Smh. He just beat the best Western conference team. The greatest team record wise of all time and arguably the greatest team historically speaking.
My opinion of LeBron didn't change. I think when all is said and done, he'll be #2 or #3 all time. But for all his individual talents, he cannot win without at least two other borderline superstars.
I both agree and disagree with this post. I think Lebron absolutely deserves consideration in the GOAT conversation - I have him in the top 5 easily and he hasn't shown a ton of signs of slowing down, so there's not really a ceiling to where he could end up. I think beating any of the top 3 (maybe top 4 if the Clips were healthy) teams in the west would require Herculean efforts from both Kyrie and Lebron. That level of play from 2 guys in 2 straight series seems improbable, so I actually agree that they likely wouldn't have made it out of the West.
Who was already pushed to their limits in 7 games being down 3-1 against Durant and Westbrook. Not like the Warriors were the Warriors of the regular season all playoff long until they ran into LeBron or something.
While CAVS were relatively fresh after beating up garbage in the EAST. It's absolutely grueling coming out of the WEST and of course the injury buy finally hit them this post season. But, that's no excuse since Cleveland had no Love or Irving, and nearly every Western conference PG was missing last year.
It's okay to dislike something/someone, just don't let your personal feelings get in the way of facts. In his playoff career since making his first Finals, he's lost to more WC teams than East, and has been more challenged by WC than East. No way does he make all those Finals appearances in the West. True, but a little skewed.... Yes, the Cavs were the league's worst team immediately after he left, BUT, that CLE team had major injuries. Jamison, Mo Williams, and Verajao all missed half the season.
It's silly when people bring that up. The CAVS were clearly tanking for a top pick as is the smart strategy after a future HOF'er leaves your team. Their #1 pick was actually from the Clippers. Their own pick was the #4 pick they used on TT.
There's no argument lol. Lebron IS better than Bird. He was prior to the 3rd ring. Lebron now is in the top 5 all time. I would put him #2 or 3, but it's debatable with him and Kareem after MJ. The rest of his career is about cementing the 2nd spot. He can't surpass MJ after the 2011 debacle though unfortunately.
Kyrie and Love weren't all-stars this year. And clearly they aren't considered superstars either (Kyrie not yet despite his performance this playoffs). So yes, he can win without stars.
Personally, I try to think of it like this; if you replaced Lebron with XXX player...would the outcome be the same? I don't see players like Kobe or Garnett running down Igoudala at the end with an all world block, while averaging nearly a triple double during the finals. Hell, Kobe was lucky to make a shot in game 7 of his last finals. This Cavs team...in the crap east, might not even have made it to the playoffs...especially with Love's disappointing play this season. 16/10 on 41% (even worse in the playoffs)for a near max player? Damn the bar is being set low these days...
I no longer vote in non-public polls, except those made by Clutch (make all polls public!!), but as to the topic, the series certainly gave a large boost to my own personal opinion of Mr. James. He stepped up, and stepped up big on the largest stage in basketball. He was clutch. I can't give much higher praise than that. I'm sure he grew up dreaming of someday having a series like that. The dream came true, and we got to see a hell of a series.
I'm 45 and my 1st experience at watching hoops was 78-79. I didnt see Kareem,Wilt,Oscar ,Logo, or others in the prime. From my eyes, he's neck and neck with Jordan. Thing is, just like Elway, I look at who he lost with vs who he won with. Those early Jordan teams were as bad as those early Cavs teams, yet, those teams were winning 38 games, not going to the finals. Magic came in with the 5 time mvp, an nba champion in wilkes and had the ex mvp coming off the bench. The only guy to do more with less was Hakeem in 94.
Jordan was losing to the prime Celtics 2X, the Bucks with 3 all stars and the Bad Boy Pistons. His other loss being Shaq and Penny. With the exception of losing to the Bucks his rookie year, every team that ever beat a Michael Jordan Bulls team played in the NBA Finals.
