Barkley comparing LBJ VS MJ on open court

[Shot_Swatter]

Barkley is out of his mind. There may very well be a player someday who will supersede Jordan's accomplishments and be hailed as the greatest to ever play the game. But let's get it straight. That player is not and never will be Lebron. Several reasons, and I'll list a few to start:

1. Lack of offensive skill set. MJ was a significantly better jump shooter and low post scorer. 1993 Finals: averaged 41pts/gm

2. Ringzzz! Enough said.

3. Tainted reputation due to 'The Decision', nationwide hate, and teaming up a top 5 player in my man DWade.

4. Questionable ability to close games. Being clutch was one of Jordan's trademarks, and an essential part of any great player's game. In spite of Lebron's Finals MVP, his ability to score late in games will forever be suspect.

5. Hairline. Come on home Lebron.

Just kidding on that last one, but those hairline jokes simply never seem to get old.

[Pimpwerx]

Barkley is out of his mind. There may very well be a player someday who will supersede Jordan's accomplishments and be hailed as the greatest to ever play the game. But let's get it straight. That player is not and never will be Lebron. Several reasons, and I'll list a few to start:

1. Lack of offensive skill set. MJ was a significantly better jump shooter and low post scorer. 1993 Finals: averaged 41pts/gm

2. Ringzzz! Enough said.

3. Tainted reputation due to 'The Decision', nationwide hate, and teaming up a top 5 player in my man DWade.

4. Questionable ability to close games. Being clutch was one of Jordan's trademarks, and an essential part of any great player's game. In spite of Lebron's Finals MVP, his ability to score late in games will forever be suspect.

5. Hairline. Come on home Lebron.

Just kidding on that last one, but those hairline jokes simply never seem to get old.

1. Bron can score as well as MJ did, he just chooses to pass a lot more. His skillset is as deep as anyone's. His post game is really the only thing that needs further development.

2. Dumb argument. See Horry, Russell, etc.

3. Old news. See this Summer. He's already in the GOAT conversation from HoFers like CoachK and Barkley, after just 1 ring. Winning changes everything and has already.

4. Lebron has won more games to this point than Jordan did. What does clutch matter when you simply know how to win better? PEACE.

[Dieselbound&Down]

Lebron has a top 3 peak of all time. Jordan has a top 2 peak that coincided with a minimum of three championships. We've established their impact is comparable, now Lebron has to win multiple championships while continuing to be dominant in order to fulfill these lofty comparisons.

I don't put too much stock into the previous blemishes on his resume because he has a long career ahead of him with untapped potential, even now.

He does have a lot of career left and the potential to add a lot more hardware which is going to be necessary to pass Jordan. If he does have 8 more years, he may need 3-4 more rings or several losses in which he plays absurdly well and his team gets beat in spite of this. It could happen but we'll have to wait and see.

He will need that extra hardware to cover up the blemishes that are there. He went to one finals with Cleveland and they were easily swept. Not a very good Cleveland team (top of east was relatively poor for most of the last decade) but they weren't competitive and Lebron had a small dip in production. Second finals, Lebron played well below his expectations, was convincingly outplayed by a teammate and his team was upset by a lightly respected team that finished third in their conference. Lebron took the brunt of the criticism for his team losing the finals and he looked like a beaten man at the end of that year. This was on the heals of the Decision which does color how he is perceived. And in these types of beauty contests, perception does count.

MJ, while he has his flaws as a person, was pretty spotless as an intangible winner. He was never outplayed by a teammate, never had a "bad" series that cost his team the title and never looked like a tentative, beaten player on the floor. He strung together massive games and memorable efforts. I don't think Lebron can ever overtake Jordan in the intangibles department. He can do his best to make it close, though, while still piling on statistical dominance.

My opinion, obviously, but did want to add my thoughts. It will be interesting if Lebron wins 3 titles in the next 5 years, Lebron being absolutely dominant for stretches, to see where this discussion ends up as time and winning do tend to heal all wounds. (See Kobe Bryant around 2005 and his legacy now)

[maljanNBAfan]

One thing I think will never get appreciated as Woolyy mentioned, the completely horrible team Lebron led to the BEST record in the NBA multiple times and to an NBA finals. It really does not register with my brain. It's like ejecting steroids into an entire baseball team, automatically making them all better and contenders. But in this case the steroids are Lebron James leading your team.

Derrick Rose led a decent / mediocre roster to a best record in the NBA twice, he gets ALL the praise in the world and an MVP. Lebron does one move the fans do not like? Everyone forgets the amazing feats he achieved. As a basketball fan first, it REALLY bothers me.

LeBron literally should be the reigning MVP 4x in a row IMO. Nobody wanted LeBron to win anything his first year in Miami.

I'll bet that they give LBJ the MVP this year. No doubt.

[LeChosen1]

Lebron lost his fire, its over guys............>...>...>>.>>.>.>..>>>>>>.>.>.>>.>>>>.>>.>>.>>>>>...>>>>....>..>>..>>..>>>>>..>.>>.>