lebron james

**ddaley212** · 03-08-2010, 08:14 PM

is he the next Michael Jordan??? michael is my favorite player since i was a kid and even though he is retired i think there is no one that can replace him

**TimmyBoston** · 03-08-2010, 08:31 PM

I'm not an NBA fan so take my opinion with a grain of salt, but as great as Lebron is, I don't believe he'll be better than Michael.

**Kouros** · 03-08-2010, 08:46 PM

A better comparison is Magic Johnson.

He'll be on the Knicks next year since Nike will make him the highest paid athlete in history if he goes to New York.

**agent005** · 03-08-2010, 08:55 PM

Ive had these debates about Jordan,Lebron and Kobe before and all you end up with is 100 different opinions supporting each. The fact is, each of these guys play(ed) for different teams and in different eras. They each had/have skill sets that are amazing but they differ. If you base it on championships or mvps then you'll have to wait till their careers are over. No one will replace Jordan...but at the same point...no one will replace Lebron or Kobe either. Back to Lebron...there is no doubt that he is great and will be great......theres never been a player with his physical stature and athletic ability. I would have loved to seen Jordan in his prime go up against the likes of Lebron, Kobe, Wade...etc.

**rollsrook** · 03-08-2010, 09:04 PM

It's a tough call at this point but their early careers are very similar. Just a step away from getting over the hump (MJ's buzzer beater beating the Cavs comes to mind). LeBron's been to a finals and had a conference finals loss. Can he get over the hump this year? If LeBron does get a ring, does he go on a 2-3 year run?

Will he be better than MJ? I don't think so, unless he develops that killer instinct that Jordan has. I don't want to say had, because I think he's probably still ultra competitive. This generation of NBA players doesn't seem to have it except for Kobe. Everyone's friends and a ring doesn't seem to as much a priority as a max contract. We won't see the days of Isiah Thomas kissing Magic on the cheek before a game and then throwing a sucker punch a quarter later.
The NBA is a shell of what it was when I was a kid. Too much money and not enough hungry players. Sorry for the mini-rant....

**Fairchild86** · 03-09-2010, 12:28 AM

Its hard to say right now if Lebron James will take the place of Michael Jordan as being the greatest player ever. It would be a joke to say Lebron is better right now because he hasn't won a championship let alone seven. As far as athleticism I think Lebron has Michael beat. This man is a freak of nature don't believe me watch this . You have to take into account that Michael changed the way the game is played and for this I think I will always consider him the GOAT.

**ouch** · 03-09-2010, 06:42 AM

There's more to being an immortal than just athleticism. I recall seeing the great Connie Hawkins dunk a ball over the top of the backboard. I was initially a naysayer, but there's no doubt that Lebron is the real deal.

I used to tease my friend that at the height of his career, Michael Jordan wasn't even the highest paid athlete named Michael.

Spoiler:

**shyrlock** · 03-09-2010, 07:00 AM

Lebron has a very valid chance, if he stays on course and does not get any bad injuries.
By the way, Lebron will be playing for the Cavaliers next year and for a long time after.
Going to NY is kjust stuff the sports writers brew up to attract readers.
I have followed Lebron's career since his high school days. He is, in all ways, a champion.

**Mr_Amazing** · 03-09-2010, 07:33 AM

The answer is simple. No. Jordan did it all and did it better than everyone (except maybe blocking shots and rebounding). What is LeBron? He's more muscle and size than skill. In this day and age, muscle and sizes gets you a championship (see Shaq). Michael Jordan wasn't a physical wonder. He didn't move like a train and run you over if you got in his way. He saw what you gave him, and he worked around that. Jordan was exceptional from everywhere on the court. He perfected the fade-away. What is LeBron good at doing? He runs full force into an area and makes you get out of the way unless you want to get injured. To me, that isn't basketball. Basketball isn't about slam dunks. It's about acknowledging a strong defense and working around it. Jordan played the game the way it was supposed to be played. LeBron just followed the Shaq loophole. Kobe is the next closest to MJ and he's nowhere near the player Jordan was.

**castlecraver** · 03-09-2010, 07:50 AM

Jordan had a much better supporting cast and a much smarter coach. Lebron is stronger and a better all-around individual player. Michael was more of a pure scorer. Not sure it's a worthwhile comparison, because as much as I hate to say it, without a ring LeBron will be little more than an "also ran" with incredible stats after he retires.

I hope he stays in Cleveland. This is where he belongs. He's already an incredibly rich man. It'll be insight into his character to see if he chases the money or sticks it out for the city that made him.

**ouch** · 03-09-2010, 10:41 AM

Coming to New York would be the best thing that could happen to the league.
-a selfish fan

**rollsrook** · 03-10-2010, 05:51 AM

Originally Posted by Mr_Amazing

The answer is simple. No. Jordan did it all and did it better than everyone (except maybe blocking shots and rebounding). What is LeBron? He's more muscle and size than skill. In this day and age, muscle and sizes gets you a championship (see Shaq). Michael Jordan wasn't a physical wonder. He didn't move like a train and run you over if you got in his way. He saw what you gave him, and he worked around that. Jordan was exceptional from everywhere on the court. He perfected the fade-away. What is LeBron good at doing? He runs full force into an area and makes you get out of the way unless you want to get injured. To me, that isn't basketball. Basketball isn't about slam dunks. It's about acknowledging a strong defense and working around it. Jordan played the game the way it was supposed to be played. LeBron just followed the Shaq loophole. Kobe is the next closest to MJ and he's nowhere near the player Jordan was.

Shaq never won a title where he didn't have a Kobe or D-Wade. In Orlando he also had Penny Hardaway (no title). He was never going to win a title where he was the focal point on the team.

How old's LeBron? 24? He has time to learn a low post game.

**rollsrook** · 03-10-2010, 05:59 AM

Originally Posted by castlecraver

Jordan had a much better supporting cast and a much smarter coach. Lebron is stronger and a better all-around individual player. Michael was more of a pure scorer. Not sure it's a worthwhile comparison, because as much as I hate to say it, without a ring LeBron will be little more than an "also ran" with incredible stats after he retires.

I hope he stays in Cleveland. This is where he belongs. He's already an incredibly rich man. It'll be insight into his character to see if he chases the money or sticks it out for the city that made him.

I disagree with LeBron being a better all around player. Here's a few stats:
Defensive Player of the Year (1988); Nine-time All-Defensive First Team (1988-93, 1996-98); In addition he set records for blocked shots by a guard,[106] and combined this with his ball-thieving ability to become a standout defensive player. His 2,514 steals are the second highest total of all-time behind John Stockton, while his steals per game average is third all-time.[107] (cited from wiki).

Like I said in my earlier post, he had the killer instinct that made him the best.

**psychlopath** · 03-10-2010, 11:00 AM

Judging by the intel I got from "Drawn Together," James is the next big thing.

:)

He'll never do better than Shaq-Fu, though. Only one man in history can produce a game of such Biblical magnitude.

**Kouros** · 03-10-2010, 03:31 PM

I don't even like Jordan and I admit he was the greatest ever. He never looked bad on the court which is more than I can say for LeBoob. Staying in Cleveland will do nothing for Lebron or the NBA. It's simply not the market that LA, NY or Chicago is.

**RazoRock** · 03-10-2010, 04:05 PM

Lebron is a great player, but I wouldn't put him in the same class as MJ, yet. He will have to win a few championships before I can consider him in that class. The only player currently in the NBA I would put in MJ's class is Kobe.

**garyg** · 03-10-2010, 04:45 PM

As others have said, whether he compares career for career is yet to be written. But for all the LA, Miami, NYC blather, I am missing something .. how does the size of the city he inhabits or plays for impact the basketball? Nike won't pay him as much because he doesn't live/play in (pick someplace)?

**Wilpar76** · 03-10-2010, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by Mr_Amazing

The answer is simple. No. J

+1

Jordan did what was needed. They said he didn't have a jumper, he perfected it. They said he couldn't play defense and he became a scourge. MOST importantly, Jordan elevated the level of play from his teammates, both directly and indirectly (ask Steve Kerr if is jaw still hurts). Someone else pointed out that LeBron and several others of the same ilk, DWade, Kobe, etc, are competitive, but they are not cut throat. Yeah, they don't like to lose, but Jordan HATED to lose. Jordan is like John Elway. They said that Elway lost a game of pool at his house to Bubby Brister. Elway sold the pool table the next day because it reminded him of the loss. Jordan, Elway, Bill Russell, John Unitas, were all ultra competitors aka assassins in there respective fields, willing to do anything and everything (within the rules) to win.

**Soopercat** · 03-10-2010, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by RazoRock

Lebron is a great player, but I wouldn't put him in the same class as MJ, yet. He will have to win a few championships before I can consider him in that class. The only player currently in the NBA I would put in MJ's class is Kobe.

I wouldn't give Kobe that accolade until he wins more championships than Michael. That's how they rank each other as players. They both (kobe/Lebron) say "nice to be mentioned in the same sentence". When they see Michael face to face, they know, they just know.

Kind regards,

**agent005** · 03-11-2010, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by Mr_Amazing

The answer is simple. No. Jordan did it all and did it better than everyone (except maybe blocking shots and rebounding). What is LeBron? He's more muscle and size than skill. In this day and age, muscle and sizes gets you a championship (see Shaq). Michael Jordan wasn't a physical wonder. He didn't move like a train and run you over if you got in his way. He saw what you gave him, and he worked around that. Jordan was exceptional from everywhere on the court. He perfected the fade-away. What is LeBron good at doing? He runs full force into an area and makes you get out of the way unless you want to get injured. To me, that isn't basketball. Basketball isn't about slam dunks. It's about acknowledging a strong defense and working around it. Jordan played the game the way it was supposed to be played. LeBron just followed the Shaq loophole. Kobe is the next closest to MJ and he's nowhere near the player Jordan was.

I'll agree that Jordan (at this point in Lebrons career) is better. I differ on the fact that Lebron has only physical skills. He's proved to be clutch ( like jordan) and take over a game with not only his shooting abilities but his ability to involve his team mates. As far as stats....thus far in lebrons career he has more assists per game,bocks pers game,rebounds per game and he also has fewer shot attempts than jordan and he still averages almost 28 points per game...jordan is just a hair ahead of that. Jordan and Lebron both have a 31 percent career 3point FG percentage. Another thing...Jordans team mates hated him...thats not basketball