LBJ Will be the GOAT

[Jims_Doors]

From 2009. Rule changes that leflop benefits from that MJ didn't have the benefit of:

In 1999, the league eliminated contact by a defender with his hands and forearms both in the backcourt and frontcourt, except on offensive players who caught the ball below the free throw line extended. Defenses were also prohibited from "re-routing" players off the ball. This freed up perimeter players who used screens to get open. Nor were defenders able any more to grab or impede offensive players setting screens. In 2001, the defensive three-second rule eliminated defenders camping out in the lane away from their offensive man to help.

The rules changes did what they were supposed to do -- open up the game. Scoring average has increased from an average 95.6 points per game in the 1997-98 season to this year's 100 per game. Overall field goal percentage has increased from 45.0 percent in '97-'98 to 45.9 percent this season. Three-point percentage has gone up, from .346 11 years ago to .367 this season. And fouls have gone down, from a league average of 1,837 fouls in 1997 to 1,726 this season. The statistical-based Basketball Prospectus wrote at the beginning of this season that the game's pace -- defined as possessions per game -- had sincreased from its nadir during the lockout season of 1999 (around 88 possessions per game) to around 91 per game in the 2007-08 season.

Free-flowing offense is now the norm, with players able to go almost unencumbered anywhere on the court. As such, the game's most dominant individual players and those that are just good at drawing contact have even more of a chance to get to the foul line. So stars like Dwight Howard (the league leader in free throw attempts this season with 849), Dwyane Wade (second, 771) and LeBron James (third, 762) can have an even more outsized impact on games.

"You can't even touch a guy now," says Charlotte coach Larry Brown. "The college game is much more physical than our game. I always tease Michael [Jordan], if he played today, he'd average 50."

Those rule changes were made years before James got into the league. Stern changed the rules (in MJ's favor) while he was still in his prime and his market ability was beginning to peak. Then the refs made sure that Jordan was not allowed to lose.

 

[Jims_Doors]

Yes it is. Do Knick fans even remember what it's like to win one of those things? You would have to be pretty old.

Nope, never witnessed one yet. Still plenty of time for me to possibly see it happen, though.

 

[HuskerCradle2Grave]

Those rule changes were made years before James got into the league. Stern changed the rules (in MJ's favor) while he was still in his prime and his market ability was beginning to peak. Then the refs made sure that Jordan was not allowed to lose.

Right and leflop benefits from those changes, the ones made while Jordan was still playing and the ones after. And the refs take care of leflop better than anyone before.

Let's face it. Larry brown has forgotten more basketball than you will ever know. He says MJ would average 50 a game? You should listen to an expert. I wouldn't doubt him. But maybe your "gut" tells you differently...

 

[Jims_Doors]

Leflop plays under those rules too and others encouraging offense and STILL isn't as good as MJ.

And MJ didn't run to a rival to get a ring. He was following a passion. Leflop, well you know..

I never said he was better right now, but still has time to do so.

How was Miami a rival to Cleveland? They never played against each other in the playoffs.

MJ was dumb to sign an 8yr deal. Then quit on his team and walked away right in the middle of his contract. That's real cool, huh?

 

[HuskerCradle2Grave]

I never said he was better right now, but still has time to do so.

How was Miami a rival to Cleveland? They never played against each other in the playoffs.

MJ was dumb to sign an 8yr deal. Then quit on his team and walked away right in the middle of his contract. That's real cool, huh?

Wade was leflops rival. MJ wanted to beat his rivals not ride their jock to a ring. I can't even imagine him calling Drexler and asking if he could come to Portland to team up. Too funny...

Have to admit, I was not thrilled when he retired to play baseball. But at least he didn't quit on his home town...

 

[Jims_Doors]

Right and leflop benefits from those changes, the ones made while Jordan was still playing and the ones after. And the refs take care of leflop better than anyone before.

Let's face it. Larry brown has forgotten more basketball than you will ever know. He says MJ would average 50 a game? You should listen to an expert. I wouldn't doubt him. But maybe your "gut" tells you differently...

Magic while getting Dream Team photo with Bird and MJ.

"Don't wanna get too close to Michael and have a foul called on me"

Jordan got the Wayne Gretzky treatment. Couldn't get close to him during or after the 90-91 season.

Stern didn't change any rules to benefit James after getting bounced by the Celtics in B2B years.

 

[Jims_Doors]

Wade was leflops rival. MJ wanted to beat his rivals not ride their jock to a ring. I can't even imagine him calling Drexler and asking if he could come to Portland to team up. Too funny...

Have to admit, I was not thrilled when he retired to play baseball. But at least he didn't quit on his home town...

Correct, MJ wanted to beat his rivals. The ones he constantly lost to in the regular season or playoffs.

The case above does not apply to James vs. Wade or Cleveland vs. Miami.

Why would MJ want another SG (Drexler) on the team?

MJ didn't retire, he quit with an chance at a 4 peat.

Well, he was still under contract with Chicago until the summer of 1997 so he couldn't go anywhere. And why would he go somewhere else when he had the best rebounder in the history of the game (along with his defense) in Rodman. Plus Pippen, Phil and others?

 

[HuskerCradle2Grave]

Magic while getting Dream Team photo with Bird and MJ.

"Don't wanna get too close to Michael and have a foul called on me"

Jordan got the Wayne Gretzky treatment. Couldn't get close to him during or after the 90-91 season.

Stern didn't change any rules to benefit James after getting bounced by the Celtics in B2B years.

Stern couldn't make it any easier for leflop. Maybe actually tie defenders hands, I guess.

Oh and by the way, after 10 years in the league; MJ 6161 FTA, leflop 6617 FTA.

Ooppps...

 

[HuskerCradle2Grave]

Correct, MJ wanted to beat his rivals. The ones he constantly lost to in the regular season or playoffs.

The case above does not apply to James vs. Wade or Cleveland vs. Miami.

Why would MJ want another SG (Drexler) on the team?

MJ didn't retire, he quit with an chance at a 4 peat.

Well, he was still under contract with Chicago until the summer of 1997 so he couldn't go anywhere. And why would he go somewhere else when he had the best rebounder in the history of the game (along with his defense) in Rodman. Plus Pippen, Phil and others?

Give it up. leflop ran to Wade's team. Read that again. Ran to Wade's team. And sorry the Drexler bit didn't work for you. Does calling Hakeem or Charles or anyone else for that matter, work for you? Jordan stuck (and he didn't have Rodman for the 1st 3 peat). Leflop was gutless, knew he couldn't get it done, quit on his home town and ran to Wade. And the Wade/leflop comparison does apply. They are contemporaries vying for championships. Both alpha dogs (well, leflop is more of a beta) and WERE leaders of their own teams.

Well if you say MJ quit, I should listen, because being a leflop nut hugger, you should know a quitter when you see one...

 

[Jims_Doors]

Stern couldn't make it any easier for leflop. Maybe actually tie defenders hands, I guess.

Oh and by the way, after 10 years in the league; MJ 6161 FTA, leflop 6617 FTA.

Ooppps...

What rules did Stern change to benefit SF's after James got into the league?
Can't compare free throws when there are many different situations as far as when the other team was in the penalty, shooting fouls and 1's....etc.

Plus MJ only played 18 games his second year, quit after his 9th and then played the last 17 games of the 94-94 season. Missing close to 200 games over that span.

 

[Jims_Doors]

Give it up. leflop ran to Wade's team. Read that again. Ran to Wade's team. And sorry the Drexler bit didn't work for you. Does calling Hakeem or Charles or anyone else for that matter, work for you? Jordan stuck (and he didn't have Rodman for the 1st 3 peat). Leflop was gutless, knew he couldn't get it done, quit on his home town and ran to Wade. And the Wade/leflop comparison does apply. They are contemporaries vying for championships. Both alpha dogs (well, leflop is more of a beta) and WERE leaders of their own teams.

Well if you say MJ quit, I should listen, because being a leflop nut hugger, you should know a quitter when you see one...

Yes, it was Wade's team. Then after the first year we all saw what happen in the Finals when James let it be Wade's team. They lost

The next year, when Wade said "it's LeBron's team now"....what happen..... B2B championships.

Unrestricted Free agency didn't start till the summer of 1988. A lot of players were still under contract and couldn't just "leave their teams." Without looking it up, not sure who were unrestricted and who wasn't.

Jordan had no choice to stick with Chicago "he was under contract until the summer of 1997" You didn't see that the first time I posted it? Plus Chicago offered him the highest contract in NBA history at 8yrs 25mil. (huge $$$ back then)

I know he didn't have Rodman before he quit. Still had a great team, the refs and Stern in his back pocket though.

Well with you being a Jordan pubic hair groomer, you don't see quitting in the middle of a contract while making the chance at history for a 4peat for Phil, Scottie, Horace , the owner etc... as a bad thing.

Big difference between quitting in the middle of your contract and signing elsewhere as a UFA.

 

[HuskerCradle2Grave]

Yes, it was Wade's team. Then after the first year we all saw what happen in the Finals when James let it be Wade's team. They lost

The next year, when Wade said "it's LeBron's team now"....what happen..... B2B championships.

Unrestricted Free agency didn't start till the summer of 1988. A lot of players were still under contract and couldn't just "leave their teams." Without looking it up, not sure who were unrestricted and who wasn't.

Jordan had no choice to stick with Chicago "he was under contract until the summer of 1997" You didn't see that the first time I posted it? Plus Chicago offered him the highest contract in NBA history at 8yrs 25mil. (huge $$$ back then)

I know he didn't have Rodman before he quit. Still had a great team, the refs and Stern in his back pocket though.

Well with you being a Jordan pubic hair groomer, you don't see quitting in the middle of a contract while making the chance at history for a 4peat for Phil, Scottie, Horace , the owner etc... as a bad thing.

Big difference between quitting in the middle of your contract and signing elsewhere as a UFA.

Did you read my post? At all? And at least he didn't quit on his home town...

 

[Jims_Doors]

James was born and raised in Akron, Ohio........not Cleveland.

He didn't quit. He played out his contract and exercised his right to sign wherever he wanted as a unrestricted free agent.

 

[trojanfan12]

James was born and raised in Akron, Ohio........not Cleveland.

He didn't quit. He played out his contract and exercised his right to sign wherever he wanted as a unrestricted free agent.

Actually, he did quit. Yes, he played out his contract and went where he wanted as an unrestricted free agent.

However, he also told Cavs fans that he wouldn't quit until he brought a championship to Cleveland.

Last I checked, Cavs fans are still waiting for that championship.

 

[RoboticDreams]

I have to admit, this shit had me in tears.

 

[Black Adam]

Actually, he did quit. Yes, he played out his contract and went where he wanted as an unrestricted free agent.

However, he also told Cavs fans that he wouldn't quit until he brought a championship to Cleveland.

Last I checked, Cavs fans are still waiting for that championship.

BINGO...!!!

Funny how LeClown fans ALWAYS seem to bypass this little item in their minds...

 

[Black Adam]

I have to admit, this shit had me in tears.

Gunshot victims don't hit the deck faster than LeClown does...

 

[LALakersboy24.7]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPiHmKsJeHI]NBA: Miami Heat School of Acting and Flopping - YouTube[/ame]

 

[HuskerCradle2Grave]

NBA: Miami Heat School of Acting and Flopping - YouTube

Holeeee fuck. Just about pissed myself that was so funny!

 

[HuskerCradle2Grave]

Hey Jimmy, since you are so sure that Leflop is the GOAT, I will give you a chance. Prove it. And no opinions. Bring only facts and stats...