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I think it is all generational, if it wasn't for these pioneers would Basketball be what it is today if it wasn't for Michael Jordan single handedly changing the way the game was played? Guys like Lebron and Kobe grew up watching and idolising MJ as well, so in a way you can say MJ helped shape the game to what it is today. Who would know if Lebron would be as dominate and as good if he never had an MJ to idolise on his walls and try to be like Mike as well, who knows if he would've even picked up a basketball.
I think MJ had changed the game so much that people see the greatness in what he has done.
jw

LOL Bruce Lee was a legend too.. it was he who created and brought his style of fighting to the world...
He also learnt from renowned masters himself and it takes a lot of discipline to learn what he does.

These days MMA is great too, you put the likes of GSP in the cage with Bruce Lee and GSP will prolly come out on top cos fighting has been revolutionized. Its like with anything... as time passes.. technology, understanding and technique all get improved..

But what makes Bruce Lee and MJ so great is that they brought their respective abilities to the world.. of course with the help of some hungry money making corporations.. still that should not discredit the hard yards they put in beforehand.

Long day at work.... At the moment I just hate everyone! Hate, angry, tired and hungry! I really hate dealing with stupid people. I don't know why I am writing this but it does relieve some stress.

Last edited by datzilla at 6/2/2011 3:51:31 AM

Is Lebron better than Jordan?

No.

Case closed. End of story. Move along, nothing more to see here.

I think it is all generational, if it wasn't for these pioneers would Basketball be what it is today if it wasn't for Michael Jordan single handedly changing the way the game was played? Guys like Lebron and Kobe grew up watching and idolising MJ as well, so in a way you can say MJ helped shape the game to what it is today. Who would know if Lebron would be as dominate and as good if he never had an MJ to idolise on his walls and try to be like Mike as well, who knows if he would've even picked up a basketball.
I think MJ had changed the game so much that people see the greatness in what he has done.
jw

Koops you made a similar point so I'll respond to you here too.

These are all extremely valid points and I understand completely. I don't (edit: I wrote "don't" twice) disagree but what about the question.....

If you were choosing an all-time dream team, who would you pick first?

Last edited by Axis123 at 6/2/2011 5:06:44 AM

There is a really funny video of Steven J Smith going crazy about Scottie Pippen suggesting Lebron may be better than MJ. I don't know if anyone watched as much of him as me but I remember deciding to follow the Bulls when MJ was young pre-Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant and had to watch Detroid smash us every year. I even subscribed to Pontel tapes so saw so so so many games while he was in his prime.

People forget what an amazing defender he was. One of the reasons for the Bulls great success was not just his scoring but the defence of the Bulls. Just like with Miami now, Chicago was an incredible scoring team. How do you think all those Jordan, Pippen and Harper fast breaks came about?

All NBA defender multiple times. Better than Lebron in his position but Lebron can guard a wider range of players, I would say very similar standard overall.

Best scorer ever with the possible exception of Wilt.

The one area where Lebron may win is in passing but don't forget if you have a choice to pass the ball to Dennis Rodman, Luc Longley or shoot it yourself it is quite different from passing to Chris Bosh or Udonis Haslem.

Awesome analysis and addition!

Everyone

As may be increasingly obvious, I'm struggling to find much time for BB atm. It would be much appreciated if someone could pick up the West MVP awards - I'm a couple of weeks behind.

I may be able to help out with them later in the season, but there is no way I can handle them myself atm.

Now that's a tough one hahah So to be elligible to be selected I assume they would have had to have played in a dream team right? here I go. GOing to only pick players in their primary position as well.

1st Team
PG - Magic Johnson
SG - Michael Jordan
SF - Scottie Pippen
PF - Larry Bird
C - Hakeem Olajuwon

2nd Team
PG - John Stockton
SG - Kobe Bryant
SF - LeBron James
PF - Tim Duncan
C - Shaquille O'Neil

Now that's a tough one hahah So to be elligible to be selected I assume they would have had to have played in a dream team right? here I go. GOing to only pick players in their primary position as well.

1st Team
PG - Magic Johnson
SG - Michael Jordan
SF - Scottie Pippen
PF - Larry Bird
C - Hakeem Olajuwon

2nd Team
PG - John Stockton
SG - Kobe Bryant
SF - LeBron James
PF - Tim Duncan
C - Shaquille O'Neil

Wilt?

I think JW's list is purely 1980s onwards which is fair enough. I lack knowledge of players like Oscar Robertson (averaged a triple double one season) and Wilt and Jerry West etc to really judge them fairly.

Also there has been a lot of debate in the Dirk v Bird debate about what their positions actually are. I think the majority opinion is that Bird was a SF (McHail PF and Parish {used to be my nicname at one time} C). While Dirk is more like a SG in offence who happens to be 7" and in defence just takes the other teams worst front line player.

As for JW's team I would agree with Magic as number one but wow the choices for number two are insane. Stock-cube is an obvious candidate. But what about Gary Payton, much much better defender than Stockton and nasty as hell? How about Chris Paul - best fantasy BB pick for about 4 seasons? Worst manager and coach ever but as a player Isiah Thomas was something special and has two championships to Stockton's none.

For C's if it is just the 1980s on you still have to consider Kareem, he was just unstoppable until the late 1980s which was insane as he was pushing 40 and once again don't forget all those rings. Even David Robinson and Patrick Ewing must rate a mention but I guess there is no way I would pick them over Hakeem, but also no way I would pick a 21 year old Hakeem over Abdul-Jabbar or Shaq - both 100% unguardable in their primes.