Would you take any duo over prime MJ and LeBron?

[tlance]

How old are you?

39

I have watched plenty of replays of games in the 60s. Talent was nowhere near what it is today. The league average pro would struggle to get a D1 scholarship today.

Russell was a great leader, winner and team player. I would gladly take him on my team in any era, but he is not as good as the best players from more current eras. Sorry. He would be a high quality 3rd option today, like a Draymond Green, but different.

 

[AlpacaWine]

39

I have watched plenty of replays of games in the 60s. Talent was nowhere near what it is today. The league average pro would struggle to get a D1 scholarship today.

Russell was a great leader, winner and team player. I would gladly take him on my team in any era, but he is not as good as the best players from more current eras. Sorry. He would be a high quality 3rd option today, like a Draymond Green, but different.

Good talk.


Bill Russell = Draymond Green

 

[tlance]

Bill Russell is the greatest winner in NBA history.

No superlative for that guy is "ludicrous"

Saying that because a guy won 11 rings in a league with 8 teams makes him automatically better than current players is ludicrous. Championships are team accomplishments. The best individual doesn't always win. Case and point, Wilt was the best individual from that era.

Also, LeBron is the best today, but he can't beat GS because they are a better team.

 

[tlance]

Good talk.


Bill Russell = Draymond Green

If he were playing today, yes.

 

[AlpacaWine]

Saying that because a guy won 11 rings in a league with 8 teams makes him automatically better than current players is ludicrous. Championships are team accomplishments. The best individual doesn't always win. Case and point, Wilt was the best individual from that era.

Also, LeBron is the best today, but he can't beat GS because they are a better team.

More than any other sport, the team with the best player usually wins in the NBA

 

[handicappers]

Bill Russell played in an era where 65% of the NBA players were borderline factory workers and mailmen. The competition wasn't good at all so putting Russell in this discussion is just moronic.

Next

 

[AlpacaWine]

If he were playing today, yes.

And if LeBron James were playing in the 50s and 60s where guys chain-smoked cigarettes and ate fried chicken for breakfast? I have a hunch that his physical stature wouldn't be what it is in this day and age.

 

[AlpacaWine]

Bill Russell played in an era where 65% of the NBA players were borderline factory workers and mailmen. The competition wasn't good at all so putting Russell in this discussion is just moronic.

Next

Because the thing that singularly defines LeBron James is not his immense physical superiority over virtually everybody he sees on the basketball court.

 

[tlance]

And if LeBron James were playing in the 50s and 60s where guys chain-smoked cigarettes and ate fried chicken for breakfast? I have a hunch that his physical stature wouldn't be what it is in this day and age.

Um....

Did you see LeBron when he was 13 years old? Genetic freak.

You can't say LeBron would have been less athletic if he played in the 60s. He is what he is. If he traveled in time back then, it wouldn't even be fair.

 

[tlance]

Because the thing that singularly defines LeBron James is not his immense physical superiority over virtually everybody he sees on the basketball court.

He probably is the best athlete ever to play basketball. But, he is also highly skilled and has a tremendous basketball IQ. You act like he has no skill.

 

[AlpacaWine]

Um....

Did you see LeBron when he was 13 years old? Genetic freak.

You can't say LeBron would have been less athletic if he played in the 60s. He is what he is. If he traveled in time back then, it wouldn't even be fair.

Exactly.

If Russells natural physical advantages cou t against him, why dont LeBrons?

 

[Wamu]

Um....

Did you see LeBron when he was 13 years old? Genetic freak.

You can't say LeBron would have been less athletic if he played in the 60s. He is what he is. If he traveled in time back then, it wouldn't even be fair.

I saw LeBron play in jr. high & HS. He was gifted beyond his years @ a young age.

 

[tlance]

Exactly.

If Russells natural physical advantages cou t against him, why dont LeBrons?

What?

Russell had physical advantages over his contemporaries. He wouldn't have those advantages today. That is the entire point. LeBron is an elite athlete TODAY. Kyle Korver would have been a plus athlete in the 60s.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Prime Shaq and prime Magic.

Prime Shaq and Prime MJ or Prime Lebron.

Hakeem and MJ

 

[trojanfan12]

Bill Russell is the greatest winner in NBA history.

No superlative for that guy is "ludicrous"

The Russell argument has long been debunked. However, there are different levels of strong arguments for pretty much everyone else you named.

 

[trojanfan12]

I have watched plenty of replays of games in the 60s. Talent was nowhere near what it is today. The league average pro would struggle to get a D1 scholarship today.

The problem with this argument is that it assumes that the advantages that are enjoyed by today's players wouldn't be taken advantage of by the great players of the past.

If this were a "hot tub time machine" situation where guys were dropped into different eras as exactly who they are/were in their primes...then yes, today's average players would be Hall of Famers in previous eras. Heck, just the amount of time that today's players have to hone their craft because of the money they make, would give them a huge advantage.

Prior to the 80's, many NBA players had to get summer jobs to make ends meet between seasons. Those who were fortunate enough to not have to do that, still didn't have the advances in training, medicine and nutrition that today's players enjoy.

However, all things being equal, great players would likely be just as great in any era with few, if any, exceptions.

 

[Wamu]

Prime Shaq and Prime MJ or Prime Lebron.

Hakeem and MJ

Greg Kite & Adam Morrison.

 

[Wamu]

I can roll out of bed and name 10 guys better than LeBron James.

Great sarcasm. Okay name your list.

 

[trojanfan12]

Greg Kite & Adam Morrison.

The Mamba's. Both White and Black.

 

[Wamu]

The Mamba's. Both White and Black.

Too bad Daryl Dawkins passed away. Chocolate Thunder & White Chocolate would have been unstoppable.