[Sir Patchwork]

When Jordan retired in 1998, he was almost undisputed as the greatest player ever, and we thought it would be decades before someone challenged his throne, and some thought it would never happen. Ten years later, and LeBron has me convinced that he will pass Jordan. Kobe has long been the poster child for the next great one, but he just doesn't have the same physical gifts that Jordan did. LeBron has it all. He is a physical freak. He is a mental giant. He is a great team player who is unselfish and ruthless all at the same time.

LeBron has a chance to do something truly special this year, which is win an MVP, lead his team to the best record, and lead his team to a title and win a finals MVP, all in the same year. That doesn't happen often. That is complete domination.

The Lakers are the only thing standing in the way of him achieving that because they have an all-time great in Kobe with a stacked team behind him, and the greatest coach of all-time at the helm. Still, you get the feeling he can overcome them. And if not this year, then next year. And the year after, and for years to come. I believe it is inevitable.

Who else has realized this?

[Kuskid]

This kind of creeped into my mind when someone on ESPN was talking about how he's going to be the first player since Scottie Pippen to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks for a season. And he's doing it on a team that's going to win somewhere between 65 and 67 games. Just absurd. He's still a couple rings away from being in the conversation for GOAT, but the way he's been playing (and the Cavs, too), that seems like almost an afterthought at this point.

[Coatesvillain]

I came to this conclusion last year.

I think most people our age and older won't ever believe this because they were around either when Jordan was making his legacy, or when the league was working on growing his myth ever larger. So they got caught in the Jordan cloud to think no other player would ever be better. I think the last of that generation to be gripped by that hold are the kids in HS right now. If Lebron wins a championship this year we could see the middle school kids and up be the ones who start willingly accepting it.

He won't have to win six championships either, because the league will get behind him and push him as the best in a way to sell their product. Get enough people to believe and it'll be so.

[OneBadLT123]

Lets have this discussion after he wins 3 rings. Then we can talk better than Jordan. Because until then, he isn't, and wont be.

[LamarButler]

All the accomplishments will take care of themselves if he completes his game.

He just needs to work on his free throws and get them up to 80%, and become a "scientist on the block". The last part is what will really make him unstoppable. People always talk about him being 6'9, 270 lbs at SF. True or not, that size and strength should make him unstoppable in the post.

[Sir Patchwork]

Originally Posted by OneBadLT123

Lets have this discussion after he wins 3 rings. Then we can talk better than Jordan. Because until then, he isn't, and wont be.

No, let's discuss it now. People discussed Jordan as the best ever before he won a title, so let's be fair. By the time Jordan had won 3 titles, he was already considered the best ever. Everything after was just an exclaimation point. LeBron also hasn't lucked into a Scottie Pippen yet, which clearly figures into the title count.

[Sliccat]

Originally Posted by LamarButler

All the accomplishments will take care of themselves if he completes his game.

He just needs to work on his free throws and get them up to 80%, and become a "scientist on the block". The last part is what will really make him unstoppable. People always talk about him being 6'9, 270 lbs at SF. True or not, that size and strength should make him unstoppable in the post.

Definitely, it's his lack of post game and consistent jumper that keeps him from from Jordan right now. But realistically, he's already a better rebounder, and arguably a better passer. But Jordan was an unbelievable scorer.

Then again, LeBron has always had more of a team attitude than Jordan did early in his career, which accounts for a lot of the scoring disparity. That's what's always been remarkable about LeBron; he never had that "I'm going to outscore your whole team" attitude that Jordan, or even Kobe had.

[Tragedy]

Originally Posted by Sir Patchwork

No, let's discuss it now. People discussed Jordan as the best ever before he won a title, so let's be fair. By the time Jordan had won 3 titles, he was already considered the best ever. Everything after was just an exclaimation point. LeBron also hasn't lucked into a Scottie Pippen yet, which clearly figures into the title count.

A lot of people forget this about Jordan.

As for someone like Kobe, he could never have surpassed Jordan, nor will he ever because his career overlaps with Jordan.

With Lebron, I thought this a while ago, but with every season that passes it becomes more of a reality.

Also, he won't have to win 6 titles to pass MJ. If he continues to rack up accolades, the "first to," the MVPs, first teams and possibly defensive teams and a potential DPOY he should definitely vault himself into the conversation and even pass him.

[Tragedy]

Originally Posted by Sliccat

Definitely, it's his lack of post game and consistent jumper that keeps him from from Jordan right now. But realistically, he's already a better rebounder, and arguably a better passer. But Jordan was an unbelievable scorer.

Then again, LeBron has always had more of a team attitude than Jordan did early in his career, which accounts for a lot of the scoring disparity. That's what's always been remarkable about LeBron; he never had that "I'm going to outscore your whole team" attitude that Jordan, or even Kobe had.

He may not have that mentality, but at the pace he's going he'll most certainly pass Jordan in points all time.

[SamTheMan67]

The crazy thing is he has been shooting 40% from 3 since the allstar break.. If he could sustain his 3pt shooting at 40% what the **** are you supposed to do to guard him? (Obv he won't sustain 40, but 35-38.. with his driving ability..)

[croco]

Originally Posted by LamarButler

All the accomplishments will take care of themselves if he completes his game.

He just needs to work on his free throws and get them up to 80%, and become a "scientist on the block". The last part is what will really make him unstoppable. People always talk about him being 6'9, 270 lbs at SF. True or not, that size and strength should make him unstoppable in the post.

He is unstoppable.

[Diable]

He's accomplished a lot so far,but you have to remember that Jordan's prime encompassed his entire career with the Bulls.He did his thing for a very long time.Lebron has the pace right now,but he's got miles to go before he's home.

[PauloCatarino]

Originally Posted by Sir Patchwork

No, let's discuss it now. People discussed Jordan as the best ever before he won a title, so let's be fair. By the time Jordan had won 3 titles, he was already considered the best ever. Everything after was just an exclaimation point. LeBron also hasn't lucked into a Scottie Pippen yet, which clearly figures into the title count.

Sorry, dude, but that didn't happen. Not when he was getting swept by he Celtics in the playoffs or not being able to pass the Pistons. No. Don't even think about it.

Jordan started getting serious GOAT talk after he showed consistency. Consistency in getting great numbers, being a great two-way player and,most of all, winning.

Untill Lebron shows that kind of consistency, he will not be worthy of GOAT talk.
And yes, to win you need a good team, nad there's so much a great superstar can do by himself... But that's the way it goes.

[OneBadLT123]

Originally Posted by Sir Patchwork

No, let's discuss it now. People discussed Jordan as the best ever before he won a title, so let's be fair. By the time Jordan had won 3 titles, he was already considered the best ever. Everything after was just an exclamation point. LeBron also hasn't lucked into a Scottie Pippen yet, which clearly figures into the title count.

Yeah people discussed him being the best, but he wasnt the best until he did win those titles. And even then, he was questioned weather he could lead a team. Being swept by the Celtics, couldn't get past the Pistons, barely beating the Cavs. He wasn't considered the best ever.

To say now that Lebron will be is a pretty bold, yet premature statement. Because no matter how much people discussed Jordan being the best then, he wasnt. He wasnt better than Jabbar, Wilt, Russel or Magic.

You can discuss all you want, but to say that he will be, nah. Not until its all said and done. Sorry.

[kflo]

certainly after jordan won his 1st title he took away alot of the ammunition his detractors had from him. he certainly had his fans for goat at that point. by the time he won 3, he might have been consensus already.

he certainly had played at a level few had ever seen before he won a title, and did so for 6 years.

lebron will not necessarily need 6 titles, 6 finals mvp's, 5 mvp's and 10 scoring titles to pass jordan, because jordan didn't need all of that to become the consensus goat himself. but it will be difficult to win over the masses because of how jordan's overall resume compliments his actual level of play.