How many years of prime Lebron do you think he has in him

[toodles23]

I really don't have any idea how much longer Lebron has in his prime, or as an impact player - nobody predicted that he'd look so slow and unathletic in 2011, but he did.

Physically, the only decline Lebron seems to have had since the start of his stint in Miami is his stamina. Athletically, he was quicker and more explosive in 2014 than he'd been since his last season as a Cav - the weirdest thing about his Miami tenure was that his athleticism got better each season.

I doubt he has a fast decline but I wouldn't be surprised if KD has overtaken him. ( I thought Durant was better last season including playoffs).

KD had a better regular season, but Lebron blew him out of the water in the playoffs.

[Dupp]

I completely disagree about the playoffs. Durant had the toughest run possible in the playoffs and played really well and came up big and got them over the line in two series they were completely out played. Lebron didn't have good competition really until the finals.

[Ballerhogger]

I'm going say 4 years for sure. Maybe 5.

[Benedict Miller]

Saw a small decrease in stamina last year that took away from his defensive impact. But I'd say 3-4 years on being on top of his game.

[SJSF]

His longevity will depend on injuries to his legs. But honestly he isn't old but he is logging up the miles. McGrady came into this league at 18 also but due to injuries was shot by early 30s. I would say 3-4 years.

[N8isScofield]

i think the point is many people fear(we) or hope(everyone else) that he will age like Steve Francis,Dwyane Wade or someone like that

he wont

sure his athletism will decrease at some point

but he is still totally underrated in terms of BBIQ and skills

-he has a better jumpshot than Kobe or Jordan ever had and still people say he wont age as well
-he can be the best Post Player in the Leauge if he decides to
-he will never lose his strenght so he will still bully people around the rim until he retires
-he will never lose his passing

i think he has 4 or 5 absolute peak years left

but he has a good shot at still being the best player in the NBA 2 or even 3 years after that

If that were the case he'd have 2 more rings than he does. Either you're about 12 years old or delusional. Both Kobe and Michael were better jump shooters than Lebron.

[Johnny Firpo]

6-7

That's not realistic. Playing at an MVP level at 37, i don't think anyone did it in NBA history. Maybe Kareem? Lebron is a perimeter player with tons of mileage on him, i'd say he has 3-4 years of "prime level" impact in him, and can have a very productive 2-3 years after that.

[Johnny Firpo]

If that were the case he'd have 2 more rings than he does. Either you're about 12 years old or delusional. Both Kobe and Michael were better jump shooters than Lebron.

2012/2013 and 2013/2014 Lebron was definitely a better three point shooter than any version of the above two. MJ was definitely a better mid range shooter, so he would have a case, but i have no doubt in my mind that last season's Lebron was a better jumpshooter than Bryant at any point during his career. I mean, the numbers are not lying, 60+% EFG? Kobe barely sniffed 50% twice in his career. Just look up the shoot charts, it's a no contest.

[SwishMaster90]

I doubt he has a fast decline but I wouldn't be surprised if KD has overtaken him. ( I thought Durant was better last season including playoffs).

I sure hope you are not referring to the playoffs that has just passed. LeBron was out of this world in efficiency and I thought his 3-pt shot was really good for a SF at his size. Durant was a little disappointing at times because during the season he relied heavily on foul calls and he really wasn't getting those in the playoffs. I felt like Westbrook was kinda better than him at times even Reggie Jackson saved them.

[Dupp]

Reggie did save them in one game it's true but Durant was great against much much tougher competition. Lebron was great against the spurs but could have done more, seemed gassed.

[antistrat]

If that were the case he'd have 2 more rings than he does. Either you're about 12 years old or delusional. Both Kobe and Michael were better jump shooters than Lebron.

They're better midrange jump shooters, but not by too much. LeBron is easily a better three point shooter than Jordan and he has a higher career 3pt% than Kobe, though Kobe is obviously a good three point shooter as well.

[Dupp]

If that were the case he'd have 2 more rings than he does. Either you're about 12 years old or delusional. Both Kobe and Michael were better jump shooters than Lebron.

2012/2013 and 2013/2014 Lebron was definitely a better three point shooter than any version of the above two. MJ was definitely a better mid range shooter, so he would have a case, but i have no doubt in my mind that last season's Lebron was a better jumpshooter than Bryant at any point during his career. I mean, the numbers are not lying, 60+% EFG? Kobe barely sniffed 50% twice in his career. Just look up the shoot charts, it's a no contest.

This jump shot argument one is hard. I remember people claiming rose was a better mid range shooter than Kobe and some numbers supporting it. But there's many factors. The space and looks defences give you etc. Kobe also has shocking shot selection.

Anyway my point is if lebron had kobes midrange jumpshot he'd be the goat.

[antistrat]

If that were the case he'd have 2 more rings than he does. Either you're about 12 years old or delusional. Both Kobe and Michael were better jump shooters than Lebron.

2012/2013 and 2013/2014 Lebron was definitely a better three point shooter than any version of the above two. MJ was definitely a better mid range shooter, so he would have a case, but i have no doubt in my mind that last season's Lebron was a better jumpshooter than Bryant at any point during his career. I mean, the numbers are not lying, 60+% EFG? Kobe barely sniffed 50% twice in his career. Just look up the shoot charts, it's a no contest.

This jump shot argument one is hard. I remember people claiming rose was a better mid range shooter than Kobe and some numbers supporting it. But there's many factors. The space and looks defences give you etc. Kobe also has shocking shot selection.

Anyway my point is if lebron had kobes midrange jumpshot he'd be the goat.

I don't think he needs, or even wants, Kobe's midrange jumper. His current thinking is either get a shot in the paint, or take a three point shot, as those are the most efficient shots you can take. And I think he makes up for having a less accurate mid range jumper by 1) having great shot selection 2) being more accurate from deep and 3) being unbelievably accurate around the basket - we're talking 80% from 0-3 feet last year from LeBron.

[Dupp]

Also in MJs defence regarding the three point shot it wasn't really a priority or as important a part of basketball as it is now days. I'm sure he could have been a lot better at it.

[Dupp]

2012/2013 and 2013/2014 Lebron was definitely a better three point shooter than any version of the above two. MJ was definitely a better mid range shooter, so he would have a case, but i have no doubt in my mind that last season's Lebron was a better jumpshooter than Bryant at any point during his career. I mean, the numbers are not lying, 60+% EFG? Kobe barely sniffed 50% twice in his career. Just look up the shoot charts, it's a no contest.

This jump shot argument one is hard. I remember people claiming rose was a better mid range shooter than Kobe and some numbers supporting it. But there's many factors. The space and looks defences give you etc. Kobe also has shocking shot selection.

Anyway my point is if lebron had kobes midrange jumpshot he'd be the goat.

I don't think he needs, or even wants, Kobe's midrange jumper. His current thinking is either get a shot in the paint, or take a three point shot, as those are the most efficient shots you can take. And I think he makes up for having a less accurate mid range jumper by 1) having great shot selection 2) being more accurate from deep and 3) being unbelievably accurate around the basket - we're talking 80% from 0-3 feet last year from LeBron.

Im not arguing any of that. Lebron is far better than Kobe ever was but it'd just add that extra dimension to his game, though he's a great shooter now anyway but Kobes midrange is one of the best ever. Also an elite midrange would do wonders for his post game.

Doesn't really matter anyway, you can't have everything.

[antistrat]

This jump shot argument one is hard. I remember people claiming rose was a better mid range shooter than Kobe and some numbers supporting it. But there's many factors. The space and looks defences give you etc. Kobe also has shocking shot selection.

Anyway my point is if lebron had kobes midrange jumpshot he'd be the goat.

I don't think he needs, or even wants, Kobe's midrange jumper. His current thinking is either get a shot in the paint, or take a three point shot, as those are the most efficient shots you can take. And I think he makes up for having a less accurate mid range jumper by 1) having great shot selection 2) being more accurate from deep and 3) being unbelievably accurate around the basket - we're talking 80% from 0-3 feet last year from LeBron.

Im arguing any of that. Lebron is far better than Kobe ever was but it'd just add that extra dimension to his game, though he's a great shooter now anyway but Kobes midrange is one of the best ever. Also an elite midrange would do wonders for his post game.

Doesn't really matter anyway, you can't have everything.

LeBron's midrange game over the last 4 seasons has been just about as good as Kobe's. He just doesn't shoot it as often - but for the sake of efficiency, he shouldn't, frankly.

LeBron Last 4 Seasons:

3-10 feet: .493
10-16 feet: .439
16 < 3 range: .414
3 point: .369

Kobe Career:

3-10 feet: .452
10-16 feet: .445
16 < 3 range: .406
3 point: .336

[Dupp]

Like I said numbers don't tell the whole story. For example bosh was the best midrange shooter in the league last year or close to. Is he a better shooter than Durant? Not even close.

There's so many factors. The type of looks defences give you, shot selection, being assisted etc etc.

Lebron just has a much higher ball iq than kobe and also gets more space shooting it than Kobe did because Lebrons a bigger threat to go around the defence than he ever was.

But the actual physical act of shooting a jump shot kobes better.

[NBAWestFan]

Haste makes for Waste. What if Lebron gets injured after you Trade your Wiggins.

Then, you cannot go back and un-trade.

Wiggins probably is better off on a team without Lebron.

Two Superstars young and old that is alot of Ego for a newer coach.