Who's legacy takes the biggest hit after losing this final?

[msgkings322]

You don't have to like it but it's true, Stephen A had it right. Weakest move ever by a "superstar".

There's your problem right there

 

[msgkings322]

They could have won without him. That much is true. He is not just a guy though, he is their best player. He makes the Warriors "the best team coach Ty Lue has ever seen". He deserves plenty of credit and he will get it.

From everyone but bitter jilted ex-girlfriend Thunder fans

 

[trojanfan12]

He got crap for running Shaq out of town and because he hadn't won any titles as the #1 alpha dog.

Couldn't be more wrong if you were doing it on purpose.

Kobe didn't run Shaq out of town. Shaq left over money. He has said this himself multiple times. He has also said that he regrets not listening to Kobe when Kobe used to get on him about not working out in the off season.

Kobe may not have been the "alpha" for those first 3 titles, but the Lakers weren't winning any of them without him, just as they wouldn't have won them without Shaq.

 

[shopson67]

There's your problem right there

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes. Just because SAS agreed doesn't make it wrong.

 

[msgkings322]

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes. Just because SAS agreed doesn't make it wrong.

Actually it kinda does. Or rather, it confirms it.

 

[shopson67]

Actually it kinda does. Or rather, it confirms it.

So, since SAS picked the Warriors to win the championship...

 

[msgkings322]

So, since SAS picked the Warriors to win the championship...

He picked Cleveland, partly out of his deranged Durant hate

He's been wrong for 7 straight years picking finals.

 

[purguy12]

LBJ will take another hit for losing another Finals but to be fair this GS is super talented but LBJ can't give a stupid excuse and say he needs more help. Cavs have the highest Pay roll.

KD losing would be big but to be honest it would be Giant Fail on Curry and this GS team as a whole and a win for LBJ will 100% put him in the Top 3-5 of GOAT. He would get Mega Points for winning this one and u attach this with last years win. Damn.

 

[shopson67]

He picked Cleveland, partly out of his deranged Durant hate

He's been wrong for 7 straight years picking finals.

Stephen A. Smith has picked the wrong NBA Finals winner every year since 2011

He picked the Warriors in 7.

 

[msgkings322]

Stephen A. Smith has picked the wrong NBA Finals winner every year since 2011

He picked the Warriors in 7.

Maybe he'll be right for a change! Predictions are one thing, opinions are another. In any case I'm glad when I disagree with that dope.

 

[DorianRo]

To me it's the losing record in the Finals that kills James' argument for Top 3-5 all-time:

Jordan: 6-0
Pippen: 6-0
Mikan: 5-0
Russ: 11-1
Hondo: 8-1
Duncan: 5-1
Dream: 2-1
Kobe: 5-2
Shaq: 4-2
Bird: 3-2
Wade: 3-2
Jabbar: 6-4
Magic: 5-4
LeBron: 3-5... If he loses this year

 

[msgkings322]

To me it's the losing record in the Finals that kills James' argument for Top 3-5 all-time:

Jordan: 6-0
Pippen: 6-0
Mikan: 5-0
Russ: 11-1
Hondo: 8-1
Duncan: 5-1
Dream: 2-1
Kobe: 5-2
Shaq: 4-2
Bird: 3-2
Wade: 3-2
Jabbar: 6-4
Magic: 5-4
LeBron: 3-5... If he loses this year

You forgot Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain

 

[Clayton]

To me it's the losing record in the Finals that kills James' argument for Top 3-5 all-time:

Jordan: 6-0
Pippen: 6-0
Mikan: 5-0
Russ: 11-1
Hondo: 8-1
Duncan: 5-1
Dream: 2-1
Kobe: 5-2
Shaq: 4-2
Bird: 3-2
Wade: 3-2
Jabbar: 6-4
Magic: 5-4
LeBron: 3-5... If he loses this year

A lot of people already have him at top 5, though, and he could still be at this for another 3 or 4 years. I do think it removes him from the MJ GOAT conversation but thats pretty much it.

Not even sure why Pippen is listed, either.

 

[shopson67]

A lot of people already have him at top 5, though, and he could still be at this for another 3 or 4 years. I do think it removes him from the MJ GOAT conversation but thats pretty much it.

Not even sure why Pippen is listed, either.

Many like to equate Lebron with Pippen when the Lebron/Jordan debate gets going.

 

[SteelersPride]

A lot of people already have him at top 5, though, and he could still be at this for another 3 or 4 years. I do think it removes him from the MJ GOAT conversation but thats pretty much it.

Not even sure why Pippen is listed, either.

so MJ got there 6 times and won them all on a LOADED roster.

Lebron Gets there even more times, period, something MJ couldnt do, is get there more often, and thats held against lebron/? so its better if he just didnt make the finals??

 

[StanMarsh51]

To me it's the losing record in the Finals that kills James' argument for Top 3-5 all-time:

Jordan: 6-0
Pippen: 6-0
Mikan: 5-0
Russ: 11-1
Hondo: 8-1
Duncan: 5-1
Dream: 2-1
Kobe: 5-2
Shaq: 4-2
Bird: 3-2
Wade: 3-2
Jabbar: 6-4
Magic: 5-4
LeBron: 3-5... If he loses this year

The problem with putting that much emphasis on finals record is that if he lost earlier in the playoffs, that potentially makes his finals record better......if Lebron's team lost several times in the conference finals instead of in the finals, is his legacy better? I wouldn't say so...

I mean, if he were 3-1 in the finals instead of 3-4, that just means that he lost earlier in the playoffs (which isn't necessarily better). Better to get to the finals and lose than lose in an earlier round...

 

[gordontrue]

The problem with putting that much emphasis on finals record is that if he lost earlier in the playoffs, that potentially makes his finals record better......if Lebron's team lost several times in the conference finals instead of in the finals, is his legacy better? I wouldn't say so...

I mean, if he were 3-1 in the finals instead of 3-4, that just means that he lost earlier in the playoffs (which isn't necessarily better). Better to get to the finals and lose than lose in an earlier round...

Tread lightly. Logic and sound reason isn't much appreciated in these parts.

 

[DirtDirtDirt]

The problem with putting that much emphasis on finals record is that if he lost earlier in the playoffs, that potentially makes his finals record better......if Lebron's team lost several times in the conference finals instead of in the finals, is his legacy better? I wouldn't say so...

I mean, if he were 3-1 in the finals instead of 3-4, that just means that he lost earlier in the playoffs (which isn't necessarily better). Better to get to the finals and lose than lose in an earlier round...

Yeah, holding his finals record against him is ridiculous......I believe he has been the underdog in many of these series, something Jordan never was, not even close....That speaks to the teams he is on, and the teams he has had to go against

 

[gordontrue]

Jordan beats LeBron because 6 > 3, not because 0 < 4.

Bottom line: Finals appearances add to a resume. Just not nearly as much as Finals wins do.

 

[tlance]

Jordan beats LeBron because 6 > 3, not because 0 < 4.

Bottom line: Finals appearances add to a resume. Just not nearly as much as Finals wins do.

And in the end, if this GS core stays together, it may just put an end to the LBJ/Jordan talk for good. LeBron still needs 1 more highly impressive ring to get there in most people's minds. His window won't stay open forever and GS may be embarking on a Bulls like run.