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Originally Posted by KevB
To add ---
Duncan, Dirk, Kobe, Garnett, Durant, Westbrook, Dwight, Rose, Curry, Paul, Griffin, Pierce, Rondo, etc., etc. Several in this list are or will be in the top 30 players all time when their careers end. Duncan, Dirk, Kobe are all top 10 - 20 players all time already.
And if anyone thinks that defenses from any era could deal with a 6'9, 270 athletic freak with handles, a decent shot, great vision and overall basketball insight then they're out of touch. And that's on the offensive end. If a defensive player was allowed to be more physical.....can you imagine trying to score with LeBron defending you?
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There were some phenomenal defenders in that era. Malone, Pippen, Rodman... lots of guys who could have made a great matchup against LeBron.
Yes, the handcheck rules are important. LeBron is a sure-handed ballhandler so it wouldn't lead to as many turnovers, but I can tell you a few things. If LeBron charged the lane, there would be bodies and enforcers sending him a message in ways you can't today. Handchecking would make it really hard to finish at the basket, which means LeBron would have to rely a lot moreso on his jumpshot. And LeBron would be facing teams like the Spurs that hustle and pass the ball almost every night.
It's why I can't stand it when people assume that LeBron would dominate a different era. Nobody knows. He's a hell of a player and would do well in any era. But ridiculous to suggest that he's had a much easier time.