Lebron James is no Michael Jordan

[CowboyRoy]

I cant tell you how happy I am that Lebron lost another finals. Rooting for him to lose is almost as fun as rooting for my Celtics to win.

Lebron certainly had a great playoffs and I found myself comparing him to Jordan more than I usually do. Then I watched a special yesterday on Michael Jordan. And there is no debate really. Jordan was better. No question. The things he did James simply doesnt and cannot do. And then Jordan never lost a finals either. Lebron 2-4?

His legacy may wind up being the biggest finals loser in NBA history. That would be fine with me.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

I cant tell you how happy I am that Lebron lost another finals. Rooting for him to lose is almost as fun as rooting for my Celtics to win.

Lebron certainly had a great playoffs and I found myself comparing him to Jordan more than I usually do. Then I watched a special yesterday on Michael Jordan. And there is no debate really. Jordan was better. No question. The things he did James simply doesnt and cannot do. And then Jordan never lost a finals either. Lebron 2-4?

His legacy may wind up being the biggest finals loser in NBA history. That would be fine with me.

NBA thread... here this comes!

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I cant tell you how happy I am that Lebron lost another finals. Rooting for him to lose is almost as fun as rooting for my Celtics to win.

Lebron certainly had a great playoffs and I found myself comparing him to Jordan more than I usually do. Then I watched a special yesterday on Michael Jordan. And there is no debate really. Jordan was better. No question. The things he did James simply doesnt and cannot do. And then Jordan never lost a finals either. Lebron 2-4?

His legacy may wind up being the biggest finals loser in NBA history. That would be fine with me.

I like LeBron a lot.

He is no jordan. That is ok.

He is still great. Not as great as jordan though.

There is no debate. If anyone debates the two it is foolish.

6 for 6
Threepeat 2x

Vs

Lose

Lose
Win
Win
Lose - he shouldn't have lost 2 in Miami. Should have been 4 straight. Then, only then could he be compared to jordan. Didn't happen. Debate shouldn't happen.

Lose

 

[YosemiteSam]

I cant tell you how happy I am that Lebron lost another finals. Rooting for him to lose is almost as fun as rooting for my Celtics to win.

Lebron certainly had a great playoffs and I found myself comparing him to Jordan more than I usually do. Then I watched a special yesterday on Michael Jordan. And there is no debate really. Jordan was better. No question. The things he did James simply doesnt and cannot do. And then Jordan never lost a finals either. Lebron 2-4?

His legacy may wind up being the biggest finals loser in NBA history. That would be fine with me.

I disagree. He is easily the most dominate player in the NBA right now. He is dominate at the same level Jordan and Shaq were. (ie, super elite) He lost in the NBA finals because the Warriors were just a better team than his team even with LeBron. I'm pretty sure even Jordan would have lost that finals if he instead of LeBron where on that team. Jordan had a very good supporting cast.

It didn't hurt Jordan to have one of the greatest coaches in NBA history leading his teams either.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I disagree. He is easily the most dominate player in the NBA right now. He is dominate at the same level Jordan and Shaq were. (ie, super elite) He lost in the NBA finals because the Warriors were just a better team than his team even with LeBron. I'm pretty sure even Jordan would have lost that finals if he instead of LeBron where on that team. Jordan had a very good supporting cast.

It didn't hurt Jordan to have one of the greatest coaches in NBA history leading his teams either.

Right now yes, but Jordan was better. Go back and see any highlight video or special on Michael Jordan. And Jordan was definitely more likeable, had more class, was a more ferocious competitor, and didnt go around talking about how he was the best player on the planet, then lose at home to lose the finals the next day.

Lebron is a bigger, more physical presence than Jordan was, but he is not and never will be better than Jordan.

Jordan also played in a much more physical, difficult NBA. This is a watered down NBA where everyone plays small ball and bombs threes. Jordan was knifing through the likes of Patrick Ewing and Anthony Mason and slamming over them. Piston Bad Boys, Birds Celtics, ect....ect......

Lebron has basically cruised through the weak East every year with a clear path to the finals. Had his teams been in the West he may have made one or two championship appearences tops.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I disagree. He is easily the most dominate player in the NBA right now. He is dominate at the same level Jordan and Shaq were. (ie, super elite) He lost in the NBA finals because the Warriors were just a better team than his team even with LeBron. I'm pretty sure even Jordan would have lost that finals if he instead of LeBron where on that team. Jordan had a very good supporting cast.

It didn't hurt Jordan to have one of the greatest coaches in NBA history leading his teams either.

I certainly agree with the coach part, but he only has himself to blame for that. His lack of loyalty and his affinity to jump around when it pleases him does leaves him at the mercy of whatever the coach is wherever he goes.

Jordan had Pippen and Horace Grant and who else? Like Lebron, Jordan won because he was the best and dominated the game. But still, Jordan was better.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I disagree. He is easily the most dominate player in the NBA right now. He is dominate at the same level Jordan and Shaq were. (ie, super elite) He lost in the NBA finals because the Warriors were just a better team than his team even with LeBron. I'm pretty sure even Jordan would have lost that finals if he instead of LeBron where on that team. Jordan had a very good supporting cast.

It didn't hurt Jordan to have one of the greatest coaches in NBA history leading his teams either.

It DID hurt that he disrespects his coach.
You don't do that crap.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

I cant tell you how happy I am that Lebron lost another finals. Rooting for him to lose is almost as fun as rooting for my Celtics to win.

Lebron certainly had a great playoffs and I found myself comparing him to Jordan more than I usually do. Then I watched a special yesterday on Michael Jordan. And there is no debate really. Jordan was better. No question. The things he did James simply doesnt and cannot do. And then Jordan never lost a finals either. Lebron 2-4?

His legacy may wind up being the biggest finals loser in NBA history. That would be fine with me.

For starters, when the best thing your detractors have to say is you aren't Michael Jordan, then I think you're doing pretty good for your self. Second, people really overate championship losses and by doing that, you are punishing people for winning. I would love for someone to explain why Lebron's legacy would be better viewed if he lost in the eastern conference finals those 4 years

 

[CowboyRoy]

It DID hurt that he disrespects his coach.
You don't do that crap.

Agreed, but his coaches have been pretty bad. I actually compare Spolstra in Miami to Garrett. Didnt deserve to be a head coach at the time, didnt earn it, and had to learn his way over the years. And the franchise suffered because of those growing pains. With a better coach, Lebron may have won another one in Miami. Maybe not.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I will say this, if Jordan didn't play for Phil Jackson all those years later during his career, he likely would have been disrespectful to his coaches too if they weren't proven great coaches. (as LeBron has) That said, there is no excuse for that. He is a professional and he should act like one. That's part of the reason he (LeBron) will never be the greatest.

 

[CowboyRoy]

For starters, when the best thing your detractors have to say is you aren't Michael Jordan, then I think you're doing pretty good for your self. Second, people really overate championship losses and by doing that, you are punishing people for winning. I would love for someone to explain why Lebron's legacy would be better viewed if he lost in the eastern conference finals those 4 years

Yep, Lebron is awesome and he is close to Jordan, but not Jordan. That is the point exactly. Not bad to be Lebron. As far as championship losses, its fine if you lose one or two and win 4 or 5. But when your record is 2-4 that is pretty bad. And they definitely should have beaten Dallas that year.

But it all goes back to the point of the weak Eastern Conference.

 

[DFWJC]

Kind of a no win argument here. You could have a 500 page thread and never get it resolved. Truly a matter of opinion.

My ties are pretty direct to Jordan dating back to the early 80s, so I'd have a hard time ever going against him.

But there are truly great arguments for James as well. Just not going there.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I will say this, if Jordan didn't play for Phil Jackson all those years later during his career, he likely would have been disrespectful to his coaches too if they weren't proven great coaches. (as LeBron has) That said, there is no excuse for that. He is a professional and he should act like one. That's part of the reason he (LeBron) will never be the greatest.

Yah, that is a great point. But I am sure that Jordan would have insisted that they get a real head coach.

But in my mind, the other side of the coin is that Phil Jackson lived off Jordan for his career. That guy never went anywhere where there wasnt a ready made championship team with the best players in the league on it. Accept for his tenure in NYC and he bombed it there.

Had Koby and Shaq in L.A.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Kind of a no win argument here. You could have a 500 page thread and never get it resolved. Truly a matter of opinion.

My ties are pretty direct to Jordan dating back to the early 80s, so I'd have a hard time ever going against him.

But there are truly great arguments for James as well. Just not going there.

The only thing you can say about Lebron that he does better is rebound and he is bigger. Other then that, Jordan does everything better in my opinion. Unless you can think of anything else. I guess you could argue he is a better passer. But I think if you look at some of those Jordan tapes that woudnt be the case.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Agreed, but his coaches have been pretty bad. I actually compare Spolstra in Miami to Garrett. Didnt deserve to be a head coach at the time, didnt earn it, and had to learn his way over the years. And the franchise suffered because of those growing pains. With a better coach, Lebron may have won another one in Miami. Maybe not.

That was Pat Riley pulling the strings. Riley hired Spoelstra as a puppet. Riley was pulling all the strings and directing him on what and how the game should be coached. Pat just didn't want all the day to day coaching work, so enter Spoelstra. No proven coach would have allowed Riley to run the show from upstairs.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Yah, that is a great point. But I am sure that Jordan would have insisted that they get a real head coach.

But in my mind, the other side of the coin is that Phil Jackson lived off Jordan for his career. That guy never went anywhere where there wasnt a ready made championship team with the best players in the league on it. Accept for his tenure in NYC and he bombed it there.

Had Koby and Shaq in L.A.

No doubt, I seriously doubt Jackson would have went to LA if he hadn't had Shaq and Kobe. He probably would have stayed in retirement. Shaq and Kobe >>>> Jordan and Pippen.

 

[DFWJC]

The only thing you can say about Lebron that he does better is rebound and he is bigger. Other then that, Jordan does everything better in my opinion. Unless you can think of anything else. I guess you could argue he is a better passer. But I think if you look at some of those Jordan tapes that woudnt be the case.

Many millions would disagree, but I won't side with James in any Jordan argument.
This topic has been so debated I think people don't even bother any more.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

As far as championship losses, its fine if you lose one or two and win 4 or 5. But when your record is 2-4 that is pretty bad. And they definitely should have beaten Dallas that year.

But it all goes back to the point of the weak Eastern Conference.

So had he lost in the eastern conference finals those 4 years, and had a 2-0 finals record, then it would be better?

 

[CowboyRoy]

That was Pat Riley pulling the strings. Riley hired Spoelstra as a puppet. Riley was pulling all the strings and directing him on what and how the game should be coached. Pat just didn't want all the day to day coaching work, so enter Spoelstra. No proven coach would have allowed Riley to run the show from upstairs.

Sound familiar? LOL Yah, but he suffered because Rylie couldnt tell him what to do as the game was unfolding.

 

[CowboyRoy]

No doubt, I seriously doubt Jackson would have went to LA if he hadn't had Shaq and Kobe. He probably would have stayed in retirement. Shaq and Kobe >>>> Jordan and Pippen.

Yep. And Rylie is very much that was also. Only goes somewhere to coach if the team is already championship ready. Smart no doubt if you can pull it off.