The LeBron James Thread

[AlexBrady]

Re: Where does LeBron rank all-time?

Eh....I'd put Lebron over Barry personally. Otherwise I agree with this listing.

I gave Barry the edge due to his advantage in the shooting department. Running jumpers or set shots were automatic for Barry. If LeBron is the best in the open court then Barry isn't far behind. His underhanded free throw shooting is more reliable than LeBron's stripe shooting. LeBron may be the best point-forward in the league but RB was the first ever point forward.
LeBron is the flashier passer but RB's passes were more reliable.

[jeebs9]

Re: Where does LeBron rank all-time?

Its not crazy considering who said it

oh I didn't see who posted lol... Scott has been on reckless rampage lately lol

[KG]

Re: Where does LeBron rank all-time?

From a physical talent standpoint, there probably hasn't been anyone better than him.

Going off performance/career/attitude/whatever so far? I'd take many, many guys before him.

At this stage in his career Lebron has accomplished more than A LOT of folks.

If/when he gets that ring he moves into Top 10 status easily if he isn't already there.

I gave Barry the edge due to his advantage in the shooting department. Running jumpers or set shots were automatic for Barry. If LeBron is the best in the open court then Barry isn't far behind. His underhanded free throw shooting is more reliable than LeBron's stripe shooting. LeBron may be the best point-forward in the league but RB was the first ever point forward.
LeBron is the flashier passer but RB's passes were more reliable.

The gap between Lebron and Barry in the finishing department is as wide as the Mississippi. He can outrun guards, finish over and through bigs with either hand while absorbing contact. Simply put, people can't catch him in the open court and if they do they aren't going to jump with him.

[phenom1990]

Re: Where does LeBron rank all-time?

Until a guy finishes his career, I try not to rank them. Since I am only 21, for me to rank Lebron against guys that played before I was born. I think I would need an entire body of work to give any fair comparison since I have no idea what I would of thought of Dr.J before the Sixers won the title in 1983 and what I would think after, etc.

[jeebs9]

Re: Where does LeBron rank all-time?

AlexBrady... They are only 2 guys things don't want to see running full speed at you as you back pedal on defense. LeBron James and a Mac Truck or Derrick Rose lol

[Muzyk23]

Re: Where does LeBron rank all-time?

another top something thread, great

[wwharton]

Re: Where does LeBron rank all-time?

As for the thread... it's been a while folks, let it slide (or just move on).

To the OP, your post says "most talented" in which case he has a VERY strong argument for #1 all time, but that's not what the poll says. If we're not just looking at talent then if someone went Nancy Kerrigan on his knee and he was done playing tomorrow, I wouldn't put him in the top 25. He hasn't fully matured as a player... and hasn't matured enough to be considered an all time great. We can project based on what he has done, but if we're talking about today he's a HOFer but not top 30 IMO.

And finally, as for LBJ needing help... I think the feelings on this gets misconstrued bc people have different thoughts while still on the same side of the fence about him leaving. Personally, I think if he won a title in Cleveland he would've been on the fast track to being the best NBA player of all times. However, he could've gotten Wade, Bosh and Howard to come join him in Cleveland and I still would've felt that way. My issue with him leaving was that he was running away from an unprecedented spot in history. Now I also don't think the team around him was as bad as some make it out to be, but I think that's a completely different conversation (I think this is where the confusion comes in sometimes).

So, in a way, I do think his decision will have a negative effect on his place in history but bc it takes his ceiling from #1 to maybe #5... nothing as crazy as stating it without the details may appear. I think guys like me get lumped in with others that think he's completely incapable and needs to be on a team that wins 6 titles to even reach top 10. Personally I think that's a bit of a stretch. And honestly, I think you can see he's learning a lot from playing with someone with the mindset that Wade has, and even though it would've been nice for him to fight through it in Cleveland, this will make him a better player.

[Scott812313]

Re: Where does LeBron rank all-time?

So Lebron is one of those players that has to do it alone just to crack top 5?

I never said he had to do it alone. He's just not going to get as much credit since he left to play with a guy as good or better than himself. Pippen is an all time great, but he wasn't anywhere near Jordan's equal. I love the little shots you take at me too. I guess it's ok for you to do that though since you're a mod?

[Bacon Vortex]

Re: Where does LeBron rank all-time?

Until a guy finishes his career, I try not to rank them. Since I am only 21, for me to rank Lebron against guys that played before I was born. I think I would need an entire body of work to give any fair comparison since I have no idea what I would of thought of Dr.J before the Sixers won the title in 1983 and what I would think after, etc.

Great point. As good as he is, with his physical gifts, I'd say he is a bit disappointing. He should be wayyyy more unstoppable. He just doesn't attack the basket like he could.

[Bacon Vortex]

Re: Where does LeBron rank all-time?

With Jordan a close number two.

Jordan was just better at free throws. Lebron pretty much has Jordan beat every where else. Not to mention that LeBron was taken #1 in the draft. Jordan was drafted #3 after Sam freaking Bowie.

That should tell you enough right there.

The Blazers needed rebounding when they took Sam Bowie. And although Lebron's physical prowess may be ahead of MJ's, Mike's will to win, ability to take over/close out games, get his team involved WITHOUT turning it over, and intimidate the opposition into mush, is so far ahead of Lebron that the Hubble Telescope couldn't see it. There isn't anyone who comes close to dominating like Jordan. Not since Wilt, and they changed the rules because of him.

[IlliniM1ke]

Re: Where does LeBron rank all-time?

From a physical talent standpoint, there probably hasn't been anyone better than him.

Going off performance/career/attitude/whatever so far? I'd take many, many guys before him.

This.

I voted 25+ right now, once his career is all said and done I'm sure that will change considerably.

He didn't help his case in my eyes by taking the easier route to a ring, looking back at Jordan/Magic/Bird for example, those guys competed against the best they didn't all group up to win a ring.

Not to say they didn't have good supporting casts because they did, but their championships mean more to me because they did it where they started their careers, didn't take the easy way out (I know FA has changed a lot since then to, but the jist of my point is I'd respect him a lot more as a player had he just stuck it out with the Cavs).

[Pitfighter87]

Re: Where does LeBron rank all-time?

^^ I know that's pretty crazy ^^ Even though most of those guys up there had a lot of help lol
Why don't people understand you don't win rings by yourself? Jordan messed a lot of people up lol.

I agree with this all the way..You name me one team in the past 20 years thats won a title with just one star and a bunch of role players because thats all LBJ had on that Cleveland team. I dont think anyone wants to debate that just look at the Cavs now.Lebron went about his whole FA process the wrong way with "the decision" but i dont blame him one bit for joinin up with D Wade and Bosh in Miami.

Kobe needed Shag and then needed Gasol.Duncan,Parker and ginobli needed each other,Wade needed Shaq and of course the Boston big three along with detroits bad A$% team.Thats every1 whos won in the past decade and there are multiple hall of famers on each.

When its all said and done i think he'll go down as top 10 for sure and dependin on how many rings top 5

[AiRJorDan23]

Re: Where does LeBron rank all-time?

Jordan
Bill Russell
Wilt
Kareem
Bird
Magic
Shaq
Duncan
Dr.J
Big-O
Hakeem Olajuwon
Kobe

That's my top 12..... so I'll say Lebron is more likely in the top 15 or 25.

Now i would say this I'm not a LBJ h-a-t-e-r but him leaving his team to join another elite superstar team to win titles will hurt him as far as being a competitor, But talent wise he's a great player.

[Scott812313]

Re: Where does LeBron rank all-time?

I agree with this all the way..You name me one team in the past 20 years thats won a title with just one star and a bunch of role players because thats all LBJ had on that Cleveland team. I dont think anyone wants to debate that just look at the Cavs now.Lebron went about his whole FA process the wrong way with "the decision" but i dont blame him one bit for joinin up with D Wade and Bosh in Miami.

Kobe needed Shag and then needed Gasol.Duncan,Parker and ginobli needed each other,Wade needed Shaq and of course the Boston big three along with detroits bad A$% team.Thats every1 whos won in the past decade and there are multiple hall of famers on each.

When its all said and done i think he'll go down as top 10 for sure and dependin on how many rings top 5

Can't agree with ya about those 2. Wade was a 1 man wrecking crew (with some assistance from the zebras) that year against Dallas. Shaq was a shell of himself by then. Hell, I'd say Shaq was better in Phoenix than he was that year in Miami.

That Piston's team was faaaaar from "bad a$$". Not 1 single guy from that team would fit the description of superstar. They had about 6 pretty good players that year, but no great players.

[slimm44]

Re: Where does LeBron rank all-time?

Can't agree with ya about those 2. Wade was a 1 man wrecking crew (with some assistance from the zebras) that year against Dallas. Shaq was a shell of himself by then. Hell, I'd say Shaq was better in Phoenix than he was that year in Miami.

That Piston's team was faaaaar from "bad a$$". Not 1 single guy from that team would fit the description of superstar. They had about 6 pretty good players that year, but no great players.

Not sure I agree with the bolded part. He was definitely on the decline in Miami, but he was a broke-down-on-the-side-of-the-road in PHO.

He's just not going to get as much credit since he left to play with a guy as good or better than himself.

He won't ever be top 5, IMO, because he had to join up with a player as good or better than him

In your opinion, does Kobe get a slight knock because he had the best big in the league (Shaq) and arguably the best big in the league (Gasol) on both championship squads? He hasn't been able to "win one on his own" either.

BTW, most of the champs over the past 30 years have had at least 2 great players.