top 15 for sure im thinking, top ten possibly and top 5 maybe. Top 3 if he's lucky, you got to remember that a lot of popularity and memory will fade once he's out of the league. In the end most likely top 10 or 15.
This is so subjective .... everyone has a differing opinion of who's the greatest today - Some would argue MJ , others Wilt and still others Oscar or Magic. The true sign of greatness is when a player can change the way the game is played .... I really think Lebron has affected change. Where he belongs in the conversation of the alltime greats has yet to be completed. One thing I can say with certainty is that Ive never seen a player like Lebron in my ~40 years of watching the NBA. The guy handles and passes like a point , shoots like a top tier SG , has the hops of a high flying SF and is able to out muscle guy's like a PF ..... he's the entire package. If I were to say he was the most dynamic player Ive ever seen play , it couldnt be far from the truth. I can only think of one guy who is able to do all the things he does on the court and thats .... Magic. I hate the guy for one reason .... He aint a Houston Rocket.
As for my vote , I put him in the top 20 , not because I dont think he belongs higher , but because such a list is so subjective. An arguement could be made for many players over the 63 year history of the NBA.
I think top fifteen with at least six more highly productive seasons remaining. At age 27 and 9 seasons in the league Lebron projects to be in the top tier of the NBA elites. Currently he is not in the top 30 in any total category. He starts getting into those categories in approx two years. There were many other greats who had similar potential greatness but never made it. Elgin Baylor for example was a dominating figure until a knee injury in his 6th or 7th season. Without that injury he should be considered the greatest SF of all time. Currently most consider Bird to hold that title. If Lebron's career should end short he would currently be statistically behind Bird, Erving, English, Havlicek, Baylor, Pierce, Reggie Miller, and Dominque at the small forward position.
MJ Magic Wilt Kareem Bird Kobe Russel Hakeem Lebron Duncan He hasn't passes Kobe yet, and I don't know if he will. Will never be top 5 unless he wins about 2+ more titles.
IMO Lebron has not passed Kobe yet. He wins one ring and now everyone thinks he is top 5. MJ:6 rings Magic: 5 rings Wilt: 2 rings Kareem: 6 rings Bird: 3 rings Kobe: 5 rings Russel: 11 rings Hakeem: 2 rings Duncan: 4 rings Shaq: 4 rings Lebron: 1 ring You got to have rings to male it big. If Lebron only retires with 1 ring, I say he'll be kept out of the top 10. If he wins 3, I say he'll be about #8-9. He has to win many times to prove he is top 5. Right now? Top 20.
Seriously? He hasnt lived up to expectations?? He has surpassed expectations! Thats whats so funny about LeBron haters... They ignore the fact that he has lived up to the imposiible expectations that they themselves set for him! Right now hes top 5, by the end of his career, there will be a never ending debate. LJ or MJ. I dont believe he will be better than MJ but he'll be right there with him!
"Lebron will never be great without a ring" *lebron wins a ring* "Lebron will never be great without at least 3 rings" lol, LeBron haters are embarrassing
I'm not a Lebron hater. But, he is still not as good as Kobe, Bird etc. He won 1 championship with GREAT help. He is not top 5 now. Maybe in the future. But my point is, if you look at the top 10, to be a top 10 great you have to win multiple rings. Lebron is not even close to top 5 now. He's not better than MJ, Magic, Bird, Wilt, Russel, Kareem, Kobe, Hakeem, Duncan, Shaq right now. Maybe in the future, but not right now.
My point is not "Whoever wins the most rings is the best". My point is "Lebron is top 15 right now. But, if you look at the top 10 they achieved the pinnacle of greatness multiple times. All of the players I mentioned had a similar theme; they all won the championship multiple times. If Lebron wins a few more he will be great. But, how can Lebron surpass all these players with only one ring??? The players are just too good and achieved too much in the Finals and won too many rings for Lebron to surpass them with only one ring."
With the Dynasty Pat Riley is building do you really think LeBron will only get 1 ring? I see him easily getting 6-7 rings in Miami, possibly more.
lol at "GREAT help". Did you see his numbers in the playoffs? Someone with great help doesn't have to do that much to win. Wade and Bosh were hurt most of the playoffs.
Top 10. I dont think it is fair that you guys base a player's greatness on his team's success. All that does is form more super teams. What if a great player like Hakeem never had good players next to him during his prime years? He would request a trade, which he did. If fans assessed greatness on individual talent the NBA would be better off. All that matters is did he win a championship? And that's why the Lakers will win this year in my opinion.
