Can LBJ be the TB12 of the NBA?

[GOATcards]

In the GOAT-of-GOATs are argument, I don't know how you overlook the fact that MJ's (teams') 6 rings, as well as his scoring titles, MVP shares, etc., are despite all his retirement-time.

I guess if you were going to do a preliminary ranking of the top GOAT-of-GOAT candidates, though, TB might well be the top candidate. He does get credit for leading teams to titles very late in his career (after age 35, say) when an argument might be made that - as might be made with MJ - that he didn't have anything more to prove. (As for MJ's supposedly declining skills by '98 . . . relative to the league scoring at the time, was his 29-PPG average - still leading the league - significantly weaker than in his preceding seasons?)

[imbluestreak23]

LeBron's body is built to sustain the wear and tear of age.

Having said that, he will have to have a super team to win chips as he always has.

[Gem10collection]

Originally Posted by imbluestreak23

LeBron's body is built to sustain the wear and tear of age.

Having said that, he will have to have a super team to win chips as he always has.

Totally agree with this and love the vids! SGC is no bueno!

I just think it's a possibility that LBJ can do something similar in the NBA as TB12 did in the NFL. If so, he will own ALL the records for the regular and postseason and just one more title added would make a huge difference to his legacy.

One thing, forever people said my man Joe "cool" Montana was the GOAT for being perfect in the Super Bowl (4-0 with NO interceptions). But, as Brady kept going back and going back to the big dance and bulking up the stat sheet... well... let's just say no one call Montana the GOAT anymore.

[luke1014]

I could see LeBron breaking Kareem's career scoring record. But I think that's far from being the Tom Brady of basketball.

[tennelson55]

Originally Posted by rifleman69

Lebron won't play as a role player...once he's done being "The Guy", he's done as an active player.

Google passing the torch to AD. LeBron pubically declared he wanted AD to be the focal point of the offense. AD can't take the mantel yet; and personally I don't think he's the next mantel bearer for the Lakers. I don't see him as "the guy."


I don't think LeBron has any intention of quiting once he's done being "the guy." His play hasn't changed much, but he wants Bronny in the NBA and probably as a Laker. He'll stick around to try and get Bronny on the team; which leads me to say he won't be done for several more years and I don't see him being the guy 3/4 years from now

[Kobe101]

Originally Posted by Hilton

4. Never gonna be the G.O.A.T. that belongs to that guy that wore #23 for the Chicago Bulls.

I agree Jordan 6-0 finals record>Lebron pathetic 4-6 finals record.[/QUOTE]

Exactly! No one will ever do what Jordan did play 6 seasons and go to the finals every year and win it all!

[BC81]

Originally Posted by imbluestreak23

LeBron's body is built to sustain the wear and tear of age.

Having said that, he will have to have a super team to win chips as he always has.

Lebron to recruit this prospect for his superteam to replace Schroder and his dreadful shooting:

https://youtu.be/7j2UPUcsm_4


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SupermanBrandon]

Originally Posted by BC81

Lebron to recruit this prospect for his superteam to replace Schroder and his dreadful shooting:

https://youtu.be/7j2UPUcsm_4

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

and the MLB can't figure out how to call balls and strikes consistently.

[eastbayak]

Originally Posted by Kobe101

I agree Jordan 6-0 finals record>Lebron pathetic 4-6 finals record.

Exactly! No one will ever do what Jordan did play 6 seasons and go to the finals every year and win it all![/QUOTE]

Well, no one will be as lucky as Jordan to have a top 50 NBA teammate with such a team-friendly contract (see Pippen's salary below). Just focusing on the second 3-peat, Pippen made a cumulative total of less than $8 mil (6th-8th seasons too). Even Luc Longley ($3,184,900) made more than Pippen in 97-98...

2004/05 Chicago Bulls $5,408,700 ($7,350,272*)
2003/04 Chicago Bulls $4,917,000 ($6,900,314*)
2002/03 Portland Trail Blazers $19,727,524 ($28,269,574*)
2001/02 Portland Trail Blazers $18,083,564 ($26,190,385*)
2000/01 Portland Trail Blazers $13,750,000 ($20,560,955*)
1999/00 Portland Trail Blazers $14,795,642 ($22,949,892*)
1998/99 Houston Rockets $11,000,000 ($17,397,343*)
1997/98 Chicago Bulls $2,775,000 ($4,462,798*)
1996/97 Chicago Bulls $2,250,000 ($3,701,616*)
1995/96 Chicago Bulls $2,925,000 ($4,944,630*)
1994/95 Chicago Bulls $2,225,000 ($3,875,664*)
1993/94 Chicago Bulls $3,075,000 ($5,489,790*)
1992/93 Chicago Bulls $3,425,000 ($6,297,822*)
1991/92 Chicago Bulls $2,770,000 ($5,250,718*)
1990/91 Chicago Bulls $765,000 ($1,518,204*)

[Soxfanguy]

I thought they didn’t have a cap back then though?

[eastbayak]

Originally Posted by Soxfanguy

I thought they didn’t have a cap back then though?

The point I was trying to make was that Jordan's situation was highly favorable. Pippen was one of the top talents of his time and grossly underpaid. Had he been paid market rate, the Chicago Bulls would've been a different (likely inferior) team.

[rhigh2390]

Originally Posted by eastbayak

The point I was trying to make was that Jordan's situation was highly favorable. Pippen was one of the top talents of his time and grossly underpaid. Had he been paid market rate, the Chicago Bulls would've been a different (likely inferior) team.

It was definitely favorable, but outside of Jordan, other superstars still made between $4-10 mil/year. I'm sure the Bulls would have paid it so I don't think it changes the team at all. There was no luxury tax and teams were allowed to go over the cap when signing their own players.

[Gem10collection]

Thread is aging somewhat well. Let's see if LA can make a run with the new squad.

Westbrick was an anchor on this team!!

[Hellcat]

Originally Posted by Gem10collection

Thread is aging somewhat well. Let's see if LA can make a run with the new squad.

Westbrick was an anchor on this team!!

Aging well in what way?! He will never be on Brady’s level so curious what you mean.

[6celtics33]

This is where I’d defend Lebron some.

He is the Brady of the nba in that he’s played at a high level forever and everywhere he goes seems to become at least in the mix and relevant.

Also, the career numbers from such a career will be hard to catch by anybody. They both take good care of their bodies.

[packman80]

Originally Posted by 6celtics33

This is where I’d defend Lebron some.

He is the Brady of the nba in that he’s played at a high level forever and everywhere he goes seems to become at least in the mix and relevant.

Also, the career numbers from such a career will be hard to catch by anybody. They both take good care of their bodies.

NBA is also the most soft sport in pro sports. To point that no one plays D and can't touch anyone. LeBron benfits from having huge numbers because of this. You flip Jordan and LeBron in these era Jordan is even more dominate player. LeBron is just a good above average guy because he can't play D and would not have the numbers with players playing him hard and his flopping would not work.

[sportzluvr1]

LOL, Tom Brady and it's not really that close.

[sportzluvr1]

LeZedong James may be closer to Wayne Brady than Tom Brady.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Hellcat

Aging well in what way?! He will never be on Brady’s level so curious what you mean.

True, LeBron isn't a cheater. LeBron is the Jerry Rice of the NBA.

Tom Brady=Barry Bonds=Lance Armstrong.

[hermanotarjeta]

If you are talking about on-screen acting skills, I think this is pretty accurate.

In terms of on the court/field acting, Leflop wins in a landslide.

[mikejones]

Leflop, lecheat, lescrub, lecry, lequit, lenoob, lebald, leweak, Lesoft,

Oh, and Sports in general has become soft that's why guys like Brady and lebron can play until their 40s.

[cboog3105]

Originally Posted by mikejones

Leflop, lecheat, lescrub, lecry, lequit, lenoob, lebald, leweak, Lesoft,

Oh, and Sports in general has become soft that's why guys like Brady and lebron can play until their 40s.

LeHGH

[Gem10collection]

Lakers look good and might be even better next year.

[GOATcards]

just the necro'd thread this group needed at this very moment

[GOATcards]

Originally Posted by GOATcards

In the GOAT-of-GOATs are argument, I don't know how you overlook the fact that MJ's (teams') 6 rings, as well as his scoring titles, MVP shares, etc., are despite all his retirement-time.

I guess if you were going to do a preliminary ranking of the top GOAT-of-GOAT candidates, though, TB might well be the top candidate. He does get credit for leading teams to titles very late in his career (after age 35, say) when an argument might be made that - as might be made with MJ - that he didn't have anything more to prove. (As for MJ's supposedly declining skills by '98 . . . relative to the league scoring at the time, was his 29-PPG average - still leading the league - significantly weaker than in his preceding seasons?)

even 2 years ago I was making these dumb points/questions