Better player: 2008 LeBron or 2009 Wade?

1993Playoffs · Post #1 » by **1993Playoffs** » Thu Mar 7, 2024 5:58 pm

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AEnigma · Post #2 » by **AEnigma** » Thu Mar 7, 2024 6:38 pm

Roughly on par (much like with peak Kobe by comparison). 2008 Lebron probably the less reliable postseason scorer, but whether that makes him “worse” is more about team and opponent context because both he and Wade were pretty similar in their scoring approaches and Lebron would have an edge as a defender and as a pure passer (playmaking debatable).

1993Playoffs · Post #3 » by **1993Playoffs** » Thu Mar 7, 2024 6:56 pm

AEnigma wrote:Roughly on par (much like with peak Kobe by comparison). 2008 Lebron probably the less reliable postseason scorer, but whether that makes him “worse” is more about team and opponent context because both he and Wade were pretty similar in their scoring approaches and Lebron would have an edge as a defender and as a pure passer (playmaking debatable).

How close would you say their “actual” defensive impact was? I think Wade made all defensive 2nd team but Lebron didn’t make it 2008

Matt15 · Post #4 » by **Matt15** » Thu Mar 7, 2024 7:06 pm

I trust Wade more in the post season so I go with him.

AEnigma · Post #5 » by **AEnigma** » Thu Mar 7, 2024 7:11 pm

Wade was also a guard and therefore competing with other guards.

2008 Lebron was not quite defensive peak Lebron, but if he and Wade are both positioned as shooting guards, I expect the team with shooting guard Lebron to be better defensively. At point guard, maybe it is a bit more of a debate, but all else being equal, Lebron being so much bigger makes him much more versatile.