The LeBron James Thread

[soxnut1018]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

I don't see how anything LeBron does is underrated.

He was routinely beat these playoffs defending one on one. I believe you're confusing what he does weak side or off the ball, with how he is in isolation situations.

If you're judging him by 80's and 90's standards, then yes he's an average on the ball defender. But considering he's not allowed almost any contact, he's unbelievable. Sure he gets beat on occasion, as every other player in the league does, but he's able to shut down the opposition's best player with regularity. One of the keys to the Heat's historically great season was that they could put LeBron on the other team's star at the end of games. He's as close to a shut down defender as the NBA has.

[BleacherBum2310]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

My List probably be

1. Jordan
2. Kareem
3. Wilt
4. Russell
5. Bird
6. Magic
7. Duncan
8. Shaq
9. Hakeem
10. Lebron


could probably switch Lebron and Hakeem, but I have a soft spot for Hakeem. So that's what my list would be as of right now.

Just because he's on that path doesn't mean he's better than those HOF players right now. At least IMO.

[soxnut1018]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Lebron already surpassed magic Duncan and shaq? That's just silly to say the least

This is where the debate becomes somewhat semantic. If you are judging based off career accomplishments, then no he hasn't. However, if the debate is who's a better player, LeBron now or them in their prime, then he has. Again, it's all how you phrase the debate. I don't think their are 5 players who played at a higher level than LeBron is right now. But are there 5+ players who had more career accomplishments? Definitely.

[JODYE]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

If you're judging him by 80's and 90's standards, then yes he's an average on the ball defender. But considering he's not allowed almost any contact, he's unbelievable. Sure he gets beat on occasion, as every other player in the league does, but he's able to shut down the opposition's best player with regularity. One of the keys to the Heat's historically great season was that they could put LeBron on the other team's star at the end of games. He's as close to a shut down defender as the NBA has.

Judging by 80s and 90s standards? Wut??

I'm judging him as a basketball player and if anything LeBron is afforded more contact in every area of the game than anyone in the league.

Closest thing to a shut down defender lolol okay. He's not even the best "shut down" defender on his own team.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

This is where the debate becomes somewhat semantic. If you are judging based off career accomplishments, then no he hasn't. However, if the debate is who's a better player, LeBron now or them in their prime, then he has. Again, it's all how you phrase the debate. I don't think their are 5 players who played at a higher level than LeBron is right now. But are there 5+ players who had more career accomplishments? Definitely.

In their primes Duncan shaq and magic were all at least as good as Lebron. That's without factoring in accomplishments. So again it's beyond silly to put Lebron ahead of those guys.

[soxnut1018]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Judging by 80s and 90s standards? Wut??

I'm judging him as a basketball player and if anything LeBron is afforded more contact in every area of the game than anyone of the league.

Closest thing to a shut down defender lolol okay. He's not even the best defender on his own team.

What I meant by that was judging him by an era where hand checking was allowed. Where guys like Pippen could physically dominate a player defensively. It's hard to debate defense, since there are no good statistics out there that really can prove one right or wrong. If you think he's an average defender, go right on ahead. I'm willing to admit I'm biased after seeing him completely shut down my Bulls, and more specifically Derrick Rose in 2011.

[soxnut1018]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

In their primes Duncan shaq and magic were all at least as good as Lebron. That's without factoring in accomplishments. So again it's beyond silly to put Lebron ahead of those guys.

None of them were 27, 7, and 8 good on 56.5% shooting good.

[Gibbz]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

1. Jordan
2. Kareem
3. Wilt
4. Russell
5. Lebron
6. Magic
7. Bird
8. Shaq
9. Duncan
10. West

Lebron already ahead of Magic, Shaq and Duncan...

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

None of them were 27, 7, and 8 good on 56.5% shooting good.

And that proves what

[JODYE]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

And that proves what

Nothing, especially the way the game is called now lends itself to more efficiency for players that can routinely get in the paint.

FWIW, Shaq averaged 24, 10 and 3 on 58% shooting over a near 20 year career. He's no good though.

[The 24th Letter]

When people say LeBron is a great defender, it doesn't mean he holds his man scoreless every game, This is impossible, and no defender does this...this is the NBA....lol

[JODYE]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

What I meant by that was judging him by an era where hand checking was allowed. Where guys like Pippen could physically dominate a player defensively. It's hard to debate defense, since there are no good statistics out there that really can prove one right or wrong. If you think he's an average defender, go right on ahead. I'm willing to admit I'm biased after seeing him completely shut down my Bulls, and more specifically Derrick Rose in 2011.

I know that series well. I know that Miami after Game 1 routinely flashed out on pick and rolls and Thibs continued to try and force the issue with it, which put Derrick in a lot of bad situations.

I know you have the two end of game possessions in your mind, but Derrick's downfall was inexperience and because of a total team effort by Miami and key pieces for us not showing up when it mattered.

[J_Posse]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

In their primes Duncan shaq and magic were all at least as good as Lebron. That's without factoring in accomplishments. So again it's beyond silly to put Lebron ahead of those guys.

Exactly, Duncan, O'Neal and Johnson all had amazing peaks that rival LeBron's current play. We'll see if LeBron can continue this amazing level of play of his or not. I'm hoping that he can just not against San Antonio.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Maybe magic but for sure not the other two

[soxnut1018]

Re: The LeBron James Thread

Nothing, especially the way the game is called now lends itself to more efficiency for players that can routinely get in the paint.

FWIW, Shaq averaged 24, 10 and 3 on 58% shooting over a near 20 year career. He's no good though.

Shaq was great, which is why he'd be #6 right behind LeBron in my top 10.