The narrative 20 years from now will be that... LeBron defeated the previous year's champions. LeBron defeated the team with the best record in history of the NBA (73-9). LeBron and the Cavs were the first team to come down from 1-3 in the NBA Finals. Not to mention that the Warriors had HCA, where they only lost twice in the entire season. LeBron defeated the team with the first ever unanimous MVP. People will keep saying these things to say that LeBron was the greatest ever. What will be forgotten is that... Draymond was controversially suspended. Bogut then got injured. Iggy then had to play extended minutes and got injured. Because of LeBron's complaints last season, Adam Silver gave the Cavs more days off in between games. Yes, this helps the Warriors too, but this helps a guy like LeBron more. Warriors are a team that can share the load. Cavs rely a lot more on LeBron. Hence...no cramps. Kyrie Irving hit the series-winning shot. Curry was most likely injured during the whole series. Monty McCutchen was the MVP of games 5 and 7.
Not yet. But to be fair, Lebron's career isn't over. At 31, MJ had 3 rings and 3 MVP's. Lebron has 3 rings and 4 MVP's. He's on pace to catch and perhaps even surpass MJ in terms of accomplishments.
There was a lot of debate on this before, but has LeBron now surpassed Bird as the best SF of all-time? They have the same number of all-star appearances (probably will surpass Bird next year). They have the same number of rings. LeBron has 1 more Finals MVP. LeBron has 1 more regular season MVP. LeBron has 1 more all-star MVP. LeBron has 1 more all-nba 1st. LeBron has 5 all-defensive 1sts as opposed to Bird's 0. Bird averaged 24/10/6 during his career. LeBron is averaging 27/7/7 (probably will go down as he ages in the next few seasons).
Numbers are telling but you can't measure pure heart and guts. Never backed down from anyone, talked smack [backed it up], never made a spectacle of himself when he fell, never wore a "check my stats" tee and never whined to the refs about anything. Bird played with a bad back in the latter stages of his career. He did his damage in a rough and tumble Eastern Conference. He probably would have had more rings if it wasn't for us along with considering we gifted him one in 1984. I respect James' game and overall accomplishments BUT having seen Bird in his prime I'd take the latter every day and twice on Sundays. Just my opinion...
LeBron has now drawn up to him I think just in terms of pure accomplishments and accolades. The years will never remember the details and so it'll be widely accepted LeBron is better. I think LeBron is a more naturally gifted player and a good guy, but he has lacked the killer instinct for so long... If he had Bird's mentality LeBron would have 5 or 6 rings by now.
James is the better athlete but to me I agree with you that when it comes down to it...he's really a puss.
Agree, I was just watching the Iverson over Lue walkover, and it made me think of the Lebron walk over Green. I think they both show a lot. Iverson beats Lue with skill, cool as the other side of the pillow makes a jumper and walks over Lue who falls without Iverson laying a hand on him. Lebron, pushes Green over, has no referee comment till Lebron walks over Green, and then cries to the ref to get Green suspended during an elimination game. One of these things is cooler than the other. I understand Lebron did well. He deserved the final MVP. But what about letting a series fall to 3-1 makes this final great. Historic turnaround, but inept start. I still feel the Warriors crumbled but admit the pressure did come from the Cavs. Bron played the old Hulk Hogan comeback, and everybody loved it. Would loved to have seen a Kobe, Lebron finals a few years ago.
Kevin Love can be grateful he won a ring, and that Lebron stops cursing at him and calling him Mario when he gets angry.
LeBron said he wants to surpass MJ. He finally admitted he wants to dethrone him and be like him. He doesn't have individual competition like Kobe and MJ Magic and Larry. No one in the current NBA can rival him so his quest to dethroning him just might happen.
And I will be the most saltiest bitter person to ever praise him for it lol! Also no wonder he cosigned doing Spacejam 2, he really wants to take MJ's spot.
He's very different from MJ and at this stage I'd say he's not going to pass Jordan. He needs 4 more rings before the wheels fall off... I don't see that happening. Not to mention that being witnesses and all, we've seen LeBron shrink from the moment almost his entire career. He FINALLY had an MJ type playoffs performance this last year, but every year before that he was absolutely rescued by all his teammates as they carried the load in the playoffs.
He's a stat stuffer like no other, but crunch time his limited offensive arsenal and Beta personality is exposed. Instead of taking the bull by the horns, he hides behind making "the right basketball play."
Bosh was important in their win against OKC, Allen rescued him when they played San Antonio and Irving came alive in last season's Finals.
James was instrumental in the last three games of the Finals when Iguodala's back locked up on him and Green did the bonehead stunt with his one game suspension which shifted momentum.
Agree... James took advantage of whoever was covering him at that point. Barnes and Livingston were ineffective stopping him. The one thing I can give credit James for is that he has never in or caused trouble off the court. Domestic abuse, drugs, gambling, parking in unauthorized spaces, straying martially, tax evasion...issues that have dogged other high profile athletes in all sports. Of course, we are not going to discuss the DeLonte West incident whether true or not... Yes, James has three cookies now to 24's five.