WHY are people comparing Lebron to MJ??

[glucklich]

Re: WHY are people comparing Lebron to MJ??

If you're saying that MJ was only a scorer...then you're telling me that you have abosolutely no clue about what you were talking about.

I dont think hes saying thats all he could do. I think he is making this point in contrasting the relative strengths of LeBron and Michael...and that because of that Michael would tend to finish plays by scoring whereas LeBrons best option is dishing it off in some cases. I think this is a continuation of discussing the statlines where Jordan scored more but had fewer assists.

[NovaStar]

Re: WHY are people comparing Lebron to MJ??

I dont think hes saying thats all he could do. I think he is making this point in contrasting the relative strengths of LeBron and Michael...and that because of that Michael would tend to finish plays by scoring whereas LeBrons best option is dishing it off in some cases. I think this is a continuation of discussing the statlines where Jordan scored more but had fewer assists.

Thank You Gluckich. I couldn't have responded better. If you add the fact the MJ is one of the best defenders of all time, then the comparisons really lose steam.

[NovaStar]

Re: WHY are people comparing Lebron to MJ??

If you're saying that MJ was only a scorer...then you're telling me that you have abosolutely no clue about what you were talking about.

As far as Pippin running his mouth...well of course. He hated MJ. He hated being in his shadow the majority of his career. But MJ made him a better player. But he was always Robin, and he hated it. The fact that somebody is even paying Scottie to comment on baseketball shows me how much credbility ESPN even has. The guys an idiot, always has been. Fine player, but a real idiot.

To even make this comparison is just stupid right now anyway. Everybody always wants the next thing. Stats are important, but only one part of the discussion. 10 years from now, we can evaluate better. MJ was probably even better than a lot of you realize anyway. If you followed him every game, every year, you'd have really understood that. He was known firsly as a slasher/dunker. But believe me, if you team needed10 assists, he'd get 'em. 5 Steals? He'd get 'em, 10 boards? He'd get 'em. He covered his team mates from night to night whatever was needed. He could stop your best 1, 2, 3 and occaisonal 4 even. The bigger the stakes, the more he stepped it up. And he did it over, and over, and over, and over.

LBJ is obvisously a great player already...in any era. IF he continues to improve, stay injury free, win some rings, he'll be an NBA legend. But believe me, he's not even close to reaching the peak of Mt. Jordan. Good for him he's got a lot of time.

Jistic, we are in total agreement on this issue. LJ has a ways to go before he should be considered in MJ's company. I think people had better focus on Kobe these next couple of years. Because I am confident that the Lakers will build that franchise shortly and Kobe will be the barrier for the next young superstars in obtaining rings. Kobe and LJ in a championship would be great because Kobe has the killer spirit, he won't be friendly he would be out to kill. I am of the opinion that Kobe is the current king of the court, LJ, Dwayne wade and others are going to have to go through the lakers if they want to acquire rings in the future (Wade may contend for one before then, based on the current playoffs) if they in fact build the team. Should be interesting.

[Cebby]

Re: WHY are people comparing Lebron to MJ??

But MJ never missed the playoffs, created a marketing machine in Nike and took the NBA by storm. LJ is a beneficiary of what MJ was.

MJ never missed the playoffs because nobody missed the playoffs. The Bulls weren't good Jordan's first few years, but in the East, only 3 teams didn't make the playoffs. He didn't even finish over .500 until 1988. If the playoffs were the same way, the Cavs would have easily made it every year Lebron has been there.

[NovaStar]

Re: WHY are people comparing Lebron to MJ??

Whatever the system, the fact remains that he never missed them. Taking, the current system, currently, Dwayne Wade and Carmelo Anthony have never missed them, Lebron has. I was merely stating some facts of Jordan in his earlier career.

[neovsmatrix]

Re: WHY are people comparing Lebron to MJ??

If you're saying that MJ was only a scorer...then you're telling me that you have abosolutely no clue about what you were talking about.

As far as Pippin running his mouth...well of course. He hated MJ. He hated being in his shadow the majority of his career. But MJ made him a better player. But he was always Robin, and he hated it. The fact that somebody is even paying Scottie to comment on baseketball shows me how much credbility ESPN even has. The guys an idiot, always has been. Fine player, but a real idiot.

To even make this comparison is just stupid right now anyway. Everybody always wants the next thing. Stats are important, but only one part of the discussion. 10 years from now, we can evaluate better. MJ was probably even better than a lot of you realize anyway. If you followed him every game, every year, you'd have really understood that. He was known firsly as a slasher/dunker. But believe me, if you team needed10 assists, he'd get 'em. 5 Steals? He'd get 'em, 10 boards? He'd get 'em. He covered his team mates from night to night whatever was needed. He could stop your best 1, 2, 3 and occaisonal 4 even. The bigger the stakes, the more he stepped it up. And he did it over, and over, and over, and over.

LBJ is obvisously a great player already...in any era. IF he continues to improve, stay injury free, win some rings, he'll be an NBA legend. But believe me, he's not even close to reaching the peak of Mt. Jordan. Good for him he's got a lot of time.

How did Pippen hate Jordan? It was Pippen who said if Kobe could score 81, Jordan would have scored 100 in this era. That doesn't sound like hate to me, it sounds like he had a lot of respect for Jordan.

I really don't think it's all that relevant really. Lebron has a lot of work to do to get to Jordan's level, but in his first 3 years, he has already had a significant impact on the Cavs, and he helped to turn that franchise around.


I think that that in some aspects of the game Lebron is already thinking like an old pro such as getting the rest of the team involved and trusting teammates no matter what. Jordan didn't have that in his first three years, maybe that's the point Pippen really wanted to make. It's not about the assists, it's about when the assists are made, trusting your teammates when it counts most. Jordan didn't do that for hist few years in the NBA, James has.

However, that doesn't mean Jordan in his first 3 years was necessarily inferior to James as Jordan had other qualities that James seems to lack. The fierce competitiveness, the mental aspect of the game, the dominating will. Lebron's developing this, but he's not there yet, and he has a long way to go to get to Jordan's level.

[fsquid]

Re: WHY are people comparing Lebron to MJ??

Patrick Ewing is the greatest of all time. I don't even know why this thread exists.

[glucklich]

Re: WHY are people comparing Lebron to MJ??

I think that that in some aspects of the game Lebron is already thinking like an old pro such as getting the rest of the team involved and trusting teammates no matter what. Jordan didn't have that in his first three years, maybe that's the point Pippen really wanted to make. It's not about the assists, it's about when the assists are made, trusting your teammates when it counts most. Jordan didn't do that for hist few years in the NBA, James has.

Like Jistic said, you would have really had to have followed Jordans career from the beginning to comment on this.

However, that doesn't mean Jordan in his first 3 years was necessarily inferior to James as Jordan had other qualities that James seems to lack. The fierce competitiveness, the mental aspect of the game, the dominating will. Lebron's developing this, but he's not there yet, and he has a long way to go to get to Jordan's level.

Even if you were saying LeBron was better in the first three years it wouldnt matter because the people who actually followed the Bulls from 1984 on know better. In any case, you make it sound like its all intangibles that made Joran better. This is not true. Jordan was a lot quicker and even more explosive at going to the basket. When there was traffic in the lane, Jordan could maneuver/explode/undulate to the basket and still finish. Jordan also had better body control (which falls under maneuver and undulate I guess) and he could also run a mile in under 5 minutes.

[Jistic]

Re: WHY are people comparing Lebron to MJ??

How did Pippen hate Jordan?

Pippen is EXTREMELY immature and lacks confidence. He was easily preyed upon by teams like the Pistons when he was younger. Jordan beat the crap outta Pippen in practice when he was younger, but was his big brother when the actual games happened. As Pippen got better he started to loathe the fact that Jordan got ALL the credit. Horace Grant was the same way. Then when MJ left the Bulls brought in Toni Kukoc and Pippen seethed (remember the famous 1.8 seconds left game?)

Think these two are friends now or even talk? Pippen was always tired of not feeling like he was 'The Man'. on the team. Now he can take little shots at MJ while sitting behind the desk as an analyst.

[Shaver]

Re: WHY are people comparing Lebron to MJ??

Pippen = Most Overrated Player in NBA History

[23]

Re: WHY are people comparing Lebron to MJ??

LOL man, where are you getting this info?

Pip and MJ hung out beyond the court. They worked out together, they did things in private together, even things MJ wouldnt let younger teammates hang out with him and do because he said "they might want to brag".

Remember the breakfast club? MJ and Pip, and later Ron Harper joined.

Pip was upset about Kukoc coming because Krispy Kreme Krause decided to give Kukoc a contract before he extended Pip even though he helped them win a championship.

Im not sure why you are conjuring up this stuff, but you are so far off base its not even funny.

[Jistic]

Re: WHY are people comparing Lebron to MJ??

LOL man, where are you getting this info?

Pip and MJ hung out beyond the court. They worked out together, they did things in private together, even things MJ wouldnt let younger teammates hang out with him and do because he said "they might want to brag".

Remember the breakfast club? MJ and Pip, and later Ron Harper joined.

Pip was upset about Kukoc coming because Krispy Kreme Krause decided to give Kukoc a contract before he extended Pip even though he helped them win a championship.

Im not sure why you are conjuring up this stuff, but you are so far off base its not even funny.

Pippen signed a long term deal like an idiot that the team told him NOT to sign. But we wanted the security of the long term deal. They told him the contract would be out of date quickly, but he still wanted to sign it. So when they made him honor it and wouldn't renegotiate it he was pissed. But he made his own bed with that deal. That wasn't management's fault.

Pippen was upset in the 1.8 game because Phil called the play for the final shot to go to Toni and Pippen said that he wouldn't even go in on the play because he wouldn't be a decoy. Cartwright about killed him. So they just sat him out...and Toni hit the shot.

Far off base? I don't think you quite understand what you're saying. In the last few years no doubt MJ and Pippen mellowed. But if you know anything about this team from 87-93 or the first Jordan & Pippen era, you'll know that everything I've said about this team, and their relationship is true. I think when Scottie retired, his first words out his mouth during his press conference were very telling, ""As I stand here and as I look back, I don't think Michael (Jordan) had any championship trophies without me,".

[Gilateen]

Re: WHY are people comparing Lebron to MJ??

Jistic is on track with the Bulls comments, you had to be a BULLS fan to understand.

BUT

Pippen being overrated is crazy, MJ couldnt win all them rings on his own, NOT EVEN ONE!!!

People dont like Pippen cuz if it wasnt MJ bustin their teams ***, IT WAS SCOTTIE.

[Raymond]

Re: WHY are people comparing Lebron to MJ??

And just for the hell of it, he was 2nd in the MVP voting and 3rd in scoring....just sayin

Im sorry i forgot that an all-star mvp can the greatest accomplishment a basketball player can receive. "What is it called when you almost win? thats right losing. Lebron is a very great player yes, but he plays in the worse era of basketball. An era when steve nash wins back to back mvps and the second year being a landslide. Stockton never an mvp, mark price never won an mvp, gary payton never won an mvp yet these players are all way better than nash think about that. Lebron jumper is average at best and yes his drive game is pretty but is it better than iverson's, wade's, etc.

[Raymond]

Re: WHY are people comparing Lebron to MJ??

If you think that handchecking is in ANY WAY as effective as 3-tier defensive attention then you are flat-out wrong, my friend...

Did you watch the Cavs game today? I doubt MJ could get the same drive looks he got back then, before his J developed if defenses could sag ALL 5 FREAKING DEFENDERS like they did today. Did you see how the Pistons had the floor spaced? No isolation, no pulling defenders to the weak side...you just can't do it now. All 5 guys were in position to close off any seams. Nowadays, when you only have one guy to worry about, you are either going to suffocate him, or cause him to jack up 30 tough jumpers ala Kobe, and 22 year old MJ didn't have Kobe's jumper. Defenses were in no way shape or form NEARLY as physical in the mid-80's.

The Bad Boys, Jordan rules and overall bruising defenses were developed in the late 80's.

This post is a joke correct?? So what you are saying is that Jordan did not receive triple teams and double teams? and was just hand checking?? Lets be for real. I can easily bring up great defenders in the mid 80's. And when jordan did play against chuck daly in the boys he was shooting nearly 50% whether it be shooting or driving. you thought lebron was being shut down today but him against that great pistons team and see what happens. you can't compare the pistons back then the pistons now. just because they have the same name? The pistons back then would destroy the pistons today. if you think ben wallace is a great defender rebounder(lol) check out a young rodman.