tOfficial "2014 LeBron James" Superthread

[trojanfan12]

Yes, that's a point worth making, for sure.

But why are those guys not on the GOAT list? Because of their multiple teams? I don't think so. There are plenty of other surface reasons for each of them. Those guys are considered some of the greats of the game, and you never hear anyone question that because of the number of teams they played for.

IMO, Jordan is really the only player to ever stick with 1 team and turn them into a dynasty. The rest of those guys were drafted onto dynasties. (Not to take away from their individual importance to the team, but they found themselves in GREAT situations right from the start)

What I'm really trying to say... is that just because the GOAT candidates of the past were on 1 team... that isn't a reason that GOAT candidates of that future can't be on more teams.

If Jordan had won 2 titles each on 3 different teams, and LeBron had stuck with Cleveland and won a couple titles so far... the narrative would be "Yeah, but can LeBron prove that he is the greatest by taking other teams to championships too? The truly great ones show that it doesn't matter which franchise you put them with, they will find a way".

Sometimes, we make aspects of how the great ones in the past did things becomes aspects of how things should be done... when it doesn't really make sense.

Good points, especially the bolded. There was a time when it would have been blasphemous for the best player(s) in the game to do what Miami's big 3 did.

Back in the 80's and 90's, it wouldn't have crossed the minds of Magic, Bird, MJ, etc. to try and orchestrate getting together to play for the same team.

Now, since Miami's big 3 did it, they're all trying to. Even Kobe, who is arguably the most old school player left in the game, is actively recruiting 'Melo and has been trying to recruit Lebron as well.

This may just be taking the NBA in a new direction and may very well change the GOAT discussion if it continues.

 

[RobToxin]

Moving teams looks tacky, anything over 1 move and you look like a cheap rental player. Shaq crapped all over his legacy by doing that, Lebron needs to avoid that.

I think the same here. If LeBron leaves Miami and goes anywhere not named Cleveland, he becomes another Shaq.

 

[SoPortland]

How many of those players on your list are in the discussion for GOAT, though?

Here are the players who most commonly appear/have appeared in that discussion:

Bill Russell - 1 team his entire career
Michael Jordan - 2 teams in his entire career (and the second was for 2 seasons and a few years after he had retired from the Bulls)
Magic Johnson - 1 team in his entire career
Larry Bird - 1 team in his entire career
Kobe Bryant - 1 team in his entire career (so far)

See the difference?

Consistently surrounded by fellow HoF players...

Lebron didn't get to play with a fellow HoF player until after he moved to Miami.

are you really this dumb?

 

[SoPortland]

I think the same here. If LeBron leaves Miami and goes anywhere not named Cleveland, he becomes another Shaq.

one of the most dominating players to ever play?

Wow. Must suck.

 

[LAKERSUSCBAM]

See the difference?

doubt he'll see it if wearing homer glasses or hater

 

[OutlawImmortal]

Good points, especially the bolded. There was a time when it would have been blasphemous for the best player(s) in the game to do what Miami's big 3 did.

Back in the 80's and 90's, it wouldn't have crossed the minds of Magic, Bird, MJ, etc. to try and orchestrate getting together to play for the same team.

Now, since Miami's big 3 did it, they're all trying to. Even Kobe, who is arguably the most old school player left in the game, is actively recruiting 'Melo and has been trying to recruit Lebron as well.

This may just be taking the NBA in a new direction and may very well change the GOAT discussion if it continues.

It may also explain why so many lesser players are being paid more. The desperate teams are bidding on the leftovers.

 

[SoPortland]

It may also explain why so many lesser players are being paid more. The desperate teams are bidding on the leftovers.

it has more to do with the fact that max quality players can't get their true value... the next CBA is going to be a nightmare for ownership.

 

[trojanfan12]

Consistently surrounded by fellow HoF players...

Lebron didn't get to play with a fellow HoF player until after he moved to Miami.

are you really this dumb?

There was an adult conversation happening. If you'd like join in as an adult, feel free. If you are going to be childish, I'd suggest you run along.

 

[trojanfan12]

it has more to do with the fact that max quality players can't get their true value... the next CBA is going to be a nightmare for ownership.

There's already talk of a lockout or strike when it's time for the next CBA. I read where players at the level of Lebron, KD, Kobe, etc. have a true value of $40-60 million per year.

 

[SoPortland]

There was an adult conversation happening. If you'd like join in as an adult, feel free. If you are going to be childish, I'd suggest you run along.

I'm being childish, yet you're sitting here throwing some BS out there that all these Lakers have much better legacies because they stayed with the same team... when it was never hard for them to do it. I'm going to call you all out on it...

Hell, Lebron didn't even get to play with a borderline HoF player for his 7 years.

 

[GNG]

There's already talk of a lockout or strike when it's time for the next CBA. I read where players at the level of Lebron, KD, Kobe, etc. have a true value of $40-60 million per year.

The lack of a hard salary cap is bad for the NBA. The NFL is thriving because they have one.

 

[Triplexxx23]

[MEDIA=twitter]486546759481442304[/MEDIA]

"Dan Gilbert is such a douchebag." - Jim Irsay

Dan gilbert shouldn't have never taken it down... He looks like a fool doing that now.. That's how he felt then be a men about it and say it... It's not gonna do no harm of having the chance to bring back lebron.

 

[GNG]

Isn't that Bluto from Animal House? Nothing wrong with that.

What are the Celtics chances of being relevant the next 10 years? 0.0

Ask a Celtics fan because nobody else gives a damn.

 

[SoPortland]

The lack of a hard salary cap is bad for the NBA. The NFL is thriving because they have one.

They do have a hard salary cap. You don't seem to understand the current CBA. Also, if the purchase of the Clippers is any sign of the NBA's value... they're doing perfectly fine.

 

[trojanfan12]

I'm being childish, yet you're sitting here throwing some BS out there that all these Lakers have much better legacies because they stayed with the same team... when it was never hard for them to do it. I'm going to call you all out on it...

Hell, Lebron didn't even get to play with a borderline HoF player for his 7 years.

Yes, you were being childish and still are.


My post was re: players who typically are or have been in the GOAT conversation and not all of them were Lakers. Last I checked, Bill Russell and Larry Bird were Celtics and MJ played for the Bulls.


The post that I responded to listed players that are not and never have been in the GOAT conversation. There is often debate on whether or not Lebron belongs in the GOAT conversation.


Additionally, MJ was not drafted onto a team full of Hall of Famers and it took several years before he played for a title.


Nothing wrong with calling someone out of you disagree with them, but I'd suggest that you do it without being childish. Childish posters tend not to last.

 

[Sportsguy9695]

going back to Cleveland

 

[SoPortland]

Yes, you were being childish and still are.

Calling your argument what it is... is far from childish. I'm sorry you can't handle the blunt truth.

Your view is ridiculously biased and completely wrong. Lebron is and still will be the best player of this era and his legacy will be intact whether he plays with 2 teams or all 30.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Lakers are getting Lebron, but you guys are really fuckin stupid if you think this means the end for the Lakers. The Lakers will rebuild and get more championships sooner or later just as the Miami Heat will get kicked to the gutter like a dirty piece of crap eventually. Thats just the way it is.

They have to rebuild before they even smell even a top 4 seed

 

[Jims_Doors]

 

[Shanemansj13]

going back to Cleveland

Link via Broussard?