Lebron at age 22, better than Jordan was at same age?

isetcap · 05-31-07, 11:26 PM

Pretty much the same player. James is stronger and Jordan was more polished but the results are fairly similar. Lebron's goal should be nothing less than win championships because the talent level is equivalent.

rjt721 · 05-31-07, 11:44 PM

Lebron's a better overall player than MJ at age 22. Lebron's a much better passer, better ballhandler and slightly better outside shooter - Jordan's jumper was nonexistent early in his career. MJ was a better defensive player and also more consistent at getting to the rim, as Lebron too often settles for contested perimeter jumper's. As iset says, LBJ is also much stronger.

Dark Horse · 05-31-07, 11:46 PM

LeBron definitely surprised me tonight. But I don't think he can perform at this level consistently. Reason: both LeBron and Jordan can get to the basket, but where MJ had a good midrange jumper, Lebron shoots from the 3-pt line. Tonight those shots fell. Next time chances are they won't.

Without a midrange jumper Lebron is too predictable. When he goes to the basket he typically forces his way through, but all the while the defense knows he won't stop on a dime for a jump shot. MJ was much harder to defend, because he had both options on his way to the hoop.

onlooker · 05-31-07, 11:49 PM

At the age, Lebron is all around better. This is coming from a big Jordan fan. Like RJT said, Jordan didn't have a outside shot before all those championships.

Lebron will get his first championship this year.

bigboydan · 05-31-07, 11:52 PM

I think the better comparison would be Lebron/Kobe.

Face facts guys... There will NEVER be another Jordan in our lifetimes.

Dark Horse · 05-31-07, 11:55 PM

Originally posted by onlòóker

Lebron will get his first championship this year.

You ARE talking about a conference championship, right?

Otherwise I want the bet...

onlooker · 05-31-07, 11:56 PM

Originally posted by bigboydan

I think the better comparison would be Lebron/Kobe.

Can we really compare that? Didn't Kobe come off the bench his first few years? I'm not really sure on that.

Then coattail Shaq to 3 rings. Lebron is doing this pretty much on his own.

Hell, right now. Kobe is confused on if he wants to play for the Lakers or not.

austintx05 · 05-31-07, 11:57 PM

Originally posted by bigboydan

I think the better comparison would be Lebron/Kobe.

Face facts guys... There will NEVER be another Jordan in our lifetimes.

FINALLY!

Bron is still searching for the same type of shoe laces that Jordan strapped on.

again...Jordan has 6 rings....lets se how many Bron has when it is all said and done...

Bron gets 7, I change my mind

austintx05 · 05-31-07, 11:58 PM

here is a question for yas...and if you watched the game tonight you will know the answer.

Who is the only player in NBA history to avg 20ppg and win a ring under the age of 23?

Bill Dozer · 06-01-07, 12:01 AM

My guess is if the Cavs make it out of Detroit a Spurs sweep is the favorite for the series prop. The Cavs looked like Lebron's HS team needing him to get the ball over half court. If your go to play is a fade away almost-3 over a double team it's going to be a short series.

How about the analysts ripping into Coach Brown? Could he coach the team all the way to finals and get fired? They are winning despite him.

onlooker · 06-01-07, 12:06 AM

Spurs won't sweep either one of these Eastern teams. You take the prop Bill, you might as well send that money to me with next month's check.

rjt721 · 06-01-07, 12:18 AM

Originally posted by austintx05

here is a question for yas...and if you watched the game tonight you will know the answer.

Who is the only player in NBA history to avg 20ppg and win a ring under the age of 23?

Kobe.

I think Kobe was actually the best of the three at age 22. By far the best perimeter shooter, and the biggest difference, Kobe was one of the top 2-3 perimeter defenders in the league at 22. Although Kobe still regularly makes first-team all defense, he is nowhere near the same defender he was in his early 20's.

DrunkenLullaby · 06-01-07, 12:30 AM

Originally posted by austintx05

FINALLY!

Bron is still searching for the same type of shoe laces that Jordan strapped on.

again...Jordan has 6 rings....lets se how many Bron has when it is all said and done...

Bron gets 7, I change my mind

Finally someone who agrees with me that Satch Sanders & Frank Ramsey are both better than Jordan! Well, based on that all-important ring criteria they are anyway...

imgv94 · 06-01-07, 01:12 AM

Originally posted by rjt721

Kobe.

I think Kobe was actually the best of the three at age 22. By far the best perimeter shooter, and the biggest difference, Kobe was one of the top 2-3 perimeter defenders in the league at 22. Although Kobe still regularly makes first-team all defense, he is nowhere near the same defender he was in his early 20's.

I agree 100% with this statement. Kobe used to be sick on defense.. He is still good but he doesn't have the accleration like he used to..

Good eye rjt

rjt721 · 06-01-07, 01:23 AM

Originally posted by imgv94

I agree 100% with this statement. Kobe used to be sick on defense.. He is still good but he doesn't have the accleration like he used to..

Good eye rjt

Nice to see you back imgv.

austintx05 · 06-01-07, 01:24 AM

Originally posted by rjt721

Nice to see you back imgv.

I second that!

imgv94 · 06-01-07, 01:35 AM

Thanks guys.. Good Luck with your bets

jjgold · 06-01-07, 06:02 AM

Its close between Kobe and Lebron

Lebron just so much better of an all around player though at same age.

isetcap · 06-02-07, 11:22 PM

First 4 years in the NBA...

Playoff Record
Jordan 5-15 (0 Finals appearances)
James 20-8 (1 Finals appearance)

DrunkenLullaby · 06-02-07, 11:42 PM

Originally posted by isetcap

First 4 years in the NBA...

Playoff Record
Jordan 5-15 (0 Finals appearances)
James 20-8 (1 Finals appearance)

Ginobili 45-26 (2 Finals appearances, 2 NBA titles)

...so this proves what?

rjt721 · 06-03-07, 12:01 AM

Originally posted by DrunkenLullaby

Ginobili 45-26 (2 Finals appearances, 2 NBA titles)

...so this proves what?

Ginobili 45-26 - proves that Manu plays for the best coach in the league, and with Duncan and Parker.

Lebron 20-8 - proves that LBJ, despite playing for one of the worst coaches in the league, is for real, even though the EC is mostly garbage.

isetcap · 06-03-07, 12:05 AM

Originally posted by DrunkenLullaby

Ginobili 45-26 (2 Finals appearances, 2 NBA titles)

...so this proves what?

Oh, I'm sorry. I thought the title of the thread was referencing a comparison between Michael Jordan and Lebron James. I neglected to notice the White Text of Manu Ginobili.

The reason playoff records are listed is because it has been commented by many that both Jordan and James have similar skillsets and leadership capabilities, but the argument seems to be that Lebron lacks the drive that made Jordan such a great Champion. Based on a review of their performances in the first 4 years of their careers, I don't see anything that leads me to believe that Lebron is not capable of exceeding the accomplishments of MJ.

Now if you're really serious about your boy Manu, let me know and I'll quickly detail the exact reasons why he's not a part of this discussion. I think you probably know them already, though.

DrunkenLullaby · 06-03-07, 12:37 AM

Of course Manu's not in the class of these guys, but I was just pointing out how ridiculous it is to try and quote a single statistic, ANY single statistic, and claim it settles this debate.

Both are/were great. I think Magic was better than both of them and I never saw Wilt but acknowledge he was probably "the best"...but I also think that it's pretty inane to debate who is "the best". Each player has a different skill set and each person determines the skill set that they deem makes one player "better" or "the best" (as I do with Magic).

No-one can prove themselves right or someone else wrong, it's totally subjective.