50 replies to this topic

[Tony Hops]

LeBron James will never catch Bryant, Jordan, Bird, Magic or all the other greats.

Because: They never left their team. They PLAMTED their seed and took their team to glory.

James left to another team. Therefore he and Shaq belong in the same class.

[Pusha Key]

No, he should imo not be hampered by that. He led a bad team except for him to the Finals and made them consistent contenders every year. Players like Magic, Bird, Kobe and Jordan always had another star when they were successful, so its not fair to LeBron that he didnt have that until he went to the Heat.

Its not really an argument for LeBron being better than any of the GOATs, but it is an argument that his decision should not penalize his amazing career.

[Carolina Panthers]

Not really. If he wins more titles I'll consider him among the greatest of all time and seriously contemplate whether he is THE greatest of all time.

But I'll always attach a personal asterisk to his legacy for how he joined forces with Wade and Bosh & how he went about doing so. When LeBron finally won the title it didn't really phase me, my reaction was pretty blank. I felt he should've won it the year before that.

[Clutch™]

No. Well he will never be greater than Jordan, Kareem, Bill Russell, Magic, Wilt, Or Bird, but everybody else he can be better than. Those players he will not touch. Big he will definitely be considered greater than Kobe when it's all said and done.

[Pusha Key]

No. Well he will never be greater than Jordan, Kareem, Bill Russell, Magic, Wilt, Or Bird, but everybody else he can be better than. Those players he will not touch. Big he will definitely be considered greater than Kobe when it's all said and done.

Why not? Seriously why not. Jordan didnt win a single ring until he was 28.
LeBron won one at 28. Why cant he do what Jordan did?

[Kobes 5th Ring]

No. Well he will never be greater than Jordan, Kareem, Bill Russell, Magic, Wilt, Or Bird, but everybody else he can be better than. Those players he will not touch. Big he will definitely be considered greater than Kobe when it's all said and done.

I think he could pass Larry and Russell, there's a chance he could be up there with Kareem and Jordan too

[Saint Nick C]

LeBron James will never catch Bryant, Jordan, Bird, Magic or all the other greats.

Because: They never left their team. They PLAMTED their seed and took their team to glory.

James left to another team. Therefore he and Shaq belong in the same class.

None of those reasons are why he isn't among the greats.

End results trump pretty numbers.

LeBron got killed by the Spurs his first trip. Bruce Bowen housed him in the Finals. He choked in the Finals versus Dallas... not one game... but arguably 5 of the 6.

He finally won while getting lit up by Durant and a Thunder team that was inexperienced at the biggest stage. Harden and Ibaka both got tight nuts and Coach Brooks really showed his flaws as a coach.

I respect LeBron, but you can't place him anywhere (respectively of course in the top 10) until his career is done with. Seriously... he won a title. One. He has plenty left to turn peoples opinion of his legacy.

He's a fantastic player, but so many people disregard the players ahead of him... that's just insulting to the game.

[Clutch™]

I think he could pass Larry and Russell, there's a chance he could be up there with Kareem and Jordan too

Ok, MAYBE Larry Bird, but I highly doubt it. Larry was a better rebounder, passer, defender, shooter, and more clutch than Lebron. Lebron is more athletic, and a better finisher at the rack, but he's nog better by MUCH at anything except athleticism. Lets not forget Larry did average close to 30/10 before. For his career he averaged 24/10/6/50% FG/ 88% FT/37% 3 pointers. If Lebron gets 3 rings, 3 MVP's and 2 finals MVP's, and averages those historical stats for his career, then we can talk.

[Rondo is G.O.A.T]

I think he could pass Larry and Russell, there's a chance he could be up there with Kareem and Jordan too

lol.. Bird and Russell?

Hell no

[Kobes 5th Ring]

Ok, MAYBE Larry Bird, but I highly doubt it. Larry was a better rebounder, passer, defender, shooter, and more clutch than Lebron. Lebron is more athletic, and a better finisher at the rack, but he's nog better by MUCH at anything except athleticism. Lets not forget Larry did average 30/10 before

Yea I know I geuss I shoulda said maybe pass him, I agree with you some people try to make it seem LBJ can pass him with another ring or something.

lol.. Bird and Russell?

Hell no

How is that impossible? The dude is a great player.

[Clutch™]

Yea I know I geuss I shoulda said maybe pass him, I agree with you some people try to make it seem LBJ can pass him with another ring or something.

How is that impossible? The dude is a great player.

read what I added to my post.

[Mirrors]

Um, no?

lol.. Bird and Russell?

Hell no

How can't he surpass Bird? They both have 2 MVPs. Bird just has 2 more titles and on one he isn't FMVP. LeBron has a lot of time.

[Clutch™]

And anyone think he can pass Russell?

[Kobes 5th Ring]

read what I added to my post.

Ok I said he COULD. I'm not one of those people living in the moment thinking he's top 10 or anything because IMO he's not even that clost to Shaq yet.

[Clutch™]

Um, no?

How can't he surpass Bird? They both have 2 MVPs. Bird just has 2 more titles and on one he isn't FMVP. LeBron has a lot of time.

bird had 3 MVP's. so does Lebron.

[The Logo]

I agree that he most likely won't surpass Bird, Magic, Kareem, Jordan, or Russell, but I don't find it that he won't be able to do it just because he swapped a team and betrayed the city of Cleveland throughout the process. I do think he'll surpass Kobe and Duncan for sure.

[Clutch™]

Don't even say he could pass Russell.

[probskN]

I don't. I envision LeBron going down as one of the greatest players of all-time, I wouldn't be surprised if he is the best player of all-time at the end of his career. I mean, he does have a little more versatility than Jordan. Anyways, I don't think him switching teams should hamper James one bit. It's a choice that the player has to make. Back then when Jordan, Bird, and Magic played, loyalty meant a lot. Nowadays, with all the money that's being tossed at players and so many trades that happen, it's hard to stay loyal to the team that drafted you. Was LeBron's The Decision thing something that he shouldn't have done? Sure, but the guy may very well go down as the greatest player in the history of the game and can only really take care of the haters by winning more and more championships and more often. More MVP awards help too.

How can't he surpass Bird? They both have 2 MVPs. Bird just has 2 more titles and on one he isn't FMVP. LeBron has a lot of time.

Both have three MVPs.

[Mirrors]

Ok, MAYBE Larry Bird, but I highly doubt it. Larry was a better rebounder, passer, defender, shooter, and more clutch than Lebron. Lebron is more athletic, and a better finisher at the rack, but he's nog better by MUCH at anything except athleticism. Lets not forget Larry did average close to 30/10 before. For his career he averaged 24/10/6/50% FG/ 88% FT/37% 3 pointers. If Lebron gets 3 rings, 3 MVP's and 2 finals MVP's, and averages those historical stats for his career, then we can talk.

In thid day and age with more athletic and stronger big men and forwards, Bird wouldn't be the rebounder he was back in the 80s. Imo a case can be made against Bird for rebounding, passing, and defense. We all know Bird was a better shooter and that what most players have on LeBron when compared, but it doesn't change much. Saying LeBron isn't better at anything except athleticism is plain wrong. Just imagine if LeBron played in the 80s with Bird, something like 35/13/9... you've gotta take era into consideration before you talk straight stats.

bird had 3 MVP's. so does Lebron.

Typo.

Both have three MVPs.

Typo.

Imo the only people LeBron has absolutely no chance of passing are MJ and Magic.

[probskN]

Imo the only people LeBron has absolutely no chance of passing are MJ and Magic.

So he can pass Kareem and will finish ahead of Kobe? I somewhat agree with you, and I do think he can be the greatest of all-time, but I still think he'll only finish in the top five.