 2nd 3-peat version struggled against Rik Smits a couple of times during 98, and the Pacers almost stole that series.

If the Bulls ever matched up against the Rockets, it would be at least a 7 game series, and I would put money on the Rockets to beat the Bulls.

Finally, yes, Jordan was one of the most protected players by the Sterns, he was already pretty much impossible to guard, but with the Sterns, there was just no way in the rest of the league stood a chacne.

[Killakobe81]

Vs. the Magic, Jordan was back for 17 games. He wasn't in game shape, and it showed. Also, during his first few years in the league, he SHOULD have lost in the first round, everybody expected it, and he was never the favourites in any of the series. Compared to the 11 Heat, who were huge favourites vs. the Mavs, the Bulls won when they were supposed to (and sometimes when they were not expected to), and lost only when it was clear they had the lesser team.

The Mavs played very well that season, but I am not trying to diminish their accomplishments, but the Heat was supposed to win, and didn't.

The one thing for the Bulls though (especially the 1st 3-peat version), is that they always struggle with a dominant big. It's the reason they traded Oakley for Cartwright, but that wasn't enough against the elite of the elite bigs. The Bulls didn't outright dominate the Knicks everytime because of Ewing , and players like Shaq, Robinson and of course, Hakeem, were way better players than Ewing ever was. Sure, the Bulls destroyed Shaq in 96, but the Magic's team, outside of Penny and Shaq, were horrible, it's like the Rockets destroyed their will to live. , the 2nd 3-peat version struggled against Rik Smits a couple of times during 98, and the Pacers almost stole that series.

If the Bulls ever matched up against the Rockets, it would be at least a 7 game series, and I would put money on the Rockets to beat the Bulls.

Finally, yes, Jordan was one of the most protected players by the Sterns, he was already pretty much impossible to guard, but with the Sterns, there was just no way in the rest of the league stood a chacne.

Another excellent post when Kobe/Duncan and now Pau aren't involved ..

[Thread]

& they never talk bout those 2 years in DC. Ever.

tee, hee.

[jermaine]

Labrick will never dominate a game like Jordan! Point blank period. Im 35 an I've forgotten how good Jordan was. When I see film of him, its like watching a God. I hated Jordan coming up sad to say cuz my step dad loved him so much. I loved to see Jordan get beat up in the paint, but he still kept coming an winning. You put to much pressure on Labron he lose it an throw elbows. Ask Booser that. You beat up Jordan, he turn around an score 45 on your whole team. Now labron is great, but like Jordan people wont get the full effect he has had on the game until he's on his way out. I just wish he would've stayed in Cleveland. You dont leave your team an your the leagues MVP. That sounds like.the Cowboys getting rid of Jimmy Johnson after a championship. Just sad.

[Clipper Nation]

Labrick will never dominate a game like Jordan!

Mainly because LeBron dominates games in a completely different way than Jordan (or really anyone else in NBA history).... while MJ was the typical high-usage wing, LBJ plays and guards every position except center at an elite level....

I really think LeBron will retire as the GOAT, tbh....

[Thread]

I really think LeBron will retire as the GOAT, tbh....

& all you have to do is say it. So easy that way.

[AaronY]

Mainly because LeBron dominates games in a completely different way than Jordan (or really anyone else in NBA history).... while MJ was the typical high-usage wing

lawlz Jordan had 13 triple doubles in 14 games at one point in his career. He was an exceptionally talented passer and rebounder...plus won DPOY. If you were alive when he played you would have heard Jerry West constantly call him the best defensive player in the league. Set records for blocks shot as a guard, led the league in steals three times...guy was good to great at pretty much everything

[Clipper Nation]

lawlz Jordan had 13 triple doubles in 14 games at one point in his career. He was an exceptionally talented passer and rebounder...plus won DPOY. If you were alive when he played you would have heard Jerry West constantly call him the best defensive player in the league. Set records for blocks shot as a guard, led the league in steals three times...guy was good to great at pretty much everything

I obviously watched the MJ era, and I'm absolutely not saying Jordan wasn't great at a lot of things, but that doesn't mean he played the same way as LeBron....

The best comparison I can think of for LBJ is that he's what Grant Hill should have been, if only Hill could have stayed healthy in his prime....

[jermaine]

Labrick hasn't surpassed Kobe yet! He show as shouldn't be mentioned with MJ. An that's BIBLE. He hasn't closed out enough gms to say anything.

[Thread]

...nary a in' word.

[Latarian Milton]

my bron hasn't peaked yet. he's been the league's best for quite a few years now and he's still improving. not gonna say he's already established himself the GOAT of all time but at least he has a legit shot at getting himself right there when all is said and done imho