What do you think about Lebron James?

[Guest Kahran Ramsus]

I'd rather have Carmelo. I don't have anything against James. It is Nike & ESPN that bug me.

[Guest kkktookmybabyaway]

The media will crap their pants after James scores only 10 points in the season opener and rate him the biggest bust ever.

 

This, of course, will change the next game when he scores 30.

 

Actually, I hope he has a long and fruitful career, but if he doesn't I'll still try to sleep at night knowing he only has a eight-figure shoe deal...

[Guest shaqaustin34]

The problem is everybody is blaming Lebron James for geting all that hype, but you shouldn't blaime im for that you should blame the media. And when the media is comparing Lebron James to Magic Johnson and all those other good player they're not saying that Lebron James would be like that in his first year, they are saying he will be like that in the future and they're saying that he will have a great future in NBA.

 

So just because the media is talking about him so much and he is getting a lot of hype, that's not his fault and you shouldn't hat him for that, you should hate the media for that. And just because you're tired of hearing him about it you shouldn't hate him, that's not his fault.

 

Also you can't except Lebron James to carry the Cavaliers to the playoffs, that's just too much of a task for a kid like that, specially not on his rookie year. Besides one player can't change the whole course of team by himself, he has to get help from his teamemates and the coach, specially for a sorry team like Cavalier.

[Guest Dangerous A]

I won't know if I like him or not until I see him play. I see the backlash here on the board because the media has shoved him down our throats and we are regurgitating him, but I need to see a guy play before I decide to pass judgment. I've only seen him in the high school all star games and he has potential up the wahzoo. Lets see if it plays out first.

[Guest ErekT2k]

Magic also joined a good team, which Lebron hasn't.

 

Magic didn't take a basement team with lack of talent and direction to the Championship in his first year.

 

If Lebron in his first season is able to get the lowly Cavs into the playoffs yet alone win the championship he'll be the greatest that ever played.

 

Magic came in as a rookie and won the championship only partly because he joined a good team. You forget that as a rookie, he was playing against the likes of Dr. J, Moses, and all those other greats that knew how to play the team game. I'm not ripping into Shaq, Tim Duncan and company, but you know what I mean. The old school players would eat these new guys alive.

 

And I wouldn't say Cleveland has lack of talent. They've got talent there, Davis, Miles, the Z Center. They've got an all star in their center whose name I can't spell. It's not lack of talent. It's lack of direction.

 

Now that they got Silas, I expect them to make the playoffs. All the hype deserves some backing up.

[Guest BobbyWhioux]

Part of it is my general ambivalence to basketball in general, but...

 

I really don't care much. Sure, I've noticed (how could you not notice the hype?) But I don't really care. Preseason scrimmage games mean nothing. Especially in this case, because they are there to showcase him. These are his squash matches, intended to put him over as The New Star.

 

Yawn. As Chuck D once advised us: "Don't Believe The Hype." Wait 'till he's gotten on the court and played a couple of REAL games.

 

He is overrated. Why? Because it is impossible to live up to this messianic level of hype that he's been getting from ESPN and the Nike Marketing department. Especially not his first year.

 

I don't begrudge him. I'm not even tired of hearing about him (becuase I was barely listening in the first place). I just think a lot of sportswriters and Nike executives are falling all over themselves over this guy and setting themselves up to make themselves look rather foolish in the process.

 

The sad thing is LeBron is going to have to pay the price for this hype; when he doesn't begin his career pulling down 40 point nights and doesn't singlehandedly carry the Cavs to respectabilty and the playoffs, these same people are gonna prematurely cry bust and try to weasel out of paying him all the megabucks they stupidly threw in his direction in the first place.

 

I kinda hope he busts, but not because of any problem with him. I just wanna see him flop AND STILL cash in all the money Nike and The Cavs are giving him, so that I can laugh mockingly at the NBA and Nike, while LeBron chuckles all the way to the bank, and maybe goes to college and makes a well rounded and educated man of himself, maybe gives back a bunch of that cash to his community, giving other kids like him a better chance, stuff like that.

[Guest ErekT2k]

Well said, Bob.

 

One thing to add though, I remember the media making a big deal just because Lebron, Carmelo, and some rookies beat the veterans in Magic's charity basketball game. They made it such a big deal because oh, Lebron led a team past Pierce, Payton, Artest, and other stars.

 

They were so busy sucking up to Lebron that they forgot the most important fact: the veterans weren't playing for real. Payton barely played at all. More hype for Lebron.

[Guest Ripper]

Wait aminute now, they were hyping Anthony just as much for that game...

 

And barring injury, I just think it will be impossible for this kid to be a bust. he has the skills to be great one day.

[Guest El Satanico]

Cavs have an all-star center? Who the inconsistent and often injured Ilgauskas? Davis their best current player is a head case that may be traded so he can't be a bad influence on Lebron. Miles had a terrible season this past season and has been mentioned in trade rumors. I'd say that's questionable talent there.

 

However, the Cavs do have some potential talent that good coaching and direction could bring out. Silas may be what the Cavs need right now, but he can't turn them around in his first year even with Lebron.

 

Also I don't believe the media comparing him to Magic means they are saying he's going to be as good as Magic in his first game or even first season. Most reputable sports media outlets are referring to his high potential to be great.

 

With that said, the general media has started to buy into the hype so much that they have started to blur that line between potential to be great and guaranteed to be great. However, in the beginning ESPN and the reputable sports media sources were hyping up his potential to be great.

[Guest shaqaustin34]

Also I don't believe the media comparing him to Magic means they are saying he's going to be as good as Magic in his first game or even first season. Most reputable sports media outlets are referring to his high potential to be great.

I agree with you on that 100%. They are just comparing him to Magic Johnson to show the people that he will be a good player in the future, probably not as good as Magic, but also he probably will be as good as Magic Johnson, but like you said, El Satanico, it won't in his first season the people just have to be patient.

 

In the future Lebron James will probably be as good as Magic, probably even as good as Michael Jordan, that's just my opinion.

 

Another thing on my abouve post I blamed the media a lot, but when you think about they should not get so much blame for this hype, because the media said, "he has potential to be a great player," the key word is "to be" so they're not saying that he will start of by being a real good basketball player they're saying he will be a great basketball player. You see the difference. But the media should steel get most of the blame.

[Guest Ripper]

Every 6'7-6'8 point guard will be compared to Magic. Lebron, Jalen Rose was, Penny Hardaway. Thats the comparison...big and can play the point.

[Guest ErekT2k]

They are just comparing him to Magic Johnson to show the people that he will be a good player in the future, probably not as good as Magic, but also he probably will be as good as Magic Johnson

 

I have no idea what you mean there.

 

Cavs have an all-star center? Who the inconsistent and often injured Ilgauskas?

 

I remember clearly he was at the all star game, getting introduced in the weird way where little kids are dancing around the aisle. Miles has one terrible season and you're saying he has questionable talent already. They're not going to trade Davis, btw.

 

The media is blurred, I agree. Most of them are saying that he's already the savior, and him showing up at the drafts wearing custom made white suits doesn't help negate that. I remember during the finals, on the ESPN website, there was a story about how bad the ratings are, but David Stern is happy because Lebron is here to save the day.

 

One opinion I must get out though, he's not going to be as good as Magic was. If he becomes better, more props to him. But I seriously doubt it. And you can't compare Lebron to Michael. MJ is not the best basketball player in history. Period. You can thank the media for putting that idea in the common mind.

[Guest Ripper]

Magic>MJ

 

Kareem>MJ

 

Wilt>MJ

 

and I could do more but I think that is enough for now.

 

I still say comparisons began and end with size. People compaired Carter to MJ because he is a 6'7" 2 guard that dunked on people. People will compare Lebron to Magic because he is a 6' 8"(?) point guard. That is all.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Every 6'7-6'8 point guard will be compared to Magic. Lebron, Jalen Rose was, Penny Hardaway. Thats the comparison...big and can play the point.

The difference will be if James actually plays the point like Magic did. None of those players really did, to the extent that Magic did.

[Guest NaturalBornThriller4:20]

*CoughCarmeloAnthonyCough*

 

Just me, i'd rather have Melo on my team...

[Guest ErekT2k]

Magic>MJ

 

Kareem>MJ

 

Wilt>MJ

 

I'll give some too-

 

Bird > MJ

Thomas > MJ

Russell > MJ

 

Maybe not so sure on the last one, but Russell still gave consistent performances against the likes of Wilt.

[Ripper 0]

Every 6'7-6'8 point guard will be compared to Magic.  Lebron, Jalen Rose was, Penny Hardaway.  Thats the comparison...big and can play the point.

The difference will be if James actually plays the point like Magic did. None of those players really did, to the extent that Magic did.

Penny did at first and Lebron IS the starting point so those two are exceptions.

 

And Jalen Rose played like a point his first few years until Larry Bird told him to stop being a bitch and shoot the ball. Someone needs to tell him he can stop now.

[Jesse Badass 0]

How the hell are you going to say that he will be better than MJ? Have you seen him play in a real NBA game yet? Have you watched him play vs. the all-stars yet? I don't think anybody has.

 

Why is the media making a big deal off L James? Because thy make MONEY that way. That's one of them stuff people like to talk about After all, he is getting drafted out of High School.

[ant_7000 0]

lol@the people that mention players that they think is better than MJ. As for LeBron he'll do fine, he average 15 pts in the summer league, yea I know thats not real comp but those players had more experience than him coming from college and other pro leagues. The Cavs will have sick squad:

 

PG: LBJ

SG: Wagner

SF: Davis

PF: Boozer

C. Big Z

6th man: Miles

7th: Bremer

 

They might make the playoffs depends on Big Z (healthy) and Ricky Davis (attitude) consider how weak the East is.

Edited August 8, 2003 by ant_7000

[Guest The Grand Pubah of 1620]

lol@the people that mention players that they think is better than MJ.

I think most logical people,(no stab intended), agree that MJ is "the" man. So he really doesn't count unless you compare him directly to MJ.

 

See what I mean?

[Ripper 0]

Well, The media calls MJ the greatest so of course you name him as the guy that the others are better than.

 

Magic Johnson= 5 championships in 11 REAL seasons (he came back for parts of 2 seasons, but we don't count that) and he got them against REAL competition (Name ONE team from the 90's that could fuck with the Pistons, Celtics, Blazers, 84 Rockets, 83 Sixers, shit even the Hawks and Bucks of the 80's)

 

Kareem Abdul Jabbar= All time leading scorer, second all time in blocks, second all time in rebounds, 6 NBA championships.

 

Wilt Chamberlain= What do I even have to say.

 

Michael Jordan= 6 NBA championships in 15 (or 16) NBA seasons 3 against the weakest league ever...Got alot of highlights.

 

 

Anyone want to tell me why MJ is suppose to be the best besides the media telling you.

[ant_7000 0]

^ No growing its not the media telling me that MJ the best player, growing up in the Chicago area I pretty much saw MJ games on a regular basis. Let's see didn't MJ team beat Magic's team in the 91 Finals? Beat a deep Portland Squad that went to the finals 2 years before and took it to the Pistons. Wilt Chamberlain was only good because there wasn't anybody that was big as him, and if he was so dominant then why does he only have two rings?

 

Larry Bird? lol He can only shoot jumpshots, had decent handles, and a good passer but thats all, if it wasn't for those deep Boston Teams he played with, he wouldn't been able to carry a team by himself. Same goes for Bill Russell thats why he only avg 15 pts in his career. Magic was good and can do it all but MJ could too and better.

 

MJ could've broken Kareem's scoring title if he didn't retire twice, What do I have to say? MJ 6 rings, 6 or 7 scoring titles, 50% FG shooter, 8X all defense. And you say MJ is overrated lol.

[Ripper 0]

^ No growing its not the media telling me that MJ the best player, growing up in the Chicago area I pretty much saw MJ games on a regular basis. Let's see didn't MJ team beat Magic's team in the 91 Finals? Beat a deep Portland Squad that went to the finals 2 years before and took it to the Pistons. Wilt Chamberlain was only good because there wasn't anybody that was big as him, and if he was so dominant then why does he only have two rings?

 

Larry Bird? lol He can only shoot jumpshots, had decent handles, and a good passer but thats all, if it wasn't for those deep Boston Teams he played with, he wouldn't been able to carry a team by himself. Same goes for Bill Russell thats why he only avg 15 pts in his career. Magic was good and can do it all but MJ could too and better.

 

MJ could've broken Kareem's scoring title if he didn't retire twice, What do I have to say? MJ 6 rings, 6 or 7 scoring titles, 50% FG shooter, 8X all defense. And you say MJ is overrated lol.

Yeah...Jordans team did beat Magic in his 11th year in the league. I do believe that Magic retired after that also.

 

Jordan and the Bulls were the East BITCHES until everyone started to get old and injuries started to take their toll. Birds back and Mchales back, the breaking up of the Pistons for no reason.

 

And like I said, those last 3 championships was against the most pathetic league I have ever seen.

 

And calling Bird JUST a jump shooter is ridiculous. Jordan= 7 years to win a championship. Bird=2. Bird took a HORRIBLE Boston team and took them to the finals in 2 years. Jordan took ahorrible bulls team...and they stayed horrible for a few years.

 

And while Jordan was probably one of the greatest off the ball defenders ever, you can't place him above the all time shot blocker and rebounder.

 

Jordan NEVER beat a GREAT team...the closest would be the Blazers who lucked up and beat the Suns by 1 in game seven in 92 to get to the finals. Guys like Magic and Bird and Chamberlain beat GREAT teams and they get shoved back for the guy that could sell more shoes.

[Guest ErekT2k]

^ No growing its not the media telling me that MJ the best player, growing up in the Chicago area I pretty much saw MJ games on a regular basis. Let's see didn't MJ team beat Magic's team in the 91 Finals? Beat a deep Portland Squad that went to the finals 2 years before and took it to the Pistons. Wilt Chamberlain was only good because there wasn't anybody that was big as him, and if he was so dominant then why does he only have two rings?

 

Larry Bird? lol He can only shoot jumpshots, had decent handles, and a good passer but thats all, if it wasn't for those deep Boston Teams he played with, he wouldn't been able to carry a team by himself. Same goes for Bill Russell thats why he only avg 15 pts in his career. Magic was good and can do it all but MJ could too and better.

 

MJ could've broken Kareem's scoring title if he didn't retire twice, What do I have to say? MJ 6 rings, 6 or 7 scoring titles, 50% FG shooter, 8X all defense. And you say MJ is overrated lol.

 

Ripper has said most of it. The media has gotten to your head. For real basketball purists, we know that the 1990's competition didn't even compare to the 1980's. That was the era.

 

And yea, MJ's team beat Magic's team in 1991. I believe that was the year Magic announced he got HIV, and also because the Lakers team lost most of its components AND Pat Riley. So the Lakers have to lose their coach, Kareem, and I forget who else, so then they can lose to Jordan. Oh please, MJ is not that great. Scoring titles don't mean anything to me.

 

What's this? Bird only a shooter? Man you've really gotta get your facts straight. Anyone remember that famous steal?? HUH?!! Bird's won 3 championships and like Ripper said, he came and saved Boston. Boston sucked in the 70's.

 

And Bill Russell. By just saying he averages 15 points you say he sucks more than MJ. Why not count in the 15 rebounds per game too? And Bill Russell is doing this against the likes of Wilt and BR was like 6'9 only.

 

MJ got 6 rings, but look at the competition. Clyde Drexler and the Blazers, a Magic past his prime with no more Showtime, Charles Barkley?! The only championship I give him credibility for was against Malone/Stockton and Payton. MJ had to wait til everyone better than him got old so he could take over a league with no competition.

 

Don't forget Magic and Bird, they won championships when Dr. J and Moses Malone were in Philly.

 

And just to back up Ripper's point that the Bulls were the East bitches.... I remember a time the Bulls couldn't get past the 1st round....

[Ripper 0]

I still say you take away the pistons and lakers, the Celtics would have won 6-7 championships in the 80's.

 

Take away the Celtics and Pistons, the Lakers would have won 7-8.

 

 

Take away the Lakers or Celtics, the Pistons would have had 5-6.

 

Great competition is what stop those teams and players from getting even more notoriety.

 

And I'm not giving props to the Superchoker and Utah Jazz as viable opponents. They couldn't have touched 10-11 80's teams.

[Guest Mindless_Aggression]

There really is no clear cut answer to the best ever. They never all played against each other so we'll never know for sure. IMO Jordan gets most feared though. Yes it may have been all hype but you never really saw people go "Ah shit" when a Magic or Bird had the ball at the end of the game, at least not as consistently. Yes, Magic and Bird made huge shots and played big in important games, but you could see people damn near literally shitting themselves when Jordan had the ball in the final quarter. A lot of hype just getting into people's heads? Probably to a point but to be able to get that much hype in the first place is impressive.

 

But if you wanna just go buy pure stats, Wilt just murders everyone ever. I mean he could average double figures in anything that his team needed him to average double figures in. It was automatic.