NBA Thread
- Thread starter ryanbruner
- Start date
It's too bad Cuz got hurt or he'd be another Cat with a ring.
70 pt 32 reb 17 ast
Not a bad line for Kentucky in the championship clinching game.
Not a bad line for Kentucky in the championship clinching game.
He’s a Superstar in the playoffs, when it matters the most. But you are correct.
ABC just showed Vogel talking to AD saying "You know what Coach Cal told me? He said AD helped me win my first championship and he'll help you win yours."
I hope recruits are paying attention.
I hope recruits are paying attention.
So how does Lebron's 4th ring change his legacy for everyone?
Personally, I'm not a rings guy. Its a team stat. But, I think 4 rings on 3 teams is definitely GOAT status. I think if he can win a 5th (assuming not as a bench player), you can't deny him as Jordan's equal. But you can argue hes right there, as is.
Personally, I'm not a rings guy. Its a team stat. But, I think 4 rings on 3 teams is definitely GOAT status. I think if he can win a 5th (assuming not as a bench player), you can't deny him as Jordan's equal. But you can argue hes right there, as is.
He's the best to do it. If there's a draft of every player in their primes, I'm taking him first.
Great way to look at it. I actually love using this in a sports debate. You're a GM/coach trying to earn his million dollar salary.. Who do you take? I still might pick Jordan for his clutch factor.. But Lebron is DAMN close.. and I wouldn't fault someone for picking him.
Who would have thought Alex Caruso would win a title, and start no less. He seemed like a solid, pesky player at A&M, but I'm shocked that those traits are working in the NBA.
Due to the horde of different aspects that are involved, I've never, ever been able to rank the all-time greats into any order that I feel is definitive. I shift the bottom ranks constantly, so from now on I'm just going to settle who I consider the GOATs into tiers. Placement's based on an equal combination of a trio of traits that are, in my opinion, the most essential for any professional GOAT candidate: individual accomplishments, team success, and influence (on popular culture as well as the game itself).
Tier three is comprised of five players: Dr. J, Duncan, Hakeem, Robertson, and West.
Tier two has six: Magic, Bird, Russell, Wilt, Shaq, Kobe.
Tier one, the greatest of the great: Jordan, LeBron, Kareem.
Curry and Durant both have good shots at landing in tier three someday.
I may never be able to settle on a definitive GOAT, but I absolutely consider tier one above tier two and tier two above tier three. And although LeBron's already in tier one and likely has years of even more on-court success still waiting for him, I don't think that he'll ever surpass tier one because the era of the NBA that LeBron's ruling isn't anywhere nearly as culturally relevant or influential as Jordan's.
Last edited:
Look at the list of guys who have won rings alongside LeBron that you can't believe have a title. It might be as impressive as his own individual accomplishments and statistics.
I think Kareem has the greatest career/most achievements.
I think LeBron is the best basketball player of all time.
I think Jordan is considered the GOAT for being second in both of those categories and being the perfect figure at the perfect time. If Michael Jordan has the exact same career starting in 1974 instead of 84, I don't think we view him the same way. Cable, Sportscenter, Nike, Gatorade, and the NBA that Magic and Bird helped build first gave him the chance to build the status he has.
Not to mention, the sports conversation is/has been dominated by the age group who worship him and somehow consider his superiority emblematic of the legitimacy of their entire era. I think as time passes and those folks are replaced by people who grew up with LeBron, you'll see a shift.
I think LeBron is the best basketball player of all time.
I think Jordan is considered the GOAT for being second in both of those categories and being the perfect figure at the perfect time. If Michael Jordan has the exact same career starting in 1974 instead of 84, I don't think we view him the same way. Cable, Sportscenter, Nike, Gatorade, and the NBA that Magic and Bird helped build first gave him the chance to build the status he has.
Not to mention, the sports conversation is/has been dominated by the age group who worship him and somehow consider his superiority emblematic of the legitimacy of their entire era. I think as time passes and those folks are replaced by people who grew up with LeBron, you'll see a shift.
It's not mentioned very often in discussion of GOAT candidates, but Kareem accomplished something really cool and distinct that Jordan and LeBron won't ever do.
Besides having a great scene in one of the absoute greatest comedies ever, Lew also dragged Walton and Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes, so he would've single-handedly wiped the court with the Monstars. Jordan needed a superteam to beat them, and LeBron can't even get a remake of the movie made. Pathetic.
I don't watch much ESPN these days, but the days after LBJ retires, the GOAT debates/arguments are gonna be must see tv.
This is exactly where I'm at right now. LeBron is going to have a legit argument for GOAT, especially if he wins a 5th.
Ive often wondered if one of the reasons why Jordan has such a legend is because he did it for a franchise that didn't have any championships. Would his legend be as big if he had done it for say The Celts or the Lakers? Kobe won 5 as a Laker, but would it have been different if he had stayed in Charlotte and won 5 there?
LeBron is probably getting another title at some point.
He’ll more than likely surpass Kareem for career points.
Depending on how long and effective both he and CP3 play,he could jump up to 3 or 4 in assists.
He’ll easily finish somewhere in the top 10 for steals.
It’s basically a lock he finishes no lower than fourth in career triple doubles.
Already leads numerous playoff statistical categories with no one anywhere close to him in many of those categories.
Tied for the most All-NBA selection, which he should set the record next year unless he misses a bunch of games like in 2019.
He’ll never surpass Jordan for the folks who insist that Jordan never losing a Finals series makes him infallible, but the combination of it all will convince most people who are legitimately open to the discussion that LeBron is the GOAT by the time he retires.
He’ll more than likely surpass Kareem for career points.
Depending on how long and effective both he and CP3 play,he could jump up to 3 or 4 in assists.
He’ll easily finish somewhere in the top 10 for steals.
It’s basically a lock he finishes no lower than fourth in career triple doubles.
Already leads numerous playoff statistical categories with no one anywhere close to him in many of those categories.
Tied for the most All-NBA selection, which he should set the record next year unless he misses a bunch of games like in 2019.
He’ll never surpass Jordan for the folks who insist that Jordan never losing a Finals series makes him infallible, but the combination of it all will convince most people who are legitimately open to the discussion that LeBron is the GOAT by the time he retires.
I am going to get **** for this but.
Tier 1: MJ and Kareem,
Tier 1b: Magic and Duncan
Tier 2: Lebron, Bird, (i initially had Lebron solidly as #2, but then I decided to keep him here). Keep in mind, Lebron's career hasn't ended. He can definitely move up, and move up a lot if he stays with AD.
Tier 3: Kobe, and a few other players here.
Missed the first series of the playoffs and still finished with 105 assists off the bench in 16 games.
Playoff Rondo!
Playoff Rondo!
Last edited:
He's 57 below Tony Parker for all-time assists in playoffs (Crazy). If he stays with Laker for at least 1 year, he should get that. If he stays 3-4 years he's looking at Jason Freaking Kidd @ 1263.
Let's GO RONDO!
I put less and less stock into those 35+ year old Jordan fans by the day. It isn't a Lebron v Jordan debate for them... it's Jordan vs anyone. A lot of them refuse to believe that someone can come along who might be better.. it's always "Jordan never lost a finals" and "The league was 'tougher' back then". They have cemented into their minds that no matter how many rings Lebron wins, Jordan is still better.
And yes, you have some of that in the Lebron camp as well, no doubt. But look at this thread, almost every one in support of Lebron is still saying things like "Well if he can accompolish this or do that".. it's fluid. Jordan fans? Nope, because Lebron changed teams he's just immediately DQ'd. I've yet to see a single Jordan fan be open to the possibility that Lebron is the GOAT.
I think a lot of that is
Injury, and don't want to continue.
I don't think either the case for Rondo. I think he knows he has it good right now.
