Couldn't have put it better myself. People put too much emphasis on the Championships someone has instead of the overall skill and performance of the person. Although 99% of the time, the skill of that person leads to a championship, but that shouldn't be the main focus in my opinion. LJ makes a good point with the comparison of Rings vs Performance. Same thing goes with coaches, imo. Most of the time it's a judge of what they accomplish, but it's also on the players. It's a mutual relationship. Can't expect coaches to get championships if their players suck, but you can't say they're bad coaches on that basis. With the logic of most now-a-days, everyone should pick up Pau Gasol over Lebron.
Jordan knows LeBron is his biggest threat to "take over" that #1 spot. I agree with LeBron on this one.
I think LeBron is the best player in the league, by far, but I'm going to defend Jordan because I think his comments were kind of taken out of context. He did say that LeBron was the most dominant player in the game today. But Jordan is all about what you do in the big moments, like when the game is on the line or in a championship series. From that standpoint, he probably saw LeBron and Kobe as being very close but gave the edge to Kobe because of the championship pedigree. Also, you have to understand where Jordan is coming from. I mean, he probably feels like he was a better player in his mid-30s when he was more Kobe-like then in his athletic prime (late 20s) when he was more dominant and LeBron-like. He values the mental aspect of the game and edge that comes with many years of championship experience probably more than most.
If rings meant everything, Derek Fisher would rank higher than: -John Stockton -Oscar Robertson -Jason Kidd -Gary Payton -Steve Nash -Rondo -D Will -CP3 -Parker etc
Too much is being made of this. Jordan used to slight Kobe according to Laker fans. Kobe has been around a long time and paid his dues so Jordan favors the vet. Also it is a pat answer, doesn't address the actual performance of the players. Whole thing is silly because Jordan would beat both of them.
Lebron is better than Jordan. But Jordan was "clean," as far as we know. Lebron, I have my doubts about. Therefore, I say that with an *.
Lebron just owned MJ. Jordan has been regarded as te beat player of all time formao long now. Imagen how un would feel if they told u ur reign is over.
bron needs to win like the next 3 in a row bc once he gets over 30, i think his career is gonna fall pretty far and that's why he wont over take Jordan. He relies on pure athleticism and strength. Once that speed and jumping ability is gone, will he build an unstoppable post game? I doubt it. But, i agree with Bron on what he said. Bron is better than Kobe. "it's the situation you're in, the team you're (on) and the timing as well." Couldn't have said it better myself. Put Bron on the Lakers and Kobe on the Cavs and we wouldn't be having these discussions.
I think it's unfair to compare the two since Lebron is at his prime while Kobe is almost done with his basketball career. For the moment, Kobe is the better player, because he has accomplished more clutch games and key moments. I hope you old timers haven't forget the times when Kobe has wowed us and showed us why he's one of the greatest players of all time throughout his career, because I certainly haven't.
Lebron is the best player in the league by far, it isn't even close. When the GM that drafted Kobe said Lebron was better than him like 3 yrs ago, that means the gap has gotten even bigger now.
Exactly. LeBron right now is at the top of his game, while Kobe is on the decline. It's like comparing Shaq to Dream in the late-90's, early 2000's.
Can't deal in extremities... Lebron is right that rings do not define a career, but anybody saying that rings don't have much emphasis are wrong as well. It doesn't matter how great you are, if you don't get it done and win championships, your legacy rightfully should be tarnished. People like Charles Barkley and John Stockton are obviously great, and are considered some of the best players of all time, but there is no doubt that they are lowered in the all time ranks for not being able to get it done. Lebron needs more rings if he's going to truly pass up Jordan, but he's still close to him regardless if he wins more rings or not.
