newyorknewyork wrote:

crzymdups wrote:Lebron is absolutely top 5, anyone saying otherwise has an axe to grind. He's probably top 3 when all is said and done. He probably still has another 2-3 years of high level play in him... maybe longer.

The argument isn't if he is top 5. Its if he is the best ever. Which I feel he is.

The title of the thread asks whether he's top 5.

Best all-time? You have Michael, Kareem, and Lebron... I'd personally say Jordan and Bron are very close right now, but Jordan has a slight edge because of the six rings and the DPOY. Jordan might have won 8 in a row if he didn't take his leave of absence after his father was murdered (some have said he was suspended by Stern for the gambling that led to the death of his father).

Chandler wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote:

crzymdups wrote:Lebron is absolutely top 5, anyone saying otherwise has an axe to grind. He's probably top 3 when all is said and done. He probably still has another 2-3 years of high level play in him... maybe longer.

The argument isn't if he is top 5. Its if he is the best ever. Which I feel he is.

The title of the thread asks whether he's top 5.

Best all-time? You have Michael, Kareem, and Lebron... I'd personally say Jordan and Bron are very close right now, but Jordan has a slight edge because of the six rings and the DPOY. Jordan might have won 8 in a row if he didn't take his leave of absence after his father was murdered (some have said he was suspended by Stern for the gambling that led to the death of his father).

isn't Pippen on record saying Lebron is better. I think he is. Lebron can do anything to will a win -- last second blocked shot, hit a three, bull his way to the rim, get a rebound, shut down anyone on the opposing team for a possession or three. Sorry Jordan is great but not that great

Having said that, I'm still a softie for Bird and Magic because they transformed the players around them in a way which I have never seen close to repeated. Also need to throw props for Russell and Wilt

I think Bron transforms the way guys around him play, too. And I agree he can do anything to win. He's definitely close. I mean, if someone wants to call him the best ever, I think you can no longer really laugh at it. You can argue it, but he's certainly in the conversation. That last title sealed the deal for me. He's definitely top 3 for me... depending on the day, he might be no.1.

If I had a must win game that I could not possibly lose though? I'd take Jordan in his prime over Bron in his prime, which is why I still say MJ is my #1.

crzymdups wrote:

Chandler wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote:

crzymdups wrote:Lebron is absolutely top 5, anyone saying otherwise has an axe to grind. He's probably top 3 when all is said and done. He probably still has another 2-3 years of high level play in him... maybe longer.

The argument isn't if he is top 5. Its if he is the best ever. Which I feel he is.

The title of the thread asks whether he's top 5.

Best all-time? You have Michael, Kareem, and Lebron... I'd personally say Jordan and Bron are very close right now, but Jordan has a slight edge because of the six rings and the DPOY. Jordan might have won 8 in a row if he didn't take his leave of absence after his father was murdered (some have said he was suspended by Stern for the gambling that led to the death of his father).

isn't Pippen on record saying Lebron is better. I think he is. Lebron can do anything to will a win -- last second blocked shot, hit a three, bull his way to the rim, get a rebound, shut down anyone on the opposing team for a possession or three. Sorry Jordan is great but not that great

Having said that, I'm still a softie for Bird and Magic because they transformed the players around them in a way which I have never seen close to repeated. Also need to throw props for Russell and Wilt

I think Bron transforms the way guys around him play, too. And I agree he can do anything to win. He's definitely close. I mean, if someone wants to call him the best ever, I think you can no longer really laugh at it. You can argue it, but he's certainly in the conversation. That last title sealed the deal for me. He's definitely top 3 for me... depending on the day, he might be no.1.

If I had a must win game that I could not possibly lose though? I'd take Jordan in his prime over Bron in his prime, which is why I still say MJ is my #1.

You know it's funny you say that. Not sure how old you are, but when Bird and Magic were in their prime, we got to see it live. It wasn't a hypothetical Bron in his prime versus MJ in his prime or Kobe in his prime

Those guys were in their prime, surrounded by real talent and doing utterly utterly amazing things: Bird on his ass throwing a bounce pass between defender's leg half court; last second steals. Magic playing center because Kareem goes down. It's crazy to think of those days. There were lots of other very talented players in the league (Barkley, Houston-team, Malone/Stockton etc.) who would be superstars today who never had a real chance because Magic and Bird were so much better

I'll throw another curve ball at you. What about one must win game but Lebron has some iffy team like Clevland the first time around, and MJ same thing -- pre Pippen and Grant? I'm betting on Bron, but under this scenario I think Shaq, Wilt or Kareem actually is better