Would you take any duo over prime MJ and LeBron?

[thunderc]

Anything to mention Lebron with MJ I guess.

 

[Vyle203]

Let's swap out Kyrie and put Jordan on the Cavs.

Actually, I don't know. Golden State still might be better.

I think we're about dead even. Holy shit that would be amazing.

 

[DorianRo]

I'll take Magic/MJ or Bird/MJ or MJ/Shaq any day and twice on Sunday over MJ/Lebron.

 

[CodeBreaker]

I'll take Magic/MJ or Bird/MJ or MJ/Shaq any day and twice on Sunday over MJ/Lebron.

You cannot pick MJ + someone else other than LeBron, or LeBron plus someone other than MJ.

 

[msgkings322]

Anything to mention Lebron with MJ I guess.

Well, you could always mention them together by saying "MJ is way better than LeBron"

 

[Iggloo]

MJ and Wilt?

 

[Gman]

Actually, I don't know. Golden State still might be better.

I'd have trouble picking against MJ in the scenario... even if GS is the better "team" that had better harmony as a unit...

... MJ was simply the most competitive and driven player I've ever witnessed.

 

[tlance]

I'd have trouble picking against MJ in the scenario... even if GS is the better "team" that had better harmony as a unit...

... MJ was simply the most competitive and driven player I've ever witnessed.

AGreed.

But that can also go the other way if his team starts hitting adversity. MJ never played another team on the Bulls level during the 90s run. He wasn't notoriously hard on teammates.

 

[Gman]

AGreed.

But that can also go the other way if his team starts hitting adversity. MJ never played another team on the Bulls level during the 90s run. He was notoriously hard on teammates.

Whether it worked or it didn't... seeing MJ get in LeBron's face would be absolutely priceless.

 

[trojanfan12]

... MJ was simply the most competitive and driven player I've ever witnessed.

Practically to the point that it would have qualified as a mental illness. lol

 

[handicappers]

MJ and LeBron are the two greatest players ever so it would be unfair to put them together against ANY other duo in the history of duo's. Case closed.

 

[jon2tanman]

Kareem and Wilt, or Kareem and Magic.

 

[tlance]

Kareem and Wilt, or Kareem and Magic.

You would take 2 centers?

That would work great 30 years ago. Not anymore. If your two best players are post scorers, you are going to have a tough time getting offensive floor spacing. On D, Wilt and Kareem would get attacked relentlessly on ball screens and having to guard in space.

Size mismatches are much easier to defend than speed/skill mismatches. It is far easier to double effectively on the block than it is to help a center trying to guard a perimeter player.

 

[PhillyGreen]

Olajuwan and Duncan

 

[CitySushi]

I don't think there's any matchup you could have directly to challenge those two, but IF I had to choose another duo to form a team around, it would be Olajuwon and Durant.

Olajuwon, IMO, is probably the best defensive center ever in the NBA. Add to that he was a freak athlete and could guard in today's NBA game on the perimeter that's a huge bonus. He was a gifted passer and scorer too. He would thrive in today's NBA game because he could score in multiple ways, including stepping out to hit a midrange or even a bit further.

Then I'd take KD almost over any other secondary player. Why? Because he's damn near 7'0", can score off the dribble, finish at the rim and is one of the most unguardable scorers in NBA history. You have to go with an advantage when you're playing against the two best wing players in NBA history.

 

[jon2tanman]

You would take 2 centers?

That would work great 30 years ago. Not anymore. If your two best players are post scorers, you are going to have a tough time getting offensive floor spacing. On D, Wilt and Kareem would get attacked relentlessly on ball screens and having to guard in space.

Size mismatches are much easier to defend than speed/skill mismatches. It is far easier to double effectively on the block than it is to help a center trying to guard a perimeter player.

Maybe so, however I'll take the high percentage shots while you shoot outside.

 

[AlpacaWine]

Let's say you can choose to have MJ and LeBron in their prime as a duo, or any other two players who played in the NBA, who are you going to pick? You cannot pick MJ + someone else other than LeBron, or LeBron plus someone other than MJ.

MJ-LeBron or other duo?

Bird and Magic

 

[AlpacaWine]

I don't think there's any matchup you could have directly to challenge those two, but IF I had to choose another duo to form a team around, it would be Olajuwon and Durant.

Olajuwon, IMO, is probably the best defensive center ever in the NBA. Add to that he was a freak athlete and could guard in today's NBA game on the perimeter that's a huge bonus. He was a gifted passer and scorer too. He would thrive in today's NBA game because he could score in multiple ways, including stepping out to hit a midrange or even a bit further.

Then I'd take KD almost over any other secondary player. Why? Because he's damn near 7'0", can score off the dribble, finish at the rim and is one of the most unguardable scorers in NBA history. You have to go with an advantage when you're playing against the two best wing players in NBA history.

You can pick anyone in the history of the NBA and you choose a mental puddle like Kevin Durant?

No thanks. I'll choose a winner.

 

[AlpacaWine]

Imagine prime Magic and Bird running the break together?

 

[tlance]

Maybe so, however I'll take the high percentage shots while you shoot outside.

My guys aren't shooting jumpers, they are driving to the rim where your centers will have to leave open shooters to help.

Meanwhile, post play is one of the least efficient forms of offense. Most often, it ends with a highly contested shot attempt. While closer, close is not better than open.

There is a reason all the best teams today play pace and space and why bigs are used as screeners instead of post scorers.