LBJ to the Lakers

[Tobra]

Kevin Durant is better than Mr James.

It makes me laugh when people say Mr James is the greatest player ever. He is a very gifted athlete, he is also very, very over rated.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Kevin Durant is better than Mr James.

It makes me laugh when people say Mr James is the greatest player ever. He is a very gifted athlete, he is also very, very over rated.

Spot on... both points.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by KC911

You have your opinion....I have mine....and I actually watched those all those series as a long time student of the game....though I sucked as a player....players know . B-ball is a team sport....there are several players better than LBJ because of that very reason...hard to explain...it's an intangible that LBJ simply lacks. D. Wade was absolutely the MAN for LBJ's first ring...I don't know what team you were watching ....same with K. Irving

There are very few who can put a team on their shoulders and carry them all the way through the playoffs to the final round. You're right, it is a team sport, but without LeBron the Cavs probably don't even make the playoffs with the players they had on the court less LeBron. We'll see how good his supporting cast was next season. As for Miami, I was watching a team with three stars that played well together DWade, LBJ and Bosh. How did Miami do when LeBron left again? From what I can find they went 37-45 without him. Like I said, I'm not a fanboy I just appreciate pure talent and incredible skill when I see it. I'll never say he was the best ever but he is without a doubt the best of a generation. The stats and the number of titles along with the number of Finals he has been to in a row speaks to just how good he is.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Kevin Durant is better than Mr James.

It makes me laugh when people say Mr James is the greatest player ever. He is a very gifted athlete, he is also very, very over rated.

If he was he would have won a title with the Thunder. He wasn't lacking for supporting cast. It wasn't until he joined what is as close to a super team in Golden State that he won a championship. He's not the greatest ever as ever hasn't happened. He's the best of a generation without any doubt. Just like Kobe was. Just like MJ was. Just like Magic was...etc.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by cabmando

There are very few who can put a team on their shoulders and carry them all the way through the playoffs to the final round. You're right, it is a team sport, but without LeBron the Cavs probably don't even make the playoffs with the players they had on the court less LeBron. We'll see how good his supporting cast was next season. As for Miami, I was watching a team with three stars that played well together DWade, LBJ and Bosh. How did Miami do when LeBron left again? From what I can find they went 37-45 without him. Like I said, I'm not a fanboy I just appreciate pure talent and incredible skill when I see it. I'll never say he was the best ever but he is without a doubt the best of a generation. The stats and the number of titles along with the number of Finals he has been to in a row speaks to just how good he is.

Miami's first championship was a team effort....DWade was their "go to guy" and was absolutelty their best player that year...then his skills faded as LBJ got better....and he did....he's a great player....just not all that. I'd take a Duncan or Durant over LBJ....stats are just part of it....those guys have the hearts of champions....no quit. Lebron forgot to show up for his last game as a Cav...not the first time in his career either. He simply doesn't have the "mental toughness" when it counts...not like those guys and several other champions I've watched over the years....jmo.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by cabmando

If he was he would have won a title with the Thunder. He wasn't lacking for supporting cast. It wasn't until he joined what is as close to a super team in Golden State that he won a championship. He's not the greatest ever as ever hasn't happened. He's the best of a generation without any doubt. Just like Kobe was. Just like MJ was. Just like Magic was...etc.

Yeah, championships. Jordan was a killer with a strong supporting cast. Durant, not so much in OKC. Good team, not deep, and that cost them when Westbrook or Durant was hurt.

Wilt Chamberlain actually was the GOAT, truly a freak of nature. XXL Lebron James, bigger, faster, stronger and can jump a foot higher. How many championships did he win, two?

Bird was better than Magic too.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Yeah, championships. Jordan was a killer with a strong supporting cast. Durant, not so much in OKC. Good team, not deep, and that cost them when Westbrook or Durant was hurt.

Wilt Chamberlain actually was the GOAT, truly a freak of nature. XXL Lebron James, bigger, faster, stronger and can jump a foot higher. How many championships did he win, two?

Bird was better than Magic too.

No, Bird had a better supporting cast. Interesting you mention Durant not having a deep supporting cast since that's exactly what LeBron fought yet still won a championship in Cleveland.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by cabmando

No, Bird had a better supporting cast. Interesting you mention Durant not having a deep supporting cast since that's exactly what LeBron fought yet still won a championship in Cleveland.

I like these debates....before I go . Bird & Magic...both hearts of champions, on great teams....equally as good imo....both better than LBJ . Bird, McHale, Parrish, and DJ (one of the best...underrated, but not for me). Magic, Kareem, and Worthy (Big Game James)....seven of the best to ever play the game imo....

edited....LBJ's support in Cleveland WAS Kyrie....and Irving was the best player on the court that I saw during the championship series....only games I saw. JMO....players know....Irving "took over" when it counted....jmo again. The game has been changed to help LBJ's style of play...and annointed him

[onewhippedpuppy]

Tobra referred to Jordan as a killer, I think that's very appropriate when comparing Jordan and LBJ. Jordan would crawl through broken glass to win, and I don't see that consistent killer instinct with LBJ. Does anyone believe that LBJ would even try to play with the flu, nevermind scoring 38 points in the playoffs. When the game was on the line, all 9 guys on the court knew that Jordan would be taking the shot, and yet couldn't stop him. LBJ has been that guy at times, for instance in the conference finals this year, but not consistently. LBJ also has the habit of fading into the background at times when the game is on the line. Jordan also didn't need to join up with other superstars to win championships, he had a pretty mediocre supporting cast that he made great. LBJ is a freak athlete and I think clearly the best player in the NBA right now, but I would never rank him as "best ever".

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by KC911

I like these debates....before I go . Bird & Magic...both hearts of champions, on great teams....equally as good imo....both better than LBJ . Bird, McHale, Parrish, and DJ (one of the best...underrated, but not for me). Magic, Kareem, and Worthy (Big Game James)....seven of the best to ever play the game imo....

edited....LBJ's support in Cleveland WAS Kyrie....and Irving was the best player on the court that I saw during the championship series....only games I saw. JMO....players know....Irving "took over" when it counted....jmo again. The game has been changed to help LBJ's style of play...and annointed him

In the 2016 Finals
Game 2 win, Irving 30 pts, 8 assists, 4 rebs. James 32 pts, 6 assists, 11 rebs
Game 5 win: Irving 41, 6,3 James 41,7,16
Game 6 win: Irving 23,3,4 James 41,11,8
Game 7 win: Irving 26,1,6 James 27,11,11

In your opinion I suppose Irving could have been the best player on the court... but in reality he was second to James. James scored more points, had more rebounds and more assists and played more minutes. James was the better player.

BTW, you left out Scott and Cooper. Magic had an incredible team around him. And in case you're wondering, I'm a Lakers fan.

Lakers snagged Rajon Rondo...

[Tobra]

The Showtime Lakers were so loaded it was not even funny.

The officials gave Mr James his last title

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by cabmando

....
In your opinion I suppose Irving could have been the best player on the court... but in reality he was second to James. James scored more points, had more rebounds and more assists and played more minutes. James was the better player.

BTW, you left out Scott and Cooper. Magic had an incredible team around him. And in case you're wondering, I'm a Lakers fan.

Lakers snagged Rajon Rondo...

Those I mentioned earlier are in the "best ever" level....the rest didn't exactly suck....on a few teams of that era . Magic, Bird, MJ....superstars who elevated their teammates games.....and them bastids in Detroit .

I don't watch anything but the finals....haven't for years.....

GS is gonna win a few more....I do know that

Edited: Meh....stats....DJ was often the best player on the court...stats

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by Tobra

The Showtime Lakers were so loaded it was not even funny.

I think Golden State is the closets thing to the Showtime Lakers that there has been. Incredible level of talent on the Warriors.