OT: Before you get excited about LeBron

[RUDivision]

Show the quote of him saying that lol. He won a NC against a zone lol

https://www.basketballnetwork.net/old-school/michael-jordan-pleaded-with-the-league-not-to-implement-the-zone

Sam Smith from the Chicago tribune has talked and written about as well.

I’m 50 and Jordan is a god! He just played in an unatheltic league and never against the athletes or defenses LeBron had to face. Pure basketball player it’s LeBron. Absolute killer it’s MJ

 

[RUDivision]

Then show me where he said it. It’s not rocket science lol. It’s five guys on a court. Sophisticated or not it’s way less physical.

NBA legends have said MJ would average 50 today.

LeBron would have been a unicorn in the 80’s and 90’s . He’s bigger stronger and faster than Michael. The guys beating up MJ that forced him into his lifting regime are smaller than LeBron. Lambier, Davis boys, etc are all smaller than LeBron.

Having LeBron run pick in roll against 4 smaller and slower forwards layers plus a center who can’t move their feet. On defense he could rest all game, with teams dribbling out the clock and dumping it inside.

 

[Caliknight]

https://www.basketballnetwork.net/old-school/michael-jordan-pleaded-with-the-league-not-to-implement-the-zone

Sam Smith from the Chicago tribune has talked and written about as well.

I’m 50 and Jordan is a god! He just played in an unatheltic league and never against the athletes or defenses LeBron had to face. Pure basketball player it’s LeBron. Absolute killer it’s MJ

So no one can provide an actual quote. Got it.

 

[Caliknight]

LeBron would have been a unicorn in the 80’s and 90’s . He’s bigger stronger and faster than Michael. The guys beating up MJ that forced him into his lifting regime are smaller than LeBron. Lambier, Davis boys, etc are all smaller than LeBron.

Having LeBron run pick in roll against 4 smaller and slower forwards layers plus a center who can’t move their feet. On defense he could rest all game, with teams dribbling out the clock and dumping it inside.

Lebron is soft. He would been crying for load management and have sat out with a hang nail. He doesn't have the killer gene. Kobe fully exposed that in the all star game. Was downhill after that.

 

[RUDivision]

So no one can provide an actual quote. Got it.

Just like Jordan retired for 2 years and wasn’t suspended!

Or.

We can’t talk about Jordan on Washington because that doesn’t count

Or

We can’t talk about Jordan before Scottie because we won Zero playoff series and. Couldn’t carry his team.

I get it! You’re a little kid mesmerized by your idol! All good

 

[RUDivision]

Lebron is soft. He would been crying for load management and have sat out with a hang nail. He doesn't have the killer gene. Kobe fully exposed that in the all star game. Was downhill after that.

Soft lol! He holds the record for consecutive finals appearances and minutes in the playoffs ! It’s ok

 

[RU0917]

I can't quit this thread, some non ball knowers telling on themselves over and over.

 

[RUDiddy777]

I’m not emotional about about any pro athlete. Ive seems both play live. It’s not even close. Dude got rolled with 2 HOfers by Dirk Nowitzki with the flu and has a losing record in NBA finals lol

You like floppers. I get why you love soccer so much

You like fluffers. I get why you like California so much.

 

[MADHAT1]

Career Minutes Comparison

• 
  
• • Michael Jordan: 38.3 minutes per game (regular season average across 15 seasons)
  • LeBron James: ~34.7 minutes per game (regular season average across his career)
  Jordan averaged 41.8 minutes per game across his 179 playoff appearances. By comparison, LeBron James has averaged 41.2 minutes per game in his 302 career playoff games.
• 
  
• While Jordan edge out the per-game average, LeBron's longevity allows him to hold a massive lead in total workload.

LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan: Head-to-Head Stats Comparison​

https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/basketball/vs/lebron-james-vs-michael-jordan

 

[RUDiddy777]

Career Minutes Comparison

• 
  
• • Michael Jordan: 38.3 minutes per game (regular season average across 15 seasons)
  • LeBron James: ~34.7 minutes per game (regular season average across his career)
• Jordan averaged 41.8 minutes per game across his 179 playoff appearances. By comparison, LeBron James has averaged 41.2 minutes per game in his 302 career playoff games.
• 
  
• While Jordan edge out the per-game average, LeBron's longevity allows him to hold a massive lead in total workload.

LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan: Head-to-Head Stats Comparison​

https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/basketball/vs/lebron-james-vs-michael-jordan

Id be curious how that compares if you remove Lebrons later years as well. Truly amazing what LeBron has been able to do when all of his contemporaries have been retired for a while (and some already in the HOF).

 

[MADHAT1]

Id be curious how that compares if you remove Lebrons later years as well. Truly amazing what LeBron has been able to do when all of his contemporaries have been retired for a while (and some already in the HOF).

googled
Comparing LeBron James's first 13 seasons in the NBA (2003–04 through 2015–16) to Michael Jordan’s first 13 seasons played for the Chicago Bulls (1984–85 through 1997–98, excluding his partial 1993–95 retirement) reveals two distinct peaks of dominance. Jordan averaged 31.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game, capturing 6 championships and 5 regular-season MVPs. LeBron averaged 27.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game, winning 3 championships and 4 regular-season MVPs.

 

[RUDiddy777]

googled
Comparing LeBron James's first 13 seasons in the NBA (2003–04 through 2015–16) to Michael Jordan’s first 13 seasons played for the Chicago Bulls (1984–85 through 1997–98, excluding his partial 1993–95 retirement) reveals two distinct peaks of dominance. Jordan averaged 31.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game, capturing 6 championships and 5 regular-season MVPs. LeBron averaged 27.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game, winning 3 championships and 4 regular-season MVPs.

Good stuff. Kind of shows how close they actually are. Was curious who won those mvps - bookended by KD, Steph (2x), and Kobe - with an interruption for DRoses ridiculous season before injuries crippled his career.

 

[Caliknight]

LeFlop 22-33 in NBA finals.
MJ 24-11 in NBA Finals.

Jordan was way better when it mattered most. Winner. LeFlop just doesn’t have that gene.

 

[RUDivision]

LeFlop 22-33 in NBA finals.
MJ 24-11 in NBA Finals.

Jordan was way better when it mattered most. Winner. LeFlop just doesn’t have that gene.

MJ 1-9 in the playoffs with out Scottie. Never beat anyone. Thank god for his super team and Scottie

 

[Nycrusupporter]

MJ 1-9 in the playoffs with out Scottie. Never beat anyone. Thank god for his super team and Scottie

And LeBron’s Cleveland championship would have never happened without Kyrie Irving, who was the guy taking all the big shots when games were on the line . . .

 

[RUDivision]

And LeBron’s Cleveland championship would have never happened without Kyrie Irving, who was the guy taking all the big shots when games were on the line . . .

Like John Paxton and Steve Kerr? LeBron has won with multiple number 2 guys .

Jordan couldn’t win a playoff series with out Scottie let alone get to a finals. Jordan was a killer on a great team but could never carry a bunch of bums like Bron.

 

[Caliknight]

LeBum got torched by a sick Dirk Nowitzki playing with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosch lol

MJ would have never lost a game with that lineup.

 

[RUDiddy777]

LeBum got torched by a sick Dirk Nowitzki playing with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosch lol

MJ would have never lost a game with that lineup.

Michael had a way better defensive team around him.

 

[seansherm]

Can't believe this convo still going, but curiosity got me looking into each's first playoff games ever.
Jordan wasn't his teams leading scorer (Quinton Dailey) and lost to a team led by Pat Cummings and Sidney Moncrief (good players). Jordan shot 7-19 w 10 assts.
Lebron had a triple double 32,11,11 and won against a team led by Gilbert Arena, Caron Butler, and Antwan Jamison. Zydrunas Ilgauskas was probably his top teammate.
Man, they both had some sorry teams off the bat.

 

[Caliknight]

Michael had a way better defensive team around him.

Except he was the best defender on the team. LeFlop gets scored on at will. Ole!

 

[RUDivision]

Except he was the best defender on the team. LeFlop gets scored on at will. Ole!

He was not a better defender than Rodman or Scottie ! Stop ! The NBA hype machine made Jordan a mythical figure

 

[Rutgers25]

It’s okay to say LeBron does flop and that Jordan was better but also to acknowledge he’s still one of the greatest players of all time.

 

[Caliknight]

He was not a better defender than Rodman or Scottie ! Stop ! The NBA hype machine made Jordan a mythical figure

He was not a better defender than Rodman or Scottie ! Stop ! The NBA hype machine made Jordan a mythical figure

Ye he was. Defensive player of the year and 9x first team all defensive team. Dude was a lock. And no one needed to do anything. We saw it with our own eyes.

LeFlop is a turnstile. Doesn’t even try.

 

[RUBob75]

Ye he was. Defensive player of the year and 9x first team all defensive team. Dude was a lock. And no one needed to do anything. We saw it with our own eyes.

LeFlop is a turnstile. Doesn’t even try.

Your attacks seem personal. What did Lebron do to you,

 

[Caliknight]

Your attacks seem personal. What did Lebron do to you,

Nothing. I’ve just seen him play up close and personal. It’s not personal. I’ve never met the guy as far as I know.

What’s personal is the fanbois who can’t admit the obvious. He’s their GOAT which is fine, but he’s really no where near it.

 

[RUDivision]

Ye he was. Defensive player of the year and 9x first team all defensive team. Dude was a lock. And no one needed to do anything. We saw it with our own eyes.

LeFlop is a turnstile. Doesn’t even try.

He was a weak side defender who was assigned the worst player on the floor. He would cheat off his man for steals and help side rotation. He got torched but Rex Chapman and others . His honors were part of the nba hype machine.

Not close to Rodman and Scottie defensively. Jordan was a scorer in a slow unathletic league sho beat no one.

I understand your childhood obsession and fault no one for picking MJ.

Bron is just a far superior all around complete player

 

[MADHAT1]

He was a weak side defender who was assigned the worst player on the floor. He would cheat off his man for steals and help side rotation. He got torched but Rex Chapman and others . His honors were part of the nba hype machine.

Not close to Rodman and Scottie defensively. Jordan was a scorer in a slow unathletic league sho beat no one.

I understand your childhood obsession and fault no one for picking MJ.

Bron is just a far superior all around complete player

( it seems like you're misinformed or posting misinformation to support an agenda)
Google says :
>No, Michael Jordan did not hide on defense by guarding the worst player on the floor
The Facts on Jordan's Defense

• 
  
• • Elite Assignments: Game film and tracking show that Jordan regularly took the opponent's toughest perimeter threat, from Magic Johnson in the 1991 Finals to Clyde Drexler in 1992. [1, 2]
  • Defensive Accolades: He won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 1988 and was named to the All-Defensive First Team nine times. [1]
  • Sharing the Load: Scottie Pippen also guarded elite players, which allowed the Chicago Bulls to switch or share lockdown duties depending on foul trouble and game flow, but Jordan never shirked top defensive responsibilities<

Michael Jordan's defense in his final NBA season (2002–03) with the Washington Wizards was statistically respectable and fundamentally sound, though his lateral quickness and on-ball intensity had naturally declined at age 40. While he was no longer the lockdown perimeter defender who earned nine All-Defensive First Team honors, describing his final year's defense as entirely "subpar" overlooks his positive structural impact and high intelligence on that end of the floor.
By the Numbers: Jordan’s 2002–03 Defensive Impact
Despite playing all 82 games and averaging a demanding 37.0 minutes per game, Jordan maintained efficient defensive production:

• • Defensive Rating: Jordan posted a individual defensive rating of 102.9, which was actually better than the Washington Wizards' overall team defensive rating of 104.1.
  • By the Numbers: Jordan’s 2002–03 Defensive Impact
    Despite playing all 82 games and averaging a demanding 37.0 minutes per game, Jordan maintained efficient defensive production: [1, 2]
    • • Defensive Rating: Jordan posted a individual defensive rating of 102.9, which was actually better than the Washington Wizards' overall team defensive rating of 104.1. [1, 2]
      • Steals and Blocks: He averaged 1.5 steals and 0.5 blocks per game. While down from his career averages (2.3 steals, 0.8 blocks), these numbers were still highly effective for a 40-year-old guard.
      • Rebounding: He pulled down 5.2 defensive rebounds per game, using his size and strength to finish possessions for his team.
      • • Loss of Lateral Quickness: Jordan could no longer consistently stay in front of younger, lightning-fast guards on the perimeter, forcing him to rely more on positioning, anticipation, and funneling drivers to his help defenders.
        • Conservation of Energy: Because he carried a heavy offensive load for the Wizards (averaging 20.0 points per game), he occasionally had to "take plays off" on defense to preserve his stamina. [1]
        • The Shadow of His Prime: Much of the "subpar" narrative comes from comparing 40-year-old Washington Wizards Jordan to 1988 Defensive Player of the Year Chicago Bulls Jordan. Measured against the average NBA wing player at the time, his defense remained entirely serviceable.

• 
  Now google says to this question : "These are results for Does Lebron james DEFEND the worst player on the floor"
• Yes, at this stage of his career, LeBron James frequently "hides" or is assigned to guard the least threatening offensive player on the opposing team to conserve energy for his massive offensive workload
• 
  
• • The "Hiding" Strategy: Analysts and former players (like Nick Young) have pointed out that LeBron often takes the easiest defensive assignment on the floor—typically a non-shooter or a low-usage role player—allowing him to roam, rest, and function primarily as a free-safety or help-defender rather than chasing elite scorers.
  • Context of Age and Workload: Entering his 20s and 40s in the league, carrying a heavy offensive burden for the Lakers means LeBron cannot expend elite energy locking down primary perimeter threats for 35+ minutes a night. [1, 2]
  • Historical Shift: This is a distinct shift from his prime years in Miami and his first stint in Cleveland, where he regularly took on the challenge of guarding the opponent's best player (from point guards like Derrick Rose to bigs like Tim Duncan) and earned multiple All-Defensive First Team nods.
• LeBron James' regular-season defense first began to visibly suffer and decline during his 2014–15 return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, while his formal shift to consistently guarding the opponent’s lesser offensive talent became a permanent strategy during the 2017–18 season and his subsequent tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers.
  To sustain his massive offensive workload and preserve longevity as he aged, coaches systematically transitioned him into a "free safety" role, hiding him on spot-up shooters and low-threat perimeter players
• The Early Signs of "Coasting" (2014–2016)
  • • The Shift: Upon returning to Cleveland for the 2014–15 season, LeBron began pacing himself defensively to handle carrying the team's offense. [1]
    • The Reality: While he could still reach an elite level when highly motivated—most famously exemplified by his iconic chase-down blocks in the 2016 NBA Finals—his night-to-night regular-season focus plummeted. He stopped making NBA All-Defensive teams entirely after the 2013–14 season. [1, 2, 3]
• 
  2. The Absolute Drop-off & Hiding Phase (2017–2018)
  • • The Breaking Point: The 2017–18 season with the Cavaliers marks when his defensive metric drop-off became impossible to ignore. Tracking data from Second Spectrumrevealed that LeBron's average walking/running speed during games fell into the bottom 10 of all rotation players in the league.
      • • Defending Lesser Talent: During this time, the Cavaliers' coaching staff actively stopped assigning him to elite perimeter scorers. Instead, he was assigned to the opponent's weakest offensive threat so he could rest off the ball, save his legs, and monitor the floor structurally rather than fighting through screens. [1, 2]
    • 
      3. The Low-Effort Narrative in Los Angeles (2018–Present)
      • • The Memes and Metrics: After joining the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, his localized defensive lapses became viral talking points—including instances where teammates like Kyle Kuzma physically pushed him into position. Advanced analytics confirmed the Lakers were frequently better defensively during the regular season when he sat.
        • The Intermittent Elite: Despite the drop in baseline effort, LeBron managed to remain an elite isolation defender in short, highly situational bursts, using his superior basketball IQ to shut down players when the game slowed down in late-game playoff scenarios

 

[RUDivision]

( it seems like you're misinformed or posting misinformation to support an agenda)
Google says :
>No, Michael Jordan did not hide on defense by guarding the worst player on the floor
The Facts on Jordan's Defense

• 
  
• • Elite Assignments: Game film and tracking show that Jordan regularly took the opponent's toughest perimeter threat, from Magic Johnson in the 1991 Finals to Clyde Drexler in 1992. [1, 2]
  • Defensive Accolades: He won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 1988 and was named to the All-Defensive First Team nine times. [1]
  • Sharing the Load: Scottie Pippen also guarded elite players, which allowed the Chicago Bulls to switch or share lockdown duties depending on foul trouble and game flow, but Jordan never shirked top defensive responsibilities<

Michael Jordan's defense in his final NBA season (2002–03) with the Washington Wizards was statistically respectable and fundamentally sound, though his lateral quickness and on-ball intensity had naturally declined at age 40. While he was no longer the lockdown perimeter defender who earned nine All-Defensive First Team honors, describing his final year's defense as entirely "subpar" overlooks his positive structural impact and high intelligence on that end of the floor.
By the Numbers: Jordan’s 2002–03 Defensive Impact
Despite playing all 82 games and averaging a demanding 37.0 minutes per game, Jordan maintained efficient defensive production:

• • Defensive Rating: Jordan posted a individual defensive rating of 102.9, which was actually better than the Washington Wizards' overall team defensive rating of 104.1.
  • By the Numbers: Jordan’s 2002–03 Defensive Impact
    Despite playing all 82 games and averaging a demanding 37.0 minutes per game, Jordan maintained efficient defensive production: [1, 2]
    • • Defensive Rating: Jordan posted a individual defensive rating of 102.9, which was actually better than the Washington Wizards' overall team defensive rating of 104.1. [1, 2]
      • Steals and Blocks: He averaged 1.5 steals and 0.5 blocks per game. While down from his career averages (2.3 steals, 0.8 blocks), these numbers were still highly effective for a 40-year-old guard.
      • Rebounding: He pulled down 5.2 defensive rebounds per game, using his size and strength to finish possessions for his team.
      • • Loss of Lateral Quickness: Jordan could no longer consistently stay in front of younger, lightning-fast guards on the perimeter, forcing him to rely more on positioning, anticipation, and funneling drivers to his help defenders.
        • Conservation of Energy: Because he carried a heavy offensive load for the Wizards (averaging 20.0 points per game), he occasionally had to "take plays off" on defense to preserve his stamina. [1]
        • The Shadow of His Prime: Much of the "subpar" narrative comes from comparing 40-year-old Washington Wizards Jordan to 1988 Defensive Player of the Year Chicago Bulls Jordan. Measured against the average NBA wing player at the time, his defense remained entirely serviceable.
• 
  Now google says to this question : "These are results for Does Lebron james DEFEND the worst player on the floor"
• Yes, at this stage of his career, LeBron James frequently "hides" or is assigned to guard the least threatening offensive player on the opposing team to conserve energy for his massive offensive workload
• 
  
• • The "Hiding" Strategy: Analysts and former players (like Nick Young) have pointed out that LeBron often takes the easiest defensive assignment on the floor—typically a non-shooter or a low-usage role player—allowing him to roam, rest, and function primarily as a free-safety or help-defender rather than chasing elite scorers.
  • Context of Age and Workload: Entering his 20s and 40s in the league, carrying a heavy offensive burden for the Lakers means LeBron cannot expend elite energy locking down primary perimeter threats for 35+ minutes a night. [1, 2]
  • Historical Shift: This is a distinct shift from his prime years in Miami and his first stint in Cleveland, where he regularly took on the challenge of guarding the opponent's best player (from point guards like Derrick Rose to bigs like Tim Duncan) and earned multiple All-Defensive First Team nods.
• LeBron James' regular-season defense first began to visibly suffer and decline during his 2014–15 return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, while his formal shift to consistently guarding the opponent’s lesser offensive talent became a permanent strategy during the 2017–18 season and his subsequent tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers.
  To sustain his massive offensive workload and preserve longevity as he aged, coaches systematically transitioned him into a "free safety" role, hiding him on spot-up shooters and low-threat perimeter players
• The Early Signs of "Coasting" (2014–2016)
  • • The Shift: Upon returning to Cleveland for the 2014–15 season, LeBron began pacing himself defensively to handle carrying the team's offense. [1]
    • The Reality: While he could still reach an elite level when highly motivated—most famously exemplified by his iconic chase-down blocks in the 2016 NBA Finals—his night-to-night regular-season focus plummeted. He stopped making NBA All-Defensive teams entirely after the 2013–14 season. [1, 2, 3]
• 
  2. The Absolute Drop-off & Hiding Phase (2017–2018)
  • • The Breaking Point: The 2017–18 season with the Cavaliers marks when his defensive metric drop-off became impossible to ignore. Tracking data from Second Spectrumrevealed that LeBron's average walking/running speed during games fell into the bottom 10 of all rotation players in the league.
      • • Defending Lesser Talent: During this time, the Cavaliers' coaching staff actively stopped assigning him to elite perimeter scorers. Instead, he was assigned to the opponent's weakest offensive threat so he could rest off the ball, save his legs, and monitor the floor structurally rather than fighting through screens. [1, 2]
    • 
      3. The Low-Effort Narrative in Los Angeles (2018–Present)
      • • The Memes and Metrics: After joining the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, his localized defensive lapses became viral talking points—including instances where teammates like Kyle Kuzma physically pushed him into position. Advanced analytics confirmed the Lakers were frequently better defensively during the regular season when he sat.
        • The Intermittent Elite: Despite the drop in baseline effort, LeBron managed to remain an elite isolation defender in short, highly situational bursts, using his superior basketball IQ to shut down players when the game slowed down in late-game playoff scenarios

Clearly Google and you did not watch MJ play. Scottie had the best player because he was the best on ball defender. Rodman had the bigs who back then were the best players on the team. MJ because he shot the ball so many times and was the center on the offense rested on the worst player on the court. Occasionally on switches MJ would guard.

 

[MADHAT1]

Clearly Google and you did not watch MJ play. Scottie had the best player because he was the best on ball defender. Rodman had the bigs who back then were the best players on the team. MJ because he shot the ball so many times and was the center on the offense rested on the worst player on the court. Occasionally on switches MJ would guard.

I watched MJ rookie year on , watched Scottie , watched LeBron from rookie year and Wilt the Stilt
from when he battled Bill Russell from the beginning of his career till Russell retired.
But I don't claim to be a great judge of basketball talent and feel rather than demand my opinion be taken as gospel, I look for the facts and use what I find in discussions like this.

Your opinion that LeBron is the GOAT of all time is shared by many.
But MJ has far more feeling he;s the GOAT and more in the basketball world are in that group than those touting King James.

My opinion is Wilt the Stilt is the GOAT , but very few in the basketball world would agree with me on that .
I would put MJ ahead of LeBron and King James ahead of the Black Mamba when it comes to the who is the GOAT between Micheal Jordan, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.
But add Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell and the Jordan, James and Bryant become 3,4&5 in my mind
Chamberlain deserves #1 because >Wilt was so dominant they literally changed basketball rules because of him. They widened the lane and established offensive goaltending because of the way he ruled the paint
Bill Russell at 2 because his D was so great he didn't have to score and he controlled the flow of the games the Celtics played giving Boston the advantage in every game he played in for the Celtics even against the Stilt
Bill Russell was the reason Boston won 11 championships in the 13 years he played for them .
His teammates could play great because of how Russel mastered the art of team defense as Boston's center and made the opponent play the game the way Boston dictated

My following the NBA goes back to when Ray Felix, Willie Naulls , Kenny Sears and Richie Guerin ( my favorite Knick growing up)
I seen the players from then till now and on to the next NBA season
Jordan was better taking in his whole career then LeBron was and is now.
But the Wizzard MJ wasn't and that's who you chose to see and make that one a Bull

 

[RUDiddy777]

I watched MJ rookie year on , watched Scottie , watched LeBron from rookie year and Wilt the Stilt
from when he battled Bill Russell from the beginning of his career till Russell retired.
But I don't claim to be a great judge of basketball talent and feel rather than demand my opinion be taken as gospel, I look for the facts and use what I find in discussions like this.

Your opinion that LeBron is the GOAT of all time is shared by many.
But MJ has far more feeling he;s the GOAT and more in the basketball world are in that group than those touting King James.

My opinion is Wilt the Stilt is the GOAT , but very few in the basketball world would agree with me on that .
I would put MJ ahead of LeBron and King James ahead of the Black Mamba when it comes to the who is the GOAT between Micheal Jordan, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.
But add Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell and the Jordan, James and Bryant become 3,4&5 in my mind
Chamberlain deserves #1 because >Wilt was so dominant they literally changed basketball rules because of him. They widened the lane and established offensive goaltending because of the way he ruled the paint
Bill Russell at 2 because his D was so great he didn't have to score and he controlled the flow of the games the Celtics played giving Boston the advantage in every game he played in for the Celtics even against the Stilt
Bill Russell was the reason Boston won 11 championships in the 13 years he played for them .
His teammates could play great because of how Russel mastered the art of team defense as Boston's center and made the opponent play the game the way Boston dictated

My following the NBA goes back to when Ray Felix, Willie Naulls , Kenny Sears and Richie Guerin ( my favorite Knick growing up)
I seen the players from then till now and on to the next NBA season
Jordan was better taking in his whole career then LeBron was and is now.
But the Wizzard MJ wasn't and that's who you chose to see and make that one a Bull

just to add, the NCAA had to change the rules and court configuration to combat Russell’s dominance on defense. Not sure anyone else can claim that.

 

[Caliknight]

He was a weak side defender who was assigned the worst player on the floor. He would cheat off his man for steals and help side rotation. He got torched but Rex Chapman and others . His honors were part of the nba hype machine.

Not close to Rodman and Scottie defensively. Jordan was a scorer in a slow unathletic league sho beat no one.

I understand your childhood obsession and fault no one for picking MJ.

Bron is just a far superior all around complete player

I’ve never seen a post with more wrong in it lol

 

[RUDivision]

I’ve never seen a post with more wrong in it lol

It’s ok ! Everyone wants to feel like a kid again

 

[RUDivision]

I’ve never seen a post with more wrong in it lol

Help me then:

Best players on the Sonics, Jazz, Blazers, Suns, Over the hill Lakers etc. Who did he guard? Those teams were absolute trash.

Did he beat the in the Prime lakers or Celtics? Hell, he didn’t beat the pistons until Isiah got hurt.

 

[Caliknight]

He often shut down every teams best player. 9x first team all defense. LeFlop is a turnstile. You’re not even serious anymore.

 

[RUDivision]

He often shut down every teams best player. 9x first team all defense. LeFlop is a turnstile. You’re not even serious anymore.

This may be the most uniformed note on the boards. You obviously do not watch basketball then or now. The childhood obsession is cute though

 

[LotusAggressor_rivals]

Interesting discussion. A few points.

1) For all the talk about LeBron's 4-6 record in the Finals, it's rarely pointed out that in the 10 NBA Finals he played in, he was on the better team only three times, and he has 4 rings. Jerry West, an all time great, who was the NBA logo, was 1-8 despite having Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, and Gail Goodrich as teammates. Jordan never lost when his team was better. That can't be said about LeBron, West, or Wilt.

2) The Bulls teams that won 6 titles in 8 seasons were by far the best in the NBA in those years. There was an inevitability about those championships. They had seasons of 61, 67, 57, 72, 69, and 62 wins. The only time they didn't win during that stretch was the season or so that Jordan was retired.

 

[Caliknight]

This may be the most uniformed note on the boards. You obviously do not watch basketball then or now. The childhood obsession is cute though

I’ve seen LeBum play live more than anyone on this board. My company has had season tickets his entire tenure with the Lakers. You’re a fanboy. I get it. But you’re still wrong.

 

[RUDiddy777]

I’ve seen LeBum play live more than anyone on this board. My company has had season tickets his entire tenure with the Lakers. You’re a fanboy. I get it. But you’re still wrong.

Watching basketball and understanding basketball are not the same thing.

Ive been to countless basketball games, that doesnt mean I should manage a team.

 

[Caliknight]

Watching basketball and understanding basketball are not the same thing.

Ive been to countless basketball games, that doesnt mean I should manage a team.

Basketball is an extremely elementary game. You were never an athlete but that shouldn’t be an excuse. It’s a basic game and easily understood, as are the players on the court.

 

[RUDivision]

I’ve seen LeBum play live more than anyone on this board. My company has had season tickets his entire tenure with the Lakers. You’re a fanboy. I get it. But you’re still wrong.

so they end of his career got it! Like Jordan’s embarrassing wizards years lol