Is it possible we are watching the best to ever do it in Lebron James ?

[Da Grinch]

Originally Posted by e-monk

of Lebron's post defense - when he has guarded bigs he has had to front (he did to quite good effect against Pau) which is basically an admission that he's screwed once the pass gets into the post

scottie did the same thing and it wasn't any kind of admission , but an effort to make a team work to make entry pass and possibly get a steal.

[Da Grinch]

Originally Posted by yodurk

Can you show me video this happened? Miami's team defense did this, not Lebron. Lebron did his job which was to force Rose into the help defense effectively. And as someone said, this was not a full game of chasing Rose around. He could sit on Luol Deng for 3.5 quarters which frankly is a lot less work.

Great analysis of this myth is on-line if you google "Bulls Heat 4th quarter project".

As for Lebron...the OP is overstating a few things as others already pointed out, and he has a ways to go to catch Kobe Bryant on the greatness scale, let alone MJ.

I've stated before, the guy is the greatest natural talent I've ever seen, but he just isn't in MJ and Kobe's tier in terms of consistent competitive drive and work ethic. I can confidently say nobody can match MJ in that department. The guy was just otherworldly.

outside of pippen guarding mark jackson and magic in the playoffs i cant think of 1 instance a player went 2 positions over and was expected to lock down a guy.

i certainly dont remember jordan doing that to any 4's

there is this.

"I've always thought Michael Jordan was the best player that I've ever seen,” Boeheim said. “I always have and I didn't think it was close. I'm not so sure any more. And I love Michael Jordan. I'm not so sure anymore. This guy is 6-foot-9 and 260 pounds, and he's getting better. He works on his game. His shooting is getting better. He's a phenomenal, phenomenal basketball player. I love this game; I love the history of this game. I know we've had great, great players through the years. He's like Magic Johnson with Michael Jordan-type skills as well."

Boeheim said James is a different player now compared to when he joined Team USA in 2005.

"Ten times better player,” Boeheim said. “Some of it is maturity. He's a leader; he was a kid when we first got him. ... He's a 6-9, 260-pound point guard-forward-center. He guarded the post guys. They always say a guy can guard five positions, I've never seen that. I've heard about it. This guy can guard five guys. He can guard your center, he can guard your small forward, big forward, point guard, two guard. You put him on anybody and he can guard them."

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap...#ixzz23c7fTLXD

Boeheim has coach both guys and isn't so sure , so how can you be?

[Dre]

But LeBron had to do that to make up for shrinking unlike Jordan ever did. I aint forget that shit

[Mr. Hobbes]

Originally Posted by Dre

But LeBron had to do that to make up for shrinking unlike Jordan ever did. I aint forget that shit

The history books won't remember how he acted.

[Dre]

If we were just going straight Numbers and no type of independent context Wilt would automatically win so no

[XxIrvingxX]

Originally Posted by Chan

Is it possible? Of course he's 25. Him vs MJ? Need more rings.

You might want to go and do some research on the guy...

[XxIrvingxX]

Originally Posted by PauloCatarino

Wrong. And laughable.

How is it both wrong and laughable?

[e-monk]

Originally Posted by Da Grinch

scottie did the same thing and it wasn't any kind of admission , but an effort to make a team work to make entry pass and possibly get a steal.

no, sorry - it's a gamble because a proper pass = a dunk - and that gamble is made because if he tries to stop the big straight up they'll shoot over him with relative ease - and Scottie couldnt guard bigs consistently either as with Lebron he could take on a guy for a couple of plays here and there - it wasnt bread and butter

[e-monk]

Originally Posted by Dre

If we were just going straight Numbers and no type of independent context Wilt would automatically win so no

he's like Wilt, prodigiously gifted physically, great skill sets and all around game but years from now if he doesnt rack up more rings people will be full of but but but

[Wilt_The_Stilt]

Originally Posted by e-monk

he's like Wilt, prodigiously gifted physically, great skill sets and all around game but years from now if he doesnt rack up more rings people will be full of but but but

I agree. The rings are what he will be judged on right or wrong.

[E.H. Munro]

Originally Posted by e-monk

no, sorry - it's a gamble because a proper pass = a dunk - and that gamble is made because if he tries to stop the big straight up they'll shoot over him with relative ease - and Scottie couldnt guard bigs consistently either as with Lebron he could take on a guy for a couple of plays here and there - it wasnt bread and butter

I don't think Pippen ever really defended 5s, and I'll agree that on occasions when Pippen guarded PFs he did it much like those rare occasions that Miami uses James at the 5. However most PFs don't have a significant size advantage over him and he does defend that spot fairly well. In NBA terms James is pretty damned good at defending four spots on the floor, and has been for years.

[e-monk]

Originally Posted by E.H. Munro

I don't think Pippen ever really defended 5s, and I'll agree that on occasions when Pippen guarded PFs he did it much like those rare occasions that Miami uses James at the 5. However most PFs don't have a significant size advantage over him and he does defend that spot fairly well. In NBA terms James is pretty damned good at defending four spots on the floor, and has been for years.

let's put it this way - in todays game the level of post play makes it easier to get away with since there are so few guys who could really take advantage of the match-up - Pau is one such which is why Lebron chose to front him in the handful of plays I saw him taking that responsibility

[Bogg]

Originally Posted by E.H. Munro

I don't think Pippen ever really defended 5s, and I'll agree that on occasions when Pippen guarded PFs he did it much like those rare occasions that Miami uses James at the 5. However most PFs don't have a significant size advantage over him and he does defend that spot fairly well. In NBA terms James is pretty damned good at defending four spots on the floor, and has been for years.

Power Forwards with a legitimate post game give James trouble, he said as much against the Pacers when he was asked to guard David West. Point guards he can defend, and stretch fours as well. Centers that don't have offensive games don't count. He defends three and a half positions at a very high level, and can give spot minutes against guys otherwise, but you'd never expect him to shut down one of the Gasols.

[Dre]

I think all we're saying is in a pinch he could force a bad shot. Anything past that he's not used to anticipating and diagnosing a talented big man on the block

[Luke]

Originally Posted by R-Star

I'll say again, this is another example that you asked me for Luke.

Because I said that he won't touch Magic or Jordan? You know Jordan wasn't a Laker, right?