Cowherd: just admit you're critical of Lebron because you're worried he's better than Jordan

[SJ76]

I have you on ignore but I had to check this gem of a response. I won't check again, so don't bother.

Say team A is elite offensively and average defensively
Team B is elite defensively and average offensively

I would bet on team B in a playoff series.

The Bulls were arguably the greatest defensive team of all time, but they were pretty darn good offensively also. In fact, they led the league in both offensive and defensive efficiency that season (shocker).

The Warriors are one of the best offensive teams of all time and have been number 2 in the NBA in defensive efficiency back to back seasons.

But go ahead and pretend that the Warriors are just a collection of jump shooters if you want.

The 96 Sonics gave up 102.1 points per 100 possessions. The Warriors allow 101.1. So, the Dubs defense is comparable if not better than the 96 Sonics. But thanks for trying. I will now go back to ignoring because you have 0 substance to add beyond the "90s are better" comments.

You can't handle the truth. And oh how my heart is broken.


Keep living in that bubble

 

[SJ76]

Thank you for your 7 year old responses. I also enjoy having a good laugh

Now here is a homer that can't handle the truth.

Great defense will always trump great offense. Doesn't take 7 year old or even a water boy to figure it out

 

[SJ76]

Not to mention this "great offense" is mostly jump shooters.




That's real tough for a great defensive team to defend.

 

[Jordan23]

Lebron is a great player but he's not passing Jordans 6-0 Finals record and finals MVP's. Lebron has lost more finals than he's won. If he wins this year he can make a run but if he loses this year then this discussion can end.

 

[ChrisWebber]

Nobody is saying those were not good teams. Just about every team that makes that Finals is good enough to win a title. The 2016 Warriors were special though.

Do i think Curry would light up Gary Payton? No. But I am not naive enough to think Payton would lock him down either. Elite offense beats elite defense. The best comp I could find for Curry was AI. Between his rookie year and 2001, AI averaged 23.6 against Payton. He had some real clunkers in there his first 3 seasons, but then lit Glove up a few times too. Yes, Payton would hold Curry below his average, but he isn't shutting him out. Curry is not the only problem those Sonics would have to worry about either.

Would Dray shut down Malone? No. I imagine he would do about what Rodman did. Pester the hell out of him and make him work for every point. Great offense beats great defense. But, I definitely can't see Stockton and Hornacek shutting down the splash brothers. Just isn't happening.

64 wins is awesome, but let me remind you that the Warriors won 73. There are many teams throughout history who have won 64 or more. How many have won 73?

I don't think the Glove would shut down Curry, I just believe he would hold Curry below his average. The Warriors were able to win a ton of games with Curry shooting 3's at a high percentage. If the Glove holds him to around low to mid 40% or even lower, then the Sonics can beat the Warriors in a 7 game series. Dray is an excellent defenders but I think Malone would be to much physically. I do agree that Hornacek and Stockton won't be able to stop the Splash bros but I think offensively, they could keep up. Hornacek was a sharpshooter and Stockton would run the Jazz offense efficiently, it would be a high scoring 7 game series imo between the two teams.

The reason I brought them up was that those teams statistically were similar.

The Jazz had an offensive rating of 113.6 and a defensive rating of 104. The Warriors had an offensive rating of 114.5 and a defensive rating of 103.8. The Sonics had an offensive rating of 110.3 and a defensive rating of 102.1.

 

[tlance]

I don't think the Glove would shut down Curry, I just believe he would hold Curry below his average. The Warriors were able to win a ton of games with Curry shooting 3's at a high percentage. If the Glove holds him to around low to mid 40% or even lower, then the Sonics can beat the Warriors in a 7 game series. Dray is an excellent defenders but I think Malone would be to much physically. I do agree that Hornacek and Stockton won't be able to stop the Splash bros but I think offensively, they could keep up. Hornacek was a sharpshooter and Stockton would run the Jazz offense efficiently, it would be a high scoring 7 game series imo between the two teams.

The reason I brought them up was that those teams statistically were similar.

The Jazz had an offensive rating of 113.6 and a defensive rating of 104. The Warriors had an offensive rating of 114.5 and a defensive rating of 103.8. The Sonics had an offensive rating of 110.3 and a defensive rating of 102.1.

I am going to refrain from making any more LBJ/GS predictions for now.

But, if GS wins the title this year in convincing fashion, they will go into the conversation with some of the greatest dynasties in the sport for best team ever. If Cleveland wins, LeBron will gain a lot more status. If SA wins, then Pop has to be cemented as the greatest coach ever, the SA front office as the best ever and Kawhi Leonard as the most underrated superstar in the last 30 years.

Any way you slice it, This year's playoffs has the potential to really cement some legacies. The top teams are all scary good and would be top 2 or 3 in any era (Cleveland just waits until April).

 

[trojanfan12]

then Pop has to be cemented as the greatest coach ever, the SA front office as the best ever and Kawhi Leonard as the most underrated superstar in the last 30 years.

I think all of this is already established.

 

[tlance]

I think all of this is already established.

Perhaps. But if they get through GS and LeBron this year, there will be no discussion.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Lebron is a great player but he's not passing Jordans 6-0 Finals record and finals MVP's. Lebron has lost more finals than he's won. If he wins this year he can make a run but if he loses this year then this discussion can end.

Says the guy with Jordan23 as his username 6-0 has nothing to do with Lebron bc he made the Finals with a shit team, he didn't lose in the 1st round like MJ did before he got Pip. That's why you can't just say, "he went 6-0 so there is no argument", the argument is definitely flawed

 

[Shanemansj13]

I don't think the Glove would shut down Curry, I just believe he would hold Curry below his average. The Warriors were able to win a ton of games with Curry shooting 3's at a high percentage. If the Glove holds him to around low to mid 40% or even lower, then the Sonics can beat the Warriors in a 7 game series. Dray is an excellent defenders but I think Malone would be to much physically. I do agree that Hornacek and Stockton won't be able to stop the Splash bros but I think offensively, they could keep up. Hornacek was a sharpshooter and Stockton would run the Jazz offense efficiently, it would be a high scoring 7 game series imo between the two teams.

The reason I brought them up was that those teams statistically were similar.

The Jazz had an offensive rating of 113.6 and a defensive rating of 104. The Warriors had an offensive rating of 114.5 and a defensive rating of 103.8. The Sonics had an offensive rating of 110.3 and a defensive rating of 102.1.

You forgot about Klay. Could be the 2nd best shooter of all-time and he isn't just a shooter he can also drive like Curry. Draymond guards Kemp. They have two guys they can throw at Payton with Iggy and Klay. Then I venture to say GS's bench is a hell of a lot better than the Supersonics was. Now, this year you add in KD and that is just unfair for any team in history arguably. IF, a big IF, the Cavs or Spurs beat them it is just an accomplishment nobody can top EVER so far IMO

 

[Black Adam]

Now here is a homer that can't handle the truth.

Great defense will always trump great offense. Doesn't take 7 year old or even a water boy to figure it out

well consider he's the same guy who preaches a team with "a shit roster" won 66 and 61 games in consecutive seasons. i don' t know about you, but last I remember basketball is a TEAM game, but in HIS opinion it shouldn't count against him because his rosters weren't star-studded...

 

[Thruthefog]

LOL @ LeFraud. Couldn't win a title until he joined a team that had a superstar to carry his phony ass.

 

[Shanemansj13]

well consider he's the same guy who preaches a team with "a shit roster" won 66 and 61 games in consecutive seasons. i don' t know about you, but last I remember basketball is a TEAM game, but in HIS opinion it shouldn't count against him because his rosters weren't star-studded...

I don't get your argument. CL is just a Bron hater. Carry on. Anyone that isn't blind can look at the roster and isn't comparable to the players compared rosters. Move along

 

[gordontrue]

LOL @ LeFraud. Couldn't win a title until he joined a team that had a superstar to carry his phony ass.

 

[Shanemansj13]

LOL @ LeFraud. Couldn't win a title until he joined a team that had a superstar to carry his phony ass.

Is that you Sman?

 

[Shanemansj13]

 

[larryjohn]

What are talking about?

I said it. Not making anything up. The Warriors have multiple future HOF players too. What is your point?
I know the Lakers faced elite competition. Never did they face a team with two of the top 4 players in the league because guess what? They had arguably the two best along with worthy and other good players. The Lakers were the Warriors before the Warriors. You even alluded to that yourself.
And don't ever compare me to Wiggy. Everything in my post is rational and unbiased. You don't agree, that is fine. But don't do that.
Lastly, if you use rings as a tie breaker, that is all good. What I am saying is that it won't be a tie if LeBron wins this year. I understand no Laker fan will agree, and that is all good. But I bet a large percentage of basketball people will lock LeBron into number 2 if he wins this year. Some (not me, but not just Cav fans) will even call him GOAT.
In the last 40 years, there have been 2 players who have been the undisputed best player in the league for a span of 5+ years. MJ and LeBron. That is the entire list.

Good comments. I had to do the math -- by limiting to the last 40 years -- you just missed the window where Kareem was best for probably 7 years. (Walton probably had him for a couple of years before he got hurt in the late 70s..)

 

[trojanfan12]

Says the guy with Jordan23 as his username 6-0 has nothing to do with Lebron bc he made the Finals with a shit team, he didn't lose in the 1st round like MJ did before he got Pip. That's why you can't just say, "he went 6-0 so there is no argument", the argument is definitely flawed

The guy with the Lebron avatar and trying to defend Lebron calling out the guy with the Jordan23 username for homerism when he's defending MJ.

Oh the irony.

 

[Black Adam]

I don't get your argument. CL is just a Bron hater. Carry on. Anyone that isn't blind can look at the roster and isn't comparable to the players compared rosters. Move along

lmfao or what the Hell're YOU gonna do? send me to bed without my supper...?

fuck you...

Shane is just a Bron dick-rider. he'll make up ANY garbage excuses to put his boy into better light...

you "really don't get my argument"...?

you REALLY want everyone to think LeClown did ALL the work...?

FLASH:no one's buying that BULLSHIT outside of your fellow circle jerkers...

next you'll tell everyone he played all 5 positions at the same time...

 

[tlance]

lmfao or what the Hell're YOU gonna do? send me to bed without my supper...?

fuck you...

Shane is just a Bron dick-rider. he'll make up ANY garbage excuses to put his boy into better light...

you "really don't get my argument"...?

you REALLY want everyone to think LeClown did ALL the work...?

FLASH:no one's buying that BULLSHIT outside of your fellow circle jerkers...

next you'll tell everyone he played all 5 positions at the same time...

No, but that is the difference between LeBron and Westbrook.

Russ can take a roster like that to the playoffs and lose in the first round. LeBron makes that roster a legit contender, top 3-4 in the league. He is that good.