I love a good comparison!! Though it's obviously hard comparing eras. I am too young to fully appreciate all of Magic's greatness, I will say that. Plus, you'd be comparing Magic and the entirety of his career with about half of LeBron's. Very similiar players though, I think LeBron will be regarded as more Magic and less Jordan when it's all said and done. Kobe will be the only one in the Jordan conversation, and maybe Durant (but I kinda think he'll be a one of a kind given his size and skill set). I view LeBron as Magic with more scoring and less assists. But Magic was a true point, where LeBron is kind of a new-age hybrid of point forward. Rings matter little to me when comparing guys, which I will explain if asked. When it's all said and done though, again I am saying I didn't get to fully experience or understand the Magic era and I am projecting LBJ's future, I think LeBron will have to be considered the better player.

Consider this: Let's say LeBron wins 3 more MVPs and wins 2 or 3 titles (both good chances IMO), would it change your mind?

I just don't understand the AMOUNT of hate because of The Decision. Lebron is the player we all dreamed of. Gets team mates involved, scores, passes, defends, wants to win and turns down more money for a better team, etc. And I agree he was strangely timid and played poorly in the Finals last year, but other than that the LeBron-not-clutch is just a myth. I actually think he's really humble and a good guy too. Sorry for slobbing his knob, I just get really frustrated with the hate. Cleveland wasn't putting guys around him, and sure looking back he regrets The Decision but I think it's blown incredibly out of proportion.

By the way I jsut wanna say that the foul when Pierce fouled out last night really pissed me off. Refs have done a great job I think with not calling fouls when guys go straight up in the air on defense, but they botched that one big time.

Rings matter. If LBJ had the killer instinct I look for in ALL-TIMERS, he would have at least one championship by now (probably two). The choking rhetoric is definitely overblown, but he does shy away from the ball in key moments too often (he has been better about that this year).

The Decision hate was deserved, he should have known better. He isn't humble, but he desperately wants to appear that way. I couldn't say whether or not he's a good guy, but he probably is.

I've watched every LeBron interview and post game press conference I had a chance to watch, and I think he's pretty humble and a great interview. Then like that one time out of a few hundred where he says something with a hint of arrogance or anger, everyone is on him. Just athletes in general, I think they get a raw deal. Have a few thousand people come to your job and call you an ******* for 3 hours then try to face the national media after a loss and be gracious about it. I don't think many of us could do that.

I think last year he shied away from the ball a ton. But the other 7 or 8 years of his career he never did, and he hasn't this year either. And of course rings matter, but I think they are overblown. Sure, Kobe has 5 rings. I'm sure you love Kobe as an LA fan. But the first 3 rings were mainly because of Shaq and the ring vs the Celtics Kobe was terrible in Game 7. How many does Horry and Kerr have?? I mean, yeah it's important but it takes a team in any sport to win it. Wasn't like Jordan or Russell or Magic or Bird were playin with scrubs out there ya know.

I agree LeBron doesn't have that killer instinct. Not many really have. Jordan, Kobe..... Guys like Wilt didn't have it, he's an all-timer.

You can't be an elite athlete and not be cocky about your skillz. But yes, most of the time he is very measured and polite when he comments publicly.

Shaq wouldn't have 4 rings without Kobe. There are a number of great players without rings, but most got a shot at it (some people just get bad matchups like whomever played the Bulls in the 90s).

No one is calling Kerr/Horry HoF'ers because of their rings, there has to be some context to it.

Yep, that's why a lot people like Russell / Kareem / etc more than Wilt.

I kinda feel bad for the teams that ran into the Jordan-Bulls buzzsaw lol. Then Malone joined the Lakers and they came up short. I was never a Malone fan though, so **** him. And yeah Shaw probably wouldn't have as many rings without Kobe, but that's kinda why I don't like the rings argument. People wanna hold it against Lebron for not having rings when he didn't have the benefit of a Shaq. I don't think it's fair to argue rings when some teams are way better than others.

If Bron Bron doesn't win a few rings with Miami it will be a huge indictment on him as a player.

I meant that elite players usually get a few chances at a title, some come up big and some wilt (IE: Dirk last season).

I agree with ya, I think LeBron needs at least 2 rings in this 5 year stretch but it will never be enough in many people's eyes. I think he will get 3-4 rings when its all said and done. I think he's still got a lot of time, even when Wade starts slipping a little.

I feel bad sometimes for the role players not getting any love. I love watching Shane Battier play. The dude flat out works. Aside from me wanting LBJ to get a ring, I'd want Battier to get his first ring no matter what team he was on. I like those guys that just hustle their ass off, i think every fan watches and says "damn if i ever could be a pro athlete that's how i'd play"

BAD TEACHER: Lebron Vs Jordan clip - YouTube

I'm a big fan of Battier too, it's nice to see him actually hitting 3s lately as well.

I've got a lot of respect for him after watching him battle Kobe in the playoffs a few years back. What team doesn't need a excellent defender that can hit 3s?

I actually also think bronbron is very candid in interviewsl. Obviously he has been groomed since a young child (ala tiger woods, serena williams) so probably has had some acting coaches and public speaking classes but i think he is very candid. Pretty decent fashion taste too minus the extra thick rimmed glasses he has, with the straight brim, too much.

He spent the first couple minutes of last games press conference going at length to talk about how great rondo's play was, and i saw him compliment rondo during the game as well i believe.

He's one of the few players who look so mild scoring 30+ points you hardly notice it. He usually gets the shot he wants. Paul Pierce getting 30 points means he is using every single part of his old man game on every possession and probably still needs to get to the line.

I honestly consider Lebron one of if not the best ever already. I hate when people go to team accomplishments to judge an individual player. Anyone remember the Cavs '09 series against the Magic? One of the greatest individual performances I've ever seen and the Cavs couldn't even force a game 7. People say he doesn't show up in the playoffs, yet there's only a handful of games that they can point to. The only thing they can say is that he hasn't won a championship, which is such a flawed argument.

Love when people do this comparison. Only arguing against themselves and their own expectations and hopes for LeBron. Last year after the finals I heard a lot of "Jordan is better than LeBron" variations of jokes and insult towards LeBron, which got me thinking. I don't know one credible basketball person at virtually any level who has ever said LeBron was better than MJ lol.

Deep down, people are dissapointed and depressed that their own incredibly lofty expectations for another man have fallen short, and their frustration comes out as hate towards LeBron. Big3, I'm not even really directing that all towards you but that clip makes me think of the hoards of "LeBron isn't better than MJ!!!" idiots.


Thom Yorke, I am sure you are aware of the EPIC Pierce VS Lebron battle in the Eastern Semis Game 7. When LBJ went for 45. And probably the greatest performance ever VS Detroit in the Eastern Finals game 4 in 2007. LeBron went for 48 and scored his team LAST 25 POINTS. Caps just for emphasis how unbelievable that is. It just amazes me that people so easily forget and dismiss all the amazing and incredible things he's done.

its crazy delonte west had sex with his mom tho

that aint right

lol delonte is awesome. also freestyles in his spare time in KFC parking lots

Another great game tonight, Celts showed they wanna make this a series. They basically had to win tonight and next game to have any chance. Boston completely hinges on Rondo, I still think teams should try to play him more like a normal point guard and pressure him.

Anyone see the Heat's lineup at the end when they made that run?? With LeBron at center? That was pretty sweet and they were scoring easy but unfortunately couldn't get a rebound.

:clap::clap::clap::clap:

boston plays outstanding team ball for one half and subpar basketball the other and makes it work

i thought miami played good team ball as well actually, 29 pts for lebron i'll settle for that if im boston.

KG is a tower in this series, when lebron is out nobody is close to matching him

That was a crazy game right there.

If Wade makes the game-winner, everyone's talking about how Miami made a great comeback. Instead, it's all about how well Boston played the first half.

Fouls were obviously huge in this one. What a terrible call on that KG-LeBron double foul call.. WTF is that? Then Pietrus flops and pulls down LeBron for the 6th foul. Hate to see fouls like that influence games. Great move by Pietrus but the double foul call was huge and made no sense.

No clue what the Heat are running on game-winning chance shots. Terrible job on the last shot of regulation and Wade's greatness got him a wide open 3 point look but it just didn't go in.

Lucky win for Boston I feel, but WOW 2 great conference finals going on right now. Will any road team win!?!? I'm calling Thunder win games 5 and 6 and Miami ends up winning in 7 at this point

I thought they just reversed. Boston was unreal in the first half and Miami showed its Machine in the 2nd. I still think the officiating is god awful but I suppose I'm bias.

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Depends if you kick Battier for no reason, Rondo

wade and lebron will certainly get more help going to the line from refs in miami

ray allen production has been good, boston needs pierce to be more effective. I also think they steisma shoud get off the bench a little, another shot blocker on the floor would be good

i agree with all of that. KG has to take a lot of breaks and when he's out Miami goes right to the rim with ease.

I think Game 5 we will see Norris Cole play on Rondo a lot. He defended really nice and made a couple nice plays, even though I think Chalmers is actually a pretty good player.

Something I just thought about... What if Bosh comes back at some point??

Yeah, he's being asked to do a lot. Play center and run down court both ends early every possession. He's so crucial to how they work they're offense and defense. People say Tim Duncan is playing young for his age but i think KG deserves some recognition.

Yeah Norris was great. I'm not a fan of chalmers, i think most of his drives are easy and most of shots are open looks. Should be able to get more assists.

I think miami will not consider it unless game 7.

Still can't help but feel that home advantage is the only determining factor, and so miami will win.

KG and Duncan are both playing great and personally I love seeing the old veterans turn it on. Two years ago I didn't think Duncan had much more left, and after last year I questioned KG. Two COMPLETELY different players, but the best power forwards of our time. Great coaching too for both of them, giving them enough rest in the regular season to keep them fresh enough for the playoffs.

Here's a question for anyone following this thread: KG or Duncan? Talkin about their careers, not how good they are now. That's a tough one. (and Dirk too since he's a PF, but plays such a unique style)

I think Chalmers plays pretty good defense and is a good flopper. Hits open threes and has a few nice drives each game. I don't trust Cole as much hitting those threes but I like how Cole pressures Rondo. I hate how every team plays off Rondo so much, you gotta mix it up and defend him like a usual point guard sometimes I think. No idea why teams don't do it.

Refs were awful both ways tonight (though how they called the game in general favored Boston).

I'd much rather have Duncan. KG has mostly been a jump shooter throughout his career, and it's not like Timmy is a bad defender or anything.

Homecourt is always gonna draw this complaint.

I'd rather have Duncan also and thats no sleight on KG hes a beast also. Duncan just might be the best power forward to ever play the game. His array of moves in the post puts him above KG alone, but his rebound ability and defense are allstar level as you described.

Holy crap does San Antonio suddenly look average at best against OKC. We'll see how that Texas BBQ gets the spurs going again.

It's true there have been some bad calls so far, but the disparities in foul shots I think is more about play style than reffing. I don't think it's a coincidence that wade has been HORRIBLE from the line and nights like last night, he only makes 2 of 6 foul shots. I think him and LBJ BOTH get less aggressive when they are struggling from the line and start settling for jumpers, and naturally everyone feels more comfortable from the line when at home.

I think I'd take Duncan too but DAMN it's tough. Duncan has the best moves since Hakeem (who IMO nobody will ever be better than) and has been an absolute rock for the Spurs. They built rings around him, and KG had to go elsewhere to find success. I don't weight that real heavily though, as I've said before rings are an over rated factor in comparison discussions.

Both great defenders. Duncan more of a thicker body and better at defending guys posting up. KG is probably the best pick-and-roll defender we've seen the last 15 years with his quickness and length. It really is tough, but I think I'd go with Duncan too. He just seems to make the right play and he's always been great at drawing fouls.


I'll say it again, I'm taking Thunder tonight by 5. I think they are better than the Spurs when they play like the rabid dogs they've been playing like the last 2 games. They had the same energy earlier in the series and let a 4th quarter get away from them in San Antonio. I just think they know what this game means and will come out ferocious, and really love Sefolosha's defense and how he's played Parker.

LOL so im watching the post game press conference and papovich just made the female news reporter cry.

You won't catch it on the edited version, cuz it happened off camera but it was pretty funny. She asked him something i couldn't really make out what but she said something like "are you sure?" which made him walk out on it.

You could hear other people trying to cheer her up, "aww sweetie he's always like that"

Shouldn't be a sports journalist if you cant handle the occasional stern coach.

No big deal guys :yeah:



LOL Popovich is always a stubborn ass in interviews, especially when losing or after a loss. That's funny though, maybe she's a rookie from OKC. Getting too used to the Westbrook and Durant hipster/geek chic positivity and can't handle Pop.

Great game, Thunder deserved the win. I thought they were gonna run away with it there in the 4th. Spurs tried to flop their way back into the game and the refs weren't buying it for the most part. Bad call on that play at the end where it went off of Sefolosha. So obvious Leonard fouled him.

Thunder are just a great team, their arena will be INSANE for Game 6 and I think they will close out the series. Spurs role guys have pulled a collective Houdini and vanished. Where art thou Danny Green? Gary Neal? Matt Bonner? Thiago Splitter?

damn kudos on calling it

I thought this game was officiated surprisingly well. Even though he fouled i thought leonard played an amazing game, bright future for that dude.

I didn't like the way san antionio played tonight. It was out of their element running it through manu ginobli made everyone else stagnant.

Chicago was the team destined to play OKC, neither boston or miami has any chance of matching them

Leonard has a great future. Not a lot of rookies play D like he does, and the offensive game will just improve. Perfect guy for the Spurs and I'd never heard of him in college.

I didn't like how they played either, I thought starting Ginobili really backfired. I don't think Parker could get going like usual and then bring Ginobili in midway through the 1st quarter. They said it's the first time Ginobili scored 30 in a playoff game and Spurs lost. He was really their only consistent scoring and he played great.

But I agree with you. Even with a healthy Rose, I don't know if Bulls win the East. I envisioned an epic 7 game battle between Bulls and Heat at the beginning of the season and I've been really surprised with Boston stepping up. I don't think either is as good as OKC though. They have built a near perfect team. Amazing scorers, incredible athleticism and length, and lots of guys who can put in buckets. They don't have to just rely on 2 guys like the Heat do.

Saw on the ESPN bottom line that Bosh will be activated for Game 5 :pssst: Wonder if he will play or have an effect on the rest of the series. Heat just gotta win their home games though

Chicago wouldn't get past Miami even with Rose, it's not like anyone on their team took a big step up from last year. They don't have a good second option, Boozer vanishes from playoff games like no one else.

I doubt he plays, i think it would be too awkward trying to get him back in the flow, especially how physical the series is now.

Dwayne Wade can't keep being a no-show for the first half. It allows Boston to get settled.

If Dwayne Wade was like typical shooting guard sometimes, who could hit an occasional 3 (29% avg) miami would be a lot better. Lebron is your best rebounder but he has to take all the big shots because all dwayne can do is drive and get fouled.

Still can't see boston winning on the road though

Deng??

I don't think Boston would beat Miami either, but they play great defense and have 4 great big guys who rebound and protect the rim. Bulls do need another scorer though. I think offensively Deng is a great #3 to have, but they need a shooting guard who can knock down shots. Korver is really just a off-screens shooter and I think they need someone else who can get their own shot. I think adding Rip Hamilton was basically just adding another Korver.


I don't know how healthy Bosh really is, but I think he will see some time. And just be asked to run the pick-and-pop with LeBron. At least with Bosh out there, KG has to respect his foul line jumper. Maybe it will open up more lane for Wade and LBJ. I totally agree though about Wade on everything you said. He has been a complete no show in first halfs, and you're right if he was a more typical shooting guard they would be better off sometimes. He doesn't like the 3 and him and LeBron really don't complement each other very well on the court. Two of the best drivers in the game but both pass on open threes alot. How many possession have I seen where LeBron or Wade just stand in the corner while the other one is on the other side of the court playing isolation.

Heat need to hit their foul shots. DAMN they have been horrible. Wade and Bron both haven't hit **** from the line and you know they will be living there in Miami tomorrow night

Deng is a very good defender, slasher, and open jump shooter, but having him as your third best offensive player is questionable for a title contender. In crunch time they basically have Rose creating his shot or someone else's. That's way to easy to contain.

Yeah I hear ya. I meant Deng is basically their #2 scorer and would be a great #3 if they had someone else to fill that void. To me, Boozer and Deng are both #3 scorers and they don't have a #2 caliber guy

Contenders with superior scorers to Deng / Boozer:

Mia: LBJ / Wade / Bosh / Chalmers

OKC: Durant / Westbrook / Harden / Ibaka???

Bos: Rondo / Pierce / Garnett

SA: Parker / Ginobili / Duncan???(For the record, I think Garnett is a superior player at this point in time).

LA: Kobe / Bynum / Gasol / Artest / Sessions???

Ind: Granger / Hibbert

Mem: Z-Bo / Gasol / Conley / Mayo

I'd agree with everything except Indiana. If you're talking 2nd and 3rd best scorers, outside of Granger it's probably West and George Hill or Hibbert and I'd rather have Deng and Boozer.

I forgot West, but I think Hibbert has grown into a better scorer than either of those CHI guys.

It's pretty much a toss up to me. I am glad Indy got to play Miami in the playoffs since they never get any national games. Hibbert really impressed me. I knew with his size he would be able to protect the paint but he has a soft little jump hook and is pretty nice around the rim.

Can't help but be reminded of Haseem Thabeet when I think of Hibbert because of the similiar size and age. What a bust they guy has been. Just think if Memphis woulda drafted someone else. Literally anyone else that could contribute any amount of skills would of made them better.

Talking with Sparky in shoutbox earlier, I'm excited to see the Nets next year

http://www.underconsideration.com/br..._nets_jayz.jpg