Kyrie Irving

[godfather]

In fairness, I think Lebron is safely ahead of the Hick from French Lick. I don't think there's a winning argument on Larry's side in that debate.

Unless "DERP 3 RINGS!!!"

I think Larry deserves to be there. The East was ridiculously tough in his era. I know he just has 3 rings (which is still a lot), and his teams were clearly great. But it was tough getting out of the East.

And he's as complete of a player we've ever seen. There's no debate he's a better shooter than LeBron. His post game was outstanding, and an underrated defender (not suggesting he's as good as LB on that end). He was a better rebounder, and as good of a passer IMO.

I used to have Bird ahead of him, but I give the edge to LeBron now all-time.

I think Bird makes a case, but I'd give it to LeBron.

My issue with LeBron being the greatest of all-time, is that he has weaknesses in his game. I mean, not throughout his career he's had them, but majority of his career they've been there.

At times he's struggled to hit free throws, and with his jump shot. We are splitting hairs, I mean he's clearly great and among the greatest. If I were to make a case against him, I'd point to that.

We got to look at longevity, not just a small gap where he's been exceptional or at least good at those things.

His prime Miami days he was the complete package though.

 

[godfather]

I dunno how people forget this, but the contest isn't between Jordan, Wilt, and Magic. It's between Jordan and Kareem. And I don't think LeBron ends up better than either of those two.

Agree. Kareem to me is the second best of all-time. You can't leave out centers, when they forever dominated this league.

Kareem is as complete as it gets at the position.

 

[Steve_424]

Probably true, but, remember when everyone was still saying Kobe was the best player in the league even when LeBron was doing everything better than him? Kobe had the better team, and didn't need to do as much, and ended up with the Championship a couple of those seasons; but we need to recognize players who are out there getting it done on the floor not admiring what they might do under other circumstances.

And looking at it that way, it's really not even close, Curry is far and away the best player in the league, right now.

If it's getting it done on the floor I'll go with the guy who has led his team to 5 straight NBA Finals appearances with his latest averaging 35.8 PPG, 8.8 APG, 13.3 RPG while the "far and away best player" struggled for large parts of the series, failing to pick up a Finals MVP vote despite having Delly cover him for 5 of the 6 games.

We can agree to disagree though.

 

[cavsfever]

This is the Kyrie thread, but as long as we're on it...

I think Lebron already has an excellent case for being in the top 5 of all time. No one in the modern era has combined facilitating, scoring, post play, and guard play as well as he has. He is the most complete player of the modern era and overall he has been a winner despite his Finals record.

Best player of all time is much more questionable unless he does a lot more, as in being the clearly best player on multiple additional championship teams.

As for having a few holes in his game, sure, but remember that people talk about Kobe as top 10 of all time, and he has ton of holes in his game and always has.

 

[Ohio]

Curry was locked by Delly until he ended up in the hospital...

 

[Damien O'Connel]

I did defend it. All you can do is make fun of grammar.

What argument...where? You can't even name the 10 players you think are better.

Gotta step it up if you're going to be contributing to this board, or you'll have a bad time.

 

[elcheato]

If it's getting it done on the floor I'll go with the guy who has led his team to 5 straight NBA Finals appearances with his latest averaging 35.8 PPG, 8.8 APG, 13.3 RPG while the "far and away best player" struggled for large parts of the series, failing to pick up a Finals MVP vote despite having Delly cover him for 5 of the 6 games.

We can agree to disagree though.

Curry averaged 26/6/5 on .443/.385/.885 during the finals, even with that dreadful 5-23 shooting performance in Game 2, he should have won MVP over Iguodala.

 

[godfather]

True, his two best 3 point shooting (%) seasons were 95-97, when the 3 point line was shortened to 22 feet.

But if required of him to adapt, I believe he would have willed himself to significantly improve that facet of his game.

If Jordan played today, he would have expanded his range and been a pretty good 3 point shooter.

He played in an era where the 3 point shot wasn't as significant.

The floor spacing style of game, would have Jordan excelling.

The guy averaged over 30 a game with Longley and Rodman as his starting front line. That's unthinkable today.

 

[Rainman]

Had to check twice to see if this is a Kyrie thread.

 

[Mr. Blonde]

So why is lebron over Duncan and shaq?

We're talking top 5 here.

 

[Jon]

If it's getting it done on the floor I'll go with the guy who has led his team to 5 straight NBA Finals appearances with his latest averaging 35.8 PPG, 8.8 APG, 13.3 RPG while the "far and away best player" struggled for large parts of the series, failing to pick up a Finals MVP vote despite having Delly cover him for 5 of the 6 games.

We can agree to disagree though.

LeBron was even less impressive in his first finals - and the trick for any superstar is adapting their performance to the opponent such that their team still comes out on top. I'm just saying we need to credit players for what they do the entire season.

LeBron finally goes full tilt in the finals? That was great, but he lacked the stamina to carry what was left of the team on his back through a 7 game series - so it was kind of futile.

Anyway, why are we talking about James in the Kyrie thread?

 

[Omar The Horse]

So why is lebron over Duncan and shaq?

We're talking top 5 here.

Stop derailing this thread.

 

[Otsego Mar]

Maybe now he's ready to return.... Maybe baby?

 

[Mr. Blonde]

Stop derailing this thread.

Ok.

 

[The Red Viper]

People still falling for Mr Bonde's baits?