web123888 wrote:38 yo LeBron is probably better but doesn’t really mean much and he’s still clearly behind Jordan all time as the GOAT as his peaks was notably inferior and he accomplished less with more, and also underachieved more often.
34-35 yo Karl Malone was a lot better than both 34-35 yo Tim Duncan and Shaq but no one really cares. The latter two were far better at their best.
Post prime stuff is nice for longevity and accolades padding but means very little in the context of all time status.
ok but ftr, Duncan at age 36 was 1st team all nba, 7th in mvp and 6th in dpoy while anchoring a team that barely lost in the finals and won it all the following year. Malone may have been better if you needed a #1 scorer on your team but if you needed a def anchor and rebounder Duncan was still better. I don't think who was better between MJ& LeBron at age 38-40 matters much in comparing their careers but it doesn't need to in order to discuss it.
