Lebron in the 90s

[KG]

Re: Lebron in the 90s

The 90s wasn't really a great period for the NBA. They took the hand-check away early on and started letting schoolboys and Europeans flood into the league.


More interesting is to wonder how LBJ would have done from about 64 to 69 when the competition was fierce, fast and fundamental every night. LBJ would play power forward and would have to face off against DeBusschere, Johnson, and LaRusso.

lol No one on here knows about bball from 64-69 but I'm sure if you transported Bron back into that bogus season where Oscar averaged a triple double he would have put up insane #'s too. Before anyone asks why just look up the seasons stats on basketball reference. There were some funky things going on.

[AlexBrady]

Re: Lebron in the 90s

lol No one on here knows about bball from 64-69 but I'm sure if you transported Bron back into that bogus season where Oscar averaged a triple double he would have put up insane #'s too. Before anyone asks why just look up the seasons stats on basketball reference. There were some funky things going on.

Putting up numbers isn't really the game. Although Oscar Robertson's fine season wasn't bogus at all. He was the most fundamentally sound player who ever breathed.

[Dice]

Re: Lebron in the 90s

The 90s wasn't really a great period for the NBA. They took the hand-check away early on and started letting schoolboys and Europeans flood into the league.


More interesting is to wonder how LBJ would have done from about 64 to 69 when the competition was fierce, fast and fundamental every night. LBJ would play power forward and would have to face off against DeBusschere, Johnson, and LaRusso.

Considering Lebron's physical size, strength, speed and skill, he would have been a combination of Elgin Baylor and Oscar Robertson on steroids.

[AlexBrady]

Re: Lebron in the 90s

Considering Lebron's physical size, strength, speed and skill, he would have been a combination of Elgin Baylor and Oscar Robertson on steroids.

There is no questioning his strength, speed, and skill but he would be going against guys who are just as strong and quick.

[KG]

Re: Lebron in the 90s

There is no questioning his strength, speed, and skill but he would be going against guys who are just as strong and quick.

That's just not true at all. Granted, Lebron has the luxury of modern training & science he's head & shoulders above modern players let alone guys from the past. I won't argue fundamentals but to say there were (even are now) guys that can match his size, strength, and athleticism is just false.

[AlexBrady]

Re: Lebron in the 90s

That's just not true at all. Granted, Lebron has the luxury of modern training & science he's head & shoulders above modern players let alone guys from the past. I won't argue fundamentals but to say there were (even are now) guys that can match his size, strength, and athleticism is just false.

Paul Pierce could match his strength and quickness and he completely destroyed LeBron's defense. Ron Artest could usually control LeBron's offense. Bruce Bowen did good work on LBJ as well. Shawn Marion was another guy who matched up quite well.
DeBusschere and Johnson were the two best wing defenders ever and went 6-6 240 and 6-6 250 respectively.

[Go Miami]

Re: Lebron in the 90s

Paul Pierce could match his strength and quickness and he completely destroyed LeBron's defense. Ron Artest could usually control LeBron's offense. Bruce Bowen did good work on LBJ as well. Shawn Marion was another guy who matched up quite well.
DeBusschere and Johnson were the two best wing defenders ever and went 6-6 240 and 6-6 250 respectively.

Nostalgia is a hell of a drug!

[KG]

Re: Lebron in the 90s

Paul Pierce could match his strength and quickness and he completely destroyed LeBron's defense. Ron Artest could usually control LeBron's offense. Bruce Bowen did good work on LBJ as well. Shawn Marion was another guy who matched up quite well.
DeBusschere and Johnson were the two best wing defenders ever and went 6-6 240 and 6-6 250 respectively.

I'll give you Pierce on the offensive side going at Bron but IMO the Celtics team defense was a huge factor in limiting Bron's effectiveness but even considering that Bron put up some huge games on him.

Ron Artest - NO. His lateral quickness faded after his Pacers days and he just resulted to "body'ing" defenders and using his strong hands.

Bruce Bowen - On "young Lebron yes" but once Lebron started developing a jumper he put up some huge games:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/h2h_finder.cgi?request=1&p1=bowenbr01&p2=jamesle01

44, 35, 27, 39, 30, 38

Also keep in mind that Bowen retired in '08-'09, around the time that Bron was hitting his stride.

Here's his lines vs Marion:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/h2h_finder.cgi?request=1&p1=jamesle01&p2=mariosh01

vs Pierce:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/h2h_finder.cgi?request=1&p1=piercpa01&p2=jamesle01

Oh, and Lebron has 2 inches & at least 10-20 lbs of muscle on those guys.

[DamnYanks2]

Re: Lebron in the 90s

Lebron would do his thing in any era, no question in my mind. Lebron is a monster, there never has been a player like him. And just like MJ, there never will be.

[Dice]

Re: Lebron in the 90s

Nostalgia is a hell of a drug!

Well, everybody feels that 'their' generation of players are the best. Most of the elders think that the 60's was the best time for basketball. You got people like me in my early 40's who think the 80's was the best time. Then you have the those who are in their mid-30's who feel the 90's was the best time. You even have people who feel that this current NBA now is the best it's ever seen. Depending on what you like.

In a sense, we all have nostalgia. For some reason or another. However, there are few players in every generation that would have been able to play in any generation and still be as great. Lebron is one of those players.

[ehh]

Re: Lebron in the 90s

I'll give you Pierce on the offensive side going at Bron but IMO the Celtics team defense was a huge factor in limiting Bron's effectiveness but even considering that Bron put up some huge games on him.

Not to mention Mike Brown's rather simple offense wasn't the most difficult thing to stop as well.