Around the NBA: Playoff Edition #2

[MC3]

Bigest myth is Lebron is actually closing to the GOAT.

[kingkirk]

Bigest myth is Lebron is actually closing to the GOAT.

Nah.

[MC3]

Bigest myth is Lebron is actually closing to the GOAT.

Nah.

Agree. It's biggest. My bad sorry.

[Rerisen]

Controversial take, I know, but it's noth unfathomable to think that when it's all said and done, that LeBron had the better career and Michael had the better peak. It's certainly on the table if LeBron keeps playing like this for another 3 seasons and starts moving into number 1 on so many categories.

[immediately regrets posting this]

LeBron's problem even on the career rating (don't think he can pass MJ's peak because LeBron is already crested) is that for career, MJ's titles are always going to reign huge, and winning 6/6. LeBron will pass him in points, rebounds, assists, etc, but that's not enough plenty of other guys already lead MJ in those kinds of cumulative stats.

So unless LeBron starts winning more titles - which will be super hard with GS around - and keeps playing as well as last year in those Finals (not like 2011 or 2013) even career could be a hard mark to win convincingly. But certainly I could imagine people will be able to make arguments for that which aren't crazy.

But GOAT is the real prize, and for most people that means best player they ever saw, which is the one I don't think LeBron has a realistic shot for.

If we are just talking career accomplishments or what not, plenty of people already might argue for Russell or Kareem over MJ, MJs stranglehold is more on the GOAT title.

[Rerisen]

I will say if LeBron beats GS this year - and no funny business like injuries or suspensions involved - and plays as well as last Finals, I think he moves into #2 All-Time, and probably keeps open a crack to challenge MJ, based on what more he could do in forthcoming years.

[kingkirk]

LeBron's problem even on the career rating (don't think he can pass MJ's peak because LeBron is already crested) is that for career, MJ's titles are always going to reign huge, and winning 6/6. LeBron will pass him in points, rebounds, assists, etc, but that's not enough plenty of other guys already lead MJ in those kinds of cumulative stats.

So unless LeBron starts winning more titles - which will be super hard with GS around - and keeps playing as well as last year in those Finals (not like 2011 or 2013) even career could be a hard mark to win convincingly. But certainly I could imagine people will be able to make arguments for that which aren't crazy.

But GOAT is the real prize, and for most people that means best player they ever saw, which is the one I don't think LeBron has a realistic shot for.

If we are just talking career accomplishments or what not, plenty of people already might argue for Russell or Kareem over MJ, MJs stranglehold is more on the GOAT title.

That's why I was careful to say better career, or maybe more career achievements, instead of surpassing Michael's peak. I don't think LeBron was better than Jordan, but if he keeps playing at this level until his mid-30s, that's 17-18 seasons of absurd levels of play.

Jordan only played 13 seasons with the Bulls. LeBron is already in year 14. Because of longevity, I think there's a strong argument to say if he maintains this level of play and challenges someone like Kareem for scoring record and ends up top 10 in assists, I think the gap in titles is mitigated. Maybe not entirely, but it certainly gets closer.

Regardless, LeBron is going down as the second best to ever do it imo. 5 years ago I would've said LeBron would have no claim for the GOAT status. I expected him to fall off already. I didn't expect that Cleveland title. Who knows what happens going forward, but I don't think it's as inconceivable as it once was, that's my main point.

[Polynice4Pippen]

Houston embarrassing themselves at home last night was the best thing that could've happened to Washington. They know they have to bring it in Game 6 even in their own building.

[Rerisen]

Houston embarrassing themselves at home last night was the best thing that could've happened to Washington. They know they have to bring it in Game 6 even in their own building.

Seems like the series is going the way of all home wins.

[Payt10]

I said before the start of the year, that if Lebron is able to beat this GS juggernaut, I think he could end up better than MJ. I think he is no worse than #3 all time. Probably #2.

[FecesOfDeath]

Avery Bradley is so tough and so feisty that belies his even-keeled demeanor. You can tell that he was heavily mentored by Rondo.

[Polynice4Pippen]

I said before the start of the year, that if Lebron is able to beat this GS juggernaut, I think he could end up better than MJ. I think he is no worse than #3 all time. Probably #2.

Only way you can say LeBron is better than Jordan is if you pretend the 2011 NBA Finals never happened. Not to mention the 2009 ECF where LeBron lost to Dwight Howard and Orlando.

[Polynice4Pippen]

Washington is so careless. They get beat REPEATEDLY by that back cut off the weak side, especially Wall and Porter. You can't fall asleep on that play with 7 seconds to go in the half of Game 6. Poor focus.

[DanTown8587]

I said before the start of the year, that if Lebron is able to beat this GS juggernaut, I think he could end up better than MJ. I think he is no worse than #3 all time. Probably #2.

Only way you can say LeBron is better than Jordan is if you pretend the 2011 NBA Finals never happened. Not to mention the 2009 ECF where LeBron lost to Dwight Howard and Orlando.

To me it's the 2014 NBA Finals that will always make me question all-time great. The Spurs basically said "you can have yours, you can't beat us". That should never be true of the GOAT in the prime of his career. I think LeBron can have a greater career than MJ per say but I won't say he's ever better.

[Polynice4Pippen]

Gortat has been a factor tonight. He and Morris killing Boston on the boards.

[Polynice4Pippen]

Isaiah making the big shots, Beal and Wall missing in the clutch.

[Polynice4Pippen]

And Beal strikes back with a big 3, Wall 2 big free throws.

[Payt10]

Ugh.. Lucky shot by Horford.

[Repeat 3-peat]

Cold blooded shot by Wall

[Payt10]

John Wall

[Payt10]

Good. I **** hate Boston.