Grahaml wrote:Gozu wrote:Grahaml wrote:If you were building a basketballer, he'd look like James, no doubt. But the speed of the bloke is amazing given his size. Compared to Jordan, James is better in every regard other than shooting. He's a brilliant passer, probably the best defender going too, and rebounds everything he gets near.
He perhaps isn't the greatest shooter, but in high school when the scouts all rocked up to watch one night he went 7/7 from outside. Career 33% shooter from 3 as well. Given he's usually under a lot of pressure and has been the one to take the shot with the clock winding down on every team he's played in that's decent.
Of the players who play/played a similar role, Bryant shoots 34% and Jordan himself was at 33%.
I'm not sure I put him past Jordan just yet, but I have always thought he was a strong chance to pass him in the end. I'd say he's on the verge of joinin Bird and Johnson right now in the grand sceme of things.
What you're forgetting is Jordan had a lot more talent than LeBron. Jordan also had a better leap and was like watching a ballerina on a basketball court. I've never seen anyone come close to MJ really. LeBron's just the best going around at the moment. Jordan was a far better scorer, defender, passer you name it. Let me know whenever LeBron averages 35ppg, leads the league in steals and wins both MVP and defensive player of the year in the same season let alone six championships and six finals MVP's.
I think you might have missed the point to an extent and you're also remembering Jordan as something he wasn't. Passing wasn't something that was natural for Jordan, he had to learn to become a passer. Athletically James wins, so I don't even know why you mention the leap part. Jordan was also a fine defender, just not as versatile as LeBron.
Nobody is disputing Jordan's ability to score. But what LeBron brings is an all round game that even Jordan didn't have. LeBron is 26, Jordan didn't have a title to his name until he was 28. LeBron has 2 league MVPs, Jordan had 1 at the same age. You simply cannot dispute the fact that LeBron is challenging his mantle as greatest of all time. You can dispute Pippen's assertion James is the better overall player as I have done, by all means. But don't get carried away by your own nonsense.
I could rattle off a bunch of things that James has done that Jordan did and claim that to be the measure of the greater player. Luckily I have a little more sense than apaprently you do.
Jordan was never a great defender to begin, he had to work on it and put endless hours in to improve . Phil Jackson is quoted saying this several times, His passing was not spectacular and he didn't have the rebounding sense of LeBron.
Lebrons passing is amazing, his playmaking ability and court vision is exceptional, he is not a great shooter. Jordan was. He is a great defender, mainly thanks to his size and speed, Jordan worked to become the best after he realized it was a floor in his game. James has a long way to go to earn greatness, but in my opinion i think the "you have to win championships to be a legend" theory is a joke.
You just cant compare the 2, because it was different era's with different styles. Its like comparing Wilt to Shaq, Wilts numbers stand atop, but yet many consider Shaq the most dominant center ever.
Next we will be comparing Larry Bird to Dirk, oh wait . . . . . . .
put Barkley back in his place.
