I think that moniker rightfully belongs to this guy. I think the NBA wants so desperately for Lebron to become the next
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Caffeine-Free — 18 years ago(October 14, 2007 10:09 PM)
What people don't seem to understand is that he's young and somewhat inexperienced. He's only 22, whereas Bryant is what? 29? And he's been in the league for how long? Probably about ten years or more and is a three-time NBA champion? And Wade? He's a little older than LeBron, played basketball in college and has a ring. And Duncan? Haha! Like Kobe, he has years of experience, several championships, is far older than LeBron and like Wade, he played in college. It really isn't justified to compare him to people like that. It doesn't equal up. LeBron is a very skilled player, but just like anyone who has only been in the NBA for a few years and came straight out of high school, he still has to work his way up and improve. Look at some of the players who are still doing that right now. Tracy McGrady and Kevin Garnett, for exampleboth came out of high school, are tremendous players and whom after all their years in the NBA, still have yet to win a ring.
And another difference between him and all of those guys? They had and/or have teams who are able to win. On Cleveland, LeBron has no one but himself. He's undoubtedly the best player on that team, and truly is among (not the best, but is among) the most talented players in the league right now. You have to cut him some slack. He certainly isn't the best, and as one of the definite fan-favorites, he can be over-hyped. In the end though, right now, he's just a young player with a very mediocre team that simply isn't strong enough to back him up. -
coold_as_ice — 18 years ago(November 17, 2007 12:46 PM)
What do you mean hyped?
Last night he had something like 40 pts, 15 assists, 15 rebounds and made last second clutch shots, became the ONLY player EVER since WILT CHAMBERLAIN to make such numbers
And yes, not even "the greatest player of all time" Michael Jordan has done it
Lets all just shut up and give Lebron respect shall we? -
tsiterp83 — 18 years ago(November 17, 2007 10:07 PM)
Stop living in your dream world. First off, Lebron's line was 40 pts. 10 rebs. and 9 assists. Second of all, Jordan never did this? Let me take you back to the 1988-1989 season in three straight games against Detroit, Atlanta, and Indiana his lines were 40,11,7; 40,12,10; and 47,13,11 (pts, asts, rebs) respectively.
If you want respect for Lebron how about you give some respect for what Jordan has ALREADY done. -
SuccessfulSeductress — 18 years ago(November 22, 2007 09:07 AM)
Stop living in your dream world. First off, Lebron's line was 40 pts. 10 rebs. and 9 assists. Second of all, Jordan never did this? Let me take you back to the 1988-1989 season in three straight games against Detroit, Atlanta, and Indiana his lines were 40,11,7; 40,12,10; and 47,13,11 (pts, asts, rebs) respectively.
If you want respect for Lebron how about you give some respect for what Jordan has ALREADY done.
Haha, you again?
I'd like to see Jordan put up those numbers in today's game. It's a bit tougher to do when teams don't routinely put up 110 points a game and offensive players don't have to worry about zone defense anymore.
"I beep animals" - Me
I hope to make you all a cup of coffee one day. -
tsiterp83 — 18 years ago(November 22, 2007 07:54 PM)
Actually I think it would be quite easy for him, since no one now knows how to defend a simple pick and roll. That zone defense excuse is a bunch of bull s*&^ and you know it. It's not even a real zone. The 3 second rule basically kills the essense of the zone. If players are so worried about zones now then why does team USA have so much trouble playing against it? And I'm not the only person who will talk about how Jordan was still able to rip apart those defenses past the age of 38. Are you actually telling me it's harder for Lebron to put up those numbers against the 2007-08 Jazz than it was for Jordan to put up just as good numbers against the eventual world champion Pistons? Are you kidding me? I guess I shouldn't expect anything less from someone as fickle as you.
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tsiterp83 — 18 years ago(November 22, 2007 08:10 PM)
But fine if you want to go there. How about his 45 pt., 10 reb., 7 ast. effort he had against New Jersey the first year the5b4y implemented the zone. Or how about the 35 pt., 11 reb., 6 ast. game he had against Houston after he turned 40. And he did it when the offensive production wasn't nearly as great as it is now. Not so far fetched now is it?
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SuccessfulSeductress — 18 years ago(November 23, 2007 07:37 PM)
The "it was harder to score back then" excuse is the realy BS, in my opinion. 3 second rule- sorry, but you're reaching there. Teams manage to zone up easily all the time without having to worry about that three second rule. That's really just a lame excuse.
And quite frankly, the zone is only part of the picture. The simple fact is that it was easier to put up huge numbers way back then. Playing the 80's was like playing on today's Phoenix Suns- the16d0 game was so fast-paced that everyone had a nice boost in their numbers. Look at Steve Nash's production in Dallas and how his numbers jumped when he went to Phoenix.
But fine if you want to go there. How about his 45 pt., 10 reb., 7 ast. effort he had against New Jersey the first year they implemented the zone.
If you want to go there, then why don't I just cite Lebron's shoot-out with Dwyane Wade, where he went 45/9/12? Keep in mind that Lebron got those 9 assists without a championship caliber supporting cast to make his passes to, unlike Jordan's.
Quite frankly, I don't really see the point in comparing Lebron to Jordan. No one ever be close to MJ. He really was just an all-around freak of nature. His will and mental toughness are what make him unsurpassable. I think that Lebron would be able to put up similar numbers in the Jordan era. I think that a young Lebron would've led those mid to late 80's Chicago Bulls to a better record than the young Jordan did. I think that Lebron has more god-gifted talent than Jordan did, but he doesn't have Jordan's mind-set that might change, but for now, Lebron is no MJ. Jordan's legacy is more than just numbers to me.
And quite frankly, I think it's pretty pointless to bring Jordan into this discussion. Lebron is simply playing at a higher level than any other player in this league right now. For the first time in his career, he's actually playing really good defense, and his jump-shot is getting better with each game. Unfortunately, his supporting cast is stinking it up.
"I beep animals" - Me
I hope to make you all a cup of coffee one day. -
tsiterp83 — 18 years ago(November 24, 2007 01:39 PM)
The "it was harder to score back then" excuse is the realy BS, in my opinion. 3 second rule- sorry, but you're reaching there. Teams manage to zone up easily all the time without having to worry about that three second rule. That's really just a lame excuse.
It's not an excuse it's simple fact. There were just purely better individual defenders back in the 80s and 90s. It's BS to you because you apparently didn't grow up with it. And who cares if teams can implement zones easily it's not a "true" zone because of the 3 sec rule. Besides the zone was implemented in the first place to make the game more free flowing, to do away with players dribbling too much and encourage spacing. So in fact having the zone shouldn't have had much of an impact on assists.
Another thing I want to add. The way MJ played offense was more conducive to play against zone defenses. MJ didn't always need to have the ball in his hands to create his offensive opportunities and that was because he was one of the best off the ball scorers in the game. His ability to knock down midrange jumpshots off screens, and make cuts to the basket are two things in which zone defenses are susceptable.
And quite frankly, the zone is only part of the picture. The simple fact is that it was easier to put up huge numbers way back then. Playing the 80's was like playing on today's Phoenix Suns- the game was so fast-paced that everyone had a nice boost in their numbers. Look at Steve Nash's production in Dallas and how his numbers jumped when he went to Phoenix.
The only reason scoring was up back in the 80s wasn't because it was easier, it was because teams knew how to run the break the 2 on 1 and 3 on 2 breaks, they knew how to make mid-range shots, they didn't have players sitting behind the 3 point lines on breaks, they knew how to run a half court offense, and if you take a look 5b4at the numbers they had more possesions per game than they do now. That's what caused the higher scoring, it's because of the simple fundamentals these players lack, not because it's harder to score.
If you want to go there, then why don't I just cite Lebron's shoot-out with Dwyane Wade, where he went 45/9/12? Keep in mind that Lebron got those 9 assists without a championship caliber supporting cast to make his passes to, unlike Jordan's.
Are you kidding me? Apparently you think MJs Wizards cast was championship caliber. Keep in mind those numbers MJ posted was during ages 39 and 40. I don't think Lebron would have lead them to better records because I don't think Lebron is that much more physically gifted than Jordan. I would give Lebron the slight edge. But exactly how could have Lebron led them to a better record when the Bulls were basically a sub 30 win team without Jordan? In a conference that Lebron wouldn't have had the luxury to beat on so many mediocre teams. -
vipergj — 16 years ago(April 23, 2009 07:42 PM)
Haha Shutup Johnny Depp. Your post blows my mind. Jordan would put up those numbers in today's game and rip them to shreds.
I don't care how much you like LeBron James but please stop hating on Jordan, just shut up. It's obvious to me you must have been born after '95 because if you ever saw Jordan play in a live game on T.V and not a 15 year old re-run you would not be disrespecting the man.
No it's not tougher today because when Jordan put up those kinds of numbers he was facing people like John Stockton, Reggie Miller, and Karl Malone. Leave Jordan out of this, if he was the same age, he would put up the exact same numbers today as he did years ago, more then likely even better. Your excuse is pitiful and shows you obviously know nothing about basketball.
And worse then all of this is your dis-respect for Michael Jordan. You have to be some 13 year old kid who has only heard about Michael Jordan through stories and never seen him play.
It's a shame that your bashing MJ, who has already accomplished more than any player that is playing today wishes they could accomplish, for LBJ who has yet to prove himself the way MJ did. Your bashing proof with hope.
You HOPE LBJ will be better then MJ, but the PROOF is that MJ was the greatest player to play the game in his time, if not ever, he was the most dominating player period. You might hope LBJ comes close to what MJ did in his career but until it's proven(which will have to be a long, long time away) shut your hating ass disrespectful mouth. -
oboyleconor — 17 years ago(May 01, 2008 09:39 PM)
If you want respect for Lebron how about you give some respect for what Jordan has ALREADY done
tsiterp83you're an idiotyou're just spitting out stats to sound smartjordan played against magic and the lakers and that was pretty much it; the rest were a bunch of slow white guys; LeBron has to go against D-Wade, Dwight Howard, Baron Davis, the modern-day Western Conference(Suns, Mavs), the BOSTON CELTICS, and most importantly, KOBE! Also, Jordan had a GREAT supporting castLebron has Boobie GibsonWallace and Szczerbiak haven't done a whole lot since the trade, West has performed well, but the Cavs are still essentially shooting-guard-less. In addition, Zydrunas Ilgauskus' days are numbered, and the Cavs are PLAGUED with injuries. LeBron has to do it all himself. He is the pulse of the team. I'm not saying he's the best, but i am saying that you can't really compare MJ and LBJ, because LeBron has harder match-ups and less help. -
tsiterp83 — 17 years ago(June 14, 2008 12:31 PM)
tsiterp83you're an idiotyou're just spitting out stats to sound smartjordan played against magic and the lakers and that was pretty much it; the rest were a bunch of slow white guys; LeBron has to go against D-Wade, Dwight Howard, Baron Davis, the modern-day Western Co16d0nference(Suns, Mavs), the BOSTON CELTICS, and most importantly, KOBE! Also, Jordan had a GREAT supporting castLebron has Boobie GibsonWallace and Szczerbiak haven't done a whole lot since the trade, West has performed well, but the Cavs are still essentially shooting-guard-less. In addition, Zydrunas Ilgauskus' days are numbered, and the Cavs are PLAGUED with injuries. LeBron has to do it all himself. He is the pulse of the team. I'm not saying he's the best, but i am saying that you can't really compare MJ and LBJ, because LeBron has harder match-ups and less help.
And apparently you're illiterate. Yeah I spit out stats but only to support my argument. If you knew how to read you would see most of my argument doesn't even include stats. Never mind the fact I was responding to someone who was pointing to Lebron's STATS to say MJ can't do what he did.
Jordan played against a bunch of slow white guys? You ignorance shines even more, fool. Jordan played at a time when the league was at it's tallest, and the defenders make todays players look incompetent. MJ didn't have much help early in his career either yet his teams still put up 50 wins in a much tougher era in the 80s. LBJ does not have harder matchupshow else would have made it to the finals last year? It must be nice playing the Knicks, Bucks, Bobcats, Nets, Pacers, 4 times a year. Are you honestly telling me if James played against the same competition that Jordan played against in the late 80s and early 90s, he'd have the same or better results? In that case you're hopeless. Go find a 5 year old you can argue with.
I love how random morons like yourself like to jump into arguments, oblivious to what's been said, and attempt to sound knowledgeable about it. -
Mr_Helmsley — 17 years ago(March 25, 2009 06:42 PM)
You're saying LeBron's the most overhyped for being hailed as the next MJ and only being as good as Kobe Bryant. I say Reggie Bush is far worse for being given loads of endorsements right out of college like he's the next Barry Sanders, and ending up more like the next Brian Mitchell.
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08feunic — 18 years ago(November 23, 2007 07:48 PM)
How can you say that he is not that good? He has single handedly transformed the Cavs, from a 19 win team, to the NBA championship runner ups. If the Cavs had Kobe, D-Wade, or any other player instead of Lebron, they would not be as good as they are. Likewise, if LBJ was on a team with Shaq, he would be polishing his championship rings right now.
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MJ8069 — 18 years ago(December 03, 2007 03:15 PM)
Read stats you think they just make him sound good. Have you looked up stats and reasons he isn't good cause there aren't any. This season he had 8 straight 30-point games and back to back triple doubles. He probably would have mad more if he didn't get hurt but get facts if you want to say he isn't that good
Here are some stats for you from nba.com
LeBron at 22- 31.7, 8.0 and 8.5
Jordan at 25- 32.5, 8.0, 8.0
Pretty good considering that a younger, less-experienced player is right next to MJ
http://my.nba.com/thread.jspa?threadID=400023385 -
vct33 — 18 years ago(December 12, 2007 02:29 PM)
The most over-hyped athlete in sports? I think that moniker rightfully belongs to this guy.
Uhh, every hear of Reggie Bush or Michael Vick. Those are over-hyped athletes. It's hard to over-hype the greatest player in the world.
"Why in the name of Merlin's saggy left"