Heat: Laimbeer: Lebron would be the best in my era

[TheGoldStandard]

So many variables to factor in here

- Is it a plug and play type situation with current version Lebron or do we see skinny bron before he beefed up?
- who's he playing for, who's his coach (how will he be used)

I don't think the physical play would have stopped him, after all it's still basketball and you learn to take what the defense gives you. The 80's had physical play between teams that really hated each other, they went at it but there was a lot of finesse in the 80's as well and there were a several guys who could score at will. I think much of Lebron's success would have been on what team he would have been on, can't win championships alone and he's a shining example of that with his Cleveland days.

[spurraider21]

Comparing LeBron and MJ in that regard. It's not as if MJ had someone on his team who averaged 18 rebounds per game for their career . It's also not as if they had one of the best all-around players of all time on their team.

cherry picking but not knowing what the you're talking about

are you forgetting which position you are trying to argue? you are literally demonstrating that MJ had loads of help in an attempt to prop MJ up? lol

You mean soft-ass Bosh e

a) using skip bayless material
b) using a funny nickname is not an argument to downgrade what bosh brings to that team

what exactly is your point? reggie wasn't as good as ray so that means he wasn't a great SG?

the fact is, Ray Allen was never a #1 on a true contender, or rather, should never have been. in his prime he would have been a worthy #2. before he was a #3 on boston, he made 1 ECF with the bucks in a pathetic east that was eventually represented by the sixers led by iverson

ray allen is a laughable #1 option, and as Malik Hairston said, Reggie is a not-as-good version of Ray, making him an even more laughable #1

[Sean Cagney]

You have to factor in that Laimbeer hated Jordan with a passion so you can only take his comments with a grain of salt that was more of a parting shot at MJ than a compliment towards Lebron. By your logic I guess I should take Rodman's comments seriously since he said recently that Lebron would be a second rate player during the 80's and 90s had he played during that time period. He also said the Heat would easily lose to any of the second tier teams during the 90's. I should also take John Salley's comments seriously since he said that Kobe is better than both MJ and Lebron since he was from that era. Your nothing but a hardcore Lebron fanboy. Do you honestly believe anybody on the current Raptors teams is a better one on one defender than Rodman and Dumars. Name me one guy who is better than those 2 defense wise.

It is Harlem Heat btw, the Fanboy of the Ages for Lebron! LOL at Salley as well and Laimbeer, I know they have a hate for MJ deep inside honestly and will say the just to spite their rival! I know for a fact that is it. Some have said MJ would average near 40 or so in this era as well! Guess we should listen to all of what someone says as facts now! Harlem is a fanboy of Bron period. I have never seen MJ in his prime look scared in a big game or turning the ball over like Bron has! He has looked terrified in big games where as MJ would look and smile and confident! I don't see that in Bron alot of times.

[RsxPiimp]

I'm not trying to on Dad Killer, btw, he's one of the 3 best players of all-time, and probably the #1 athlete of all-time when we're ranking pro athletes that were involved in the murder of a parent..

[jermaine]

please...Karl Malone would have made Bron look like a ing bean pole...in fact Rodman would have shut Bron down...been all up in his soft little ass....If Malone couldn't wit h Rodman what makes your dumb ass think Lebron could...man I tell ya...you cats get dumber by the min

This is so true. Not only Rodman, Anthony Mason or Charles Oakley also. I grew up loving the Pistons an Knicks cuz the ruff you up at ude. Labron would go in the paint enough so his game definitely wouldn't be the same. He lacks the killer instincts that Jordan had. That Kobe has. So I don't think Labron would've made it.

[StrengthAndHonor]

Rule changes have significant impact from an individual defense perspective. Defenses like today forces teams to operate as a team and constant ball movement while earlier defenses favour one on one players. Lebron is a gear player but he is not a the GOAT one on one player. As for defensive energy, you do know Jordan won DPoY and was one of the fiercest defensive player of all time, right? Jordan's defensive win shares were on average higher than Lebron. Jordan's carter high rebounds is the same as Lebron despite being smaller shorter and a guard. Lastly, Jordan had a way higher usage rate. I mean, saying Jordan didn't have to exert energy on defense and rebounding is borderline re ed. Not to mention ridiculously weak teams in today's era (read: the entire eastern conference) drastically dragging down the defensive ratings numbers and we are it only talking about different rules, but a totally different sample set of teams and talent. Yet you try to come in and make it some like everything is equal and defensive rating is the be all and end all.

I hope this didnt flew under anyones radar. This post nailed it IMO.

[jermaine]

please...Karl Malone would have made Bron look like a ing bean pole...in fact Rodman would have shut Bron down...been all up in his soft little ass....If Malone couldn't wit h Rodman what makes your dumb ass think Lebron could...man I tell ya...you cats get dumber by the min

This is so true. Not only Rodman, Anthony Mason or Charles Oakley also. I grew up loving the Pistons an Knicks cuz the ruff you up at ude. Labron would go in the paint enough so his game definitely wouldn't be the same. He lacks the killer instincts that Jordan had. That Kobe has. So I don't think Labron would've made it.

[JoeTait75]

Nobody has mentioned that had LeBron played in the '80s he wouldn't have come straight to the NBA out of high school; he would have played at least 2-3 years of high-level college ball, probably in an elite program under an elite coach. So instead of learning on the job under the tutelage of guys like Paul Silas and Mike Brown he would have entered the NBA with 2-3 years of developing his game under someone like Dean Smith. That would have been huge for LeBron, IMO, in terms of knowing how to play defense and how to perform under pressure in big games.

[RsxPiimp]

Nobody has mentioned that had LeBron played in the '80s he wouldn't have come straight to the NBA out of high school; he would have played at least 2-3 years of high-level college ball, probably in an elite program under an elite coach. So instead of learning on the job under the tutelage of guys like Paul Silas and Mike Brown he would have entered the NBA with 2-3 years of developing his game under someone like Dean Smith. That would have been huge for LeBron, IMO, in terms of knowing how to play defense and how to perform under pressure in big games.

I think college programs are great but to be quite honest it probably has little impact in the pro level, they learn fundamentals and retain those but everything else is scrapped in the NBA. Different league, different rules, higher level of compe ion . The great players regardless of who coached them can fine tune their skill level as they go along. It's no surprise that some of the best college players are unable to translate their success in the pro level, simply put, they're skill level is not as good without a system in place to make then successful where as a highly skilled athlete will produce under any cir stance.


I think Lebron is going to be an absolute beast no matter which era. I don't know if he'll be THE best, but considering his would be compe or for that le is a skinny ass Jordan, Bird and Magic, both whom are below his level and perhaps Barkley, I'd buy that idea.

Fwiw, I can't help but wonder how Lebron in that Cleveland team would fare against Jordan's Bulls. Just thinking about it, Jordan wouldn't be the legend that he is today. Best believe that.

[lefty]

^
Lol the 1990s Cavs didn't have LBJ, but they were stacked compared to the Lebron version.

Lebron's Cavs would have gotten their asses handed to them.

On the other hand, the Blazers with a healthy and younger Sabonis would have prevented MJ from winning a bunch of les.

And ambchang is right, it's no coincidence that 2former Pistons have said that MJ is not the best ever

[Kawhi]

Lebron gets bullied by 6'0 feet tall guards what makes you think he can handle guys like Rodman, Worthy, Malone, etc.

[Trainwreck2100]

Boiled down: Dad Killer had stacked teams to carry him, whereas LeBron has to do everything himself

Until he colluded with 2 all stars and joined up with them because he couldn't do it by himself m

[Clipper Nation]

On the other hand, the Blazers with a healthy and younger Sabonis would have prevented MJ from winning a bunch of les.

lol tschlong

Additionally, if the Sonics didn't always get away with illegal defense against Houston, Hakeem would have pushed Dad Killer's in

[Clipper Nation]

Until he colluded with 2 all stars and joined up with them because he couldn't do it by himself m

Yet every year, LeBron has to switch into "Cleveland Mode" in the playoffs to bail out Wade and Bosh.... when LeBron simply doesn't have it for a series, like in 2011, that "stacked" Heat team is ed

Compare that to Dad Killer choking against the Sonics in '96 (5-19 from the floor and 5 turnovers in Game 6), they still won because the team was actually stacked

[G-Dawgg]

Lebron would not get nearly as many layups with bruisers like Oakley, Horace Grant, Mason, Rodman, Xavier McDaniel, and Karl Malone, in the paint... not to mention that was the era when the 'true centers' patrolled the paint. Every team had a gigantic 7foot center to block shots... Robinson, Mutombo, Olajuwan, Ewing, Mourning, O'neal, Duckworth, Divac, Smits, Campbell.. the list goes on.. Lebron would settle for more jumpers. Otherwise he'd be getting blocked Plumlee-style on a regular basis...

[JoeTait75]

Fwiw, I can't help but wonder how Lebron in that Cleveland team would fare against Jordan's Bulls. Just thinking about it, Jordan wouldn't be the legend that he is today. Best believe that.

Considering SF was the weakest position on that team, and you would have been swapping out Mike Sanders for LeBron? Ridiculous.. Just think about how that team would have shared the ball w/Price, LeBron and Daugherty (the best passing center in the game at the time.) They would have had to outlaw that team.

[Venti Quattro]

Lebron would not get nearly as many layups with bruisers like Oakley, Horace Grant, Mason, Rodman, Xavier McDaniel, and Karl Malone, in the paint... not to mention that was the era when the the 'true centers ' patrolled the paint. Every team had a gigantic 7foot center to block shots... Robinson, Mutombo, Olajuwan, Ewing, Mourning, O'neal, Duckworth, Divac, Smits, Campbell.. the list goes on.. Lebron would settle for more jumpers. Otherwise he'd be getting blocked Plumlee-style on a regular basis...

LeBron is a combination of bulk, power and speed. He might get blocked once in a while, but he will overpower these big men.

[lefty]

G-dawgg with the troof bombs

[G-Dawgg]

Those were the days when the dinosaurs roamed the paint..

[TDMVPDPOY]

lebron ted the bed when kawhi d him up like a he is...nothing see here

[RsxPiimp]

Lebron would not get nearly as many layups with bruisers like Oakley, Horace Grant, Mason, Rodman, Xavier McDaniel, and Karl Malone, in the paint... not to mention that was the era when the the 'true centers ' patrolled the paint. Every team had a gigantic 7foot center to block shots... Robinson, Mutombo, Olajuwan, Ewing, Mourning, O'neal, Duckworth, Divac, Smits, Campbell.. the list goes on.. Lebron would settle for more jumpers. Otherwise he'd be getting blocked Plumlee-style on a regular basis...

But Jordan had no problems scoring in the paint during those days. I can't imagine Lebron shying away from contact. People are citing Lebrons flops as weakness but it's not synonymous with physical play. I don't support it and actually wish he would change, he doesn't need it but unfortunately the league has turned a blind eye on it. The rules they have implemented are a joke. Players nowadays are looking for any extra edge they could get which is no different than what players are doing back then by way of intimidation.

[RsxPiimp]

Considering SF was the weakest position on that team, and you would have been swapping out Mike Sanders for LeBron? Ridiculous.. Just think about how that team would have shared the ball w/Price, LeBron and Daugherty (the best passing center in the game at the time.) They would have had to outlaw that team.

My man JoeTait75 skipping the duck tales. That Cavs team with Lebron would challenge the Pistons and Celtics IMO.

[lefty]

Well the Cavs were stacked back then, so Im sure Lebron would have had all the help needed to win multiple les in the late 80s/90s

[Trainwreck2100]

Yet every year, LeBron has to switch into "Cleveland Mode" in the playoffs to bail out Wade and Bosh.... when LeBron simply doesn't have it for a series, like in 2011, that "stacked" Heat team is ed

Compare that to Dad Killer choking against the Sonics in '96 (5-19 from the floor and 5 turnovers in Game 6), they still won because the team was actually stacked

Who bailed out LeBron and got the rebound off his miss in game six?

[Clipper Nation]

Who bailed out LeBron and got the rebound off his miss in game six?

Who blew the Heat's lead in the final minutes when he checked in and ruined the spacing of their offense? Who hit the clutch shot with 20.1 remaining that made Allen's shot matter?