Alright well.. stuff brewing up in the Magic-Cavs series thread.. thought I'd bring it here so they can get back on topic. I know this has prob been discussed a billion times.. thought after game 2, people have some opinions they'd like to add. Here are some of my opinions of LeBron vs. MJ... Discuss....
HE BEAT THE MAGIC AT HOME TO TIE THE SERIES 1-1 AT HOME!!!! AT ****ING HOME AGAINST STAN VAN GUNDY! NICE ACCOMPLISHMENT SHOW ME RINGS
Much too early to actually compare the two players' greatness. Certainly he has the best shot of reaching that level and surpassing it but he'll have to accomplish a whole lot more in the rest of his career to be legitimately compared with MJ. That said, LBJ is AMAZING!
Difference is.. LeBron had a cake walk in 07 to the finals.. First two rounds of the playoffs for him were a given.. against a depleted Wizards team.. and then against a banged up Nets team.. Pistons series was the only series I felt LeBron was even challenged.. he got through it.. but you could tell in the Finals.. when they got swept.. they weren't really meant to be there.
Looking at their first 6 seasons in the NBA, LeBron compares quite well with MJ. As stated in another thread, Michael Jordan didn't become MJ until he won 2-3 championships. LeBron has a long way to go, but he's definitely capable of being as good as MJ. The way he's stepped up his game with the vast improvement in his outside shooting and defense is impressive.
The way people bring up "the rings" you would think MJ was winning Championships since his Rookie year.
Few remember that Jordan's Bulls... 1) Didn't reach the playoffs the first year. 2) Were swept by the Celtics the following two years in the first round. 3) Were dismantled by the Pistons the following two years in the second round/ ECF. 4) Finally pushed the Pistons to seven but still lost in the ECF. You can argue about the strength of the teams, but other then the Bad Boy Pistons and Bird's Celtics...I don't feel like the EC was THAT tough back then. Jordan's playoff legacy was very much in question his first six years and I think Lebron fares slightly better in this category. Not saying he will be the GOAT, but Lebron has a better chance then pretty much everyone else and he's right on track.
I think they bring up the rings because its really hard to do.. honestly.. as great as Shaq has been over this decade and his success.. he got to 4... and probably will stay at 4 unless he gets traded elsewhere... It's just something thats really hard to do, people over look it sometimes...
as i said before. lebron is not near jordans level yet. he has the abilty to get close but right not its not even close. but he his doing a lot with less lebron does not have a scottie pippen. lebrons 2nd option is Mo Williams...like seriously? mike brown vs. phil jackson...like seriously? stat for stat. lebron is just not as efficient as jordan and probably will never be. in jordans entire career he shot .497 from the field (which would be higher if you take away his wizards days). jordans rookie year he shot .515 from the field!!! please stop thee comparisons because ya'll are belittling a great player like lebron. lebron is lebron and jordan is jordan. /
I agree with that but I'm just saying, if you look at them through their 1st 6 years you could make a case for LeBron having the better career at that point. Fact is MJ never got out the 1st round without Pippen. Fact is LeBron has never had a Pippen type player beside him.
...good catch. The Bulls finished the season 38–44,[22] and lost in the first round of the playoffs in four games to the Milwaukee Bucks. Not really much better though.
The day Lebron receives less treatment and is called for at least half of his travels andplays against hall of famers, is the day I'll put him up next to MJ.
Yeah by stats.. but by achievements.. that's what makes players the best of their sport. Wilt and Kareem are probably statistically the greatest of all time as players.. but more people look at success and those awards and achievements, I think that's why you can't say that even if LeBron is having a better start to his career that he will end up as great as MJ. Different era's.. you can't just say MJ never got outta the first round without Pippen and LeBron single handedly did without another role player..
