Official "Will LeBron James be better than Michael Jordan" Thread (and Wilt...)

[gi0rdun]

Maybe we can keep LeBron discussion here in terms of chasing all-time greatness. I for one am convinced that he is currently playing at a transcendental level. Sure I might be overreacting to a sample of 6 games, but that is just proof that LeBron is at a whole different level at basketball.

I've included a poll, and hopefully we can look back in ten years to see who was wrong or who was right.

I genuinely believe that LeBron can win close to 6 (probably more) championships and I think he will be better all-time than the great Michael Jordan.

[Prince]

When it's all said and done, yes.

[XxIrvingxX]

If he can keep up this kind of play, I truly believe he will surpass Jordan as the greatest to ever play the game. I never expected him to be this good as he's closing in on his prime, a path that I still don't think he has reached yet which is crazy. It's moments like these were I wish he was still in Cleveland kicking ass.

[PauloCatarino]

Yeah, Lebron James has a chance to one-up Michael Jordan.
But cracking the All-time Top-2 players is a whole new ball game (and i don't see him making it!)

[Dee-Zy]

I think that in order for him to be in the conversation of GOAT, he has to win at least one more chip and one more finals MVP than Michael.

A lot of people will turn to 6 in 6 when in comes to finals appearance and will say that Lebron, when it is all said and done, will have at least 2 finals losses.

LJ will also have to have to have at least 5 MVPs. He might be able to get away with 3 or 4 if he have more chips, but a lot of people will always look for certain numbers to discredit LJ.

[Drizzy]

Originally Posted by Dee-Zy

I think that in order for him to be in the conversation of GOAT, he has to win at least one more chip and one more finals MVP than Michael.

A lot of people will turn to 6 in 6 when in comes to finals appearance and will say that Lebron, when it is all said and done, will have at least 2 finals losses.

LJ will also have to have to have at least 5 MVPs. He might be able to get away with 3 or 4 if he have more chips, but a lot of people will always look for certain numbers to discredit LJ.

Can someone explain to me why going six for eight in the finals is worse than six for six? Isn't that like punishing a guy for making it there extra times?

[hobojoe]

That's weird logic to me. LeBron's legacy would be greater if he hadn't made the Finals but had been eliminated earlier in the playoffs? That Cavs team had no business being anywhere near the NBA Finals. I'm not saying LeBron's disappearing act in the 2011 NBA Finals can't be used against him, it should. What I'm saying is simply saying 6 for 6 is better than 6 for 8 or whatever it ends up being because LeBron has Finals losses is illogical. Why do you get points for not making it that far?

[hobojoe]

Originally Posted by Drizzy

Can someone explain to me why going six for eight in the finals is worse than six for six? Isn't that like punishing a guy for making it there extra times?

Beat me to it.

[Drizzy]

I understand the idea of going perfect but it makes it seem like if lebron lost those two years in the ECF it would be more impressive when you put it that way.

[Drizzy]

Originally Posted by hobojoe

That's weird logic to me. LeBron's legacy would be greater if he hadn't made the Finals but had been eliminated earlier in the playoffs? That Cavs team had no business being anywhere near the NBA Finals. I'm not saying LeBron's disappearing act in the 2011 NBA Finals can't be used against, it should. What I'm saying is simply saying 6 for 6 is better than 6 for 8 or whatever it ends up being because LeBron has Finals losses is illogical. Why do you get points for not making it that far?

[hobojoe]

To answer the question, I think LeBron is as good right now as Jordan or anyone else in the history of the game in their respective primes. Will LeBron's final resume match or surpass Jordan's, Magic's, Wilt's and Kareem's when it's all said and done? I don't know, but I don't think anyone has ever played better than LeBron is right now, at least not what I've seen.

I would say the top 3 primes pretty easily in the last 25+ years are late 80s/early 90s Jordan, late 90s/early 00s Shaq and LeBron of the past couple years. Three very different players with different ways of playing the game, but comparable in terms of dominance and greatness IMO.

[Luke]

Losing in the finals is not a black mark, the "perfect" argument is retarded. Having two underwhelming finals appearances, especially one in which you are favored heavily in, is a black mark.

He does have a chance though. He's incredible. I also agree with the. Jordan/Shaq/LeBron tier as far as peaks go.


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[jaw2929]

Absolutely not.

[Mattsanity]

Originally Posted by Drizzy

Can someone explain to me why going six for eight in the finals is worse than six for six? Isn't that like punishing a guy for making it there extra times?

because critics are perfectionists. they make a big deal out of one or more blemishes and ignore the accomplishments.

it all depends how he wins 6 championships regardless of how many finals appearances it takes. if he defends his title consistently like Jordan did, then he's still in the conversation as the greatest. If his team wins them during intermittent periods like the Spurs, then I just can't rate him above Jordan.

[doctordrizzay]

Of course he will. stupid question.