If they both retired today, T Mac is a much bigger disappointment. Seriously, what T Mac hasn't been able to do his entire career is what Lebron does every year it seems. (get out of the 1st round) Don't give me that bs "role players' excuse, Lebron's Cleveland supporting cast was garbage and he took them to the finals.
I just don't agree. I think his talent is overhyped due to his ridiculous athletic ability. His footwork has gotten better, but I really don't think it's that great. He has been in the league this many years and still isn't a very good shooter. He gets open simply by jumping over and through people. Talent wise I think McGrady was a better player. However, his lack of defensive assertiveness takes away from his overall talent level.
Barkley, Karl Malone/Stockton, Ewing , they never won titles. Their careers weren't dissappointing. Like I said, I don't dislike Tracy, I think his fans overrate him and are jealous of more successful players. Think about this: Coaches for Lebron: Mike Brown, Eric Spoestra Coaches for Tracy: Doc Rivers, JVG, Rick Adelman Tracy played for some the best coaches in NBA history and he couldn't achieve anything. These guys have proven that with superstars than can get to the finals. Tracy is talented, nobody has ever disputed that. However in the NBA you need stability and stamina. Tracy has never been Ironman. LeBron is the Hulk. You need healthy and dependable guys like Tim Duncan or LeBron or Kobe to lead a franchise. Also, remember what Scott Brooks said last night "You play for each other, we're family". I think LeBron gets that and I don't think Tracy ever got that. Scott Brooks got that from being part of Clutch City, where Vernon Maxwell or Mario Elie or Kenny Smith would follow Hakeem the Dream into battle against all odds.
I keep hearing a faint "I'm not dead yet" from Lebron as you guys lament just how terrible his career's been. And he still has shot at a ring THIS year.
Ok, how about this? As a Rockets fan, you know what has happened in this timeline in this universe for the Rockets. Playing the master of the universe and time and space, would you replace Tracy with LeBron? Actually that's not even a question in my book.
No one said it's terrible... His numbers and achievements mirror all-time greats... But ther's no denying that thus far, he's underachieved in the category that means the most to critics (idiots that have jobs critiquing people that achieved what they couldn't)
As for the LeBron hate, most people point to the decision, if he just said he'd sign with Miami without having a TV special about it, then I think most of the hate wouldn't be there for him. Personally, I think LeBron has learned that he screwed up and his actions this season like going to Hakeem for help, proves that he has a desire to improve and win.
to me i think McGrady was the first coming of Lebron, amazing handles, vision and offensive and defensive ability but his body and "will" gave out on him LeBron - is everything McGrady was (maybe not as offensively skilled) but in a linebackers body that doesnt look like will be breaking down anytime soon. He does have a bit of a mental weakness like McGrady did. But I am pretty sure LeBron will go on to win a ring sometime and even if he doesn't he is still a far superior player to McGrady
The thing that separates Lebron from T-Mac is offensive efficiency, defense, and elevating teammates. You really cannot call either one a complete choker, T-Mac had those 13 points in 33 seconds, he hit several game winners, and carried his team on his back, oftentimes, especially 4th quarter. Same with Lebron, you would get the sense sometimes that Lebron's career just started with Miami or in Cleveland in the last 3 years. For most of his career during regular season, he actually was on the NBA leaders in points scored in the 4th quarter (he had no other choice in Cleveland). T-Mac was a more explosive scorer, but slightly worse at everything else across the board. LeBron has a stronger will and basketball IQ than what critics give him credit for in hind sight criticism. I could say the same about T-Mac as well. Both are Hall of Fame caliber players, easily. There would be no reason to keep Lebron off the first ballot, unless you just really dislike the guy or think rings are the most supreme things. Having a ring or not having a ring makes these arguments weird. If you have a ring, you are suddenly a better player than you were one or two years ago. If you do not have a ring you are suddenly worse than players who have one. As great Terry Bradshaw and Troy Aikman were, neither one was in the same stratosphere as Dan Marino or Dan Fouts. Eli Manning has exactly two rings now and a boat load of memorable 4th quarter comebacks. At what major elements in the game is he better than Peyton, outside of athleticism and improvisation. Honestly with Peyton, do you even need an offensive coordinator? I guess I should also not mention the part about having 4 MVPs, which pretty much signifies he's about the best player in the league (at those times). Moreover, even as QBs get alot of credit or blame, they still don't play defense. Someone has to stop the other team's offense. Even with Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, name one basketball skill or ability that Russell could best Chamberlain at. Though, some will say he still won more significant games at the right time. So was Russell better than Jabbar or Shaq. What about Hakeem "the Dream" Olajuwon? 11-2 to disparity. 11 championships. So are rings the most important criteria? People often dismiss the teams/franchises involved and base everything solely on individual effort. There's a difference between playing with 2 to 9 all-pro players versus play with 2 to 9 players who couldn't start on at least half of the other team's or worse. You can't tell me that if Steve Young spent his entire career
T-Mac was pretty good in his Toronto and Orlando days, but he faded over time. Though, I don't think he was a juggernaut on defense, like Lebron.
McGrady was a defensive player in Toronto and stopped being that once he came to Orlando -- I am not defending McGrady here he lost the drive to be a defensive player unlike LeBron - I could attribute that to he probably was never given props for that in Toronto the way LeBron gets recognition for his defense and that help him lose his motivation. But that will always be the story with Mcgrady - something he could have been, IF -- he certainly had the talent and physical gifts just never the mental drive and his body broke down on him. When he was healthy and in his prime he was still the best defender the Rockets had (even with Battier on the team) the only problem was he never could sustain it the way LeBron can and does.
That's because he was mere bench player for his first two seasons in Toronto, while he left Toronto after his 3rd season. That wasn't a great sample size. He's defense was outstanding in that 3rd season, though. Another thing to take into consideration, Lebron's much studier and takes better care of himself.
Agree with what you said however the East that year was wide open except for when they had to go threw Detroit, when the west is a grind every series. And can we please retire T-Mac's name on this site. Every week some one has a great epiphany to share!
