Official 2012-2013 NBA Thread

[Al Bundy]

Looks like James Harden has been To the Rockets for Jeremey Lamb, Kevin Martin and future picks. Plus... this is a general NBA thread.

[okcchief]

The LeBron haters are pretty quiet nowadays lil

[tk13]

Originally Posted by okcchief

Never saw Chamberlain play so I won't comment. Kareem had the most unguardable shot I've seen, but the dude was not a complete player. Only player I've seen constantly walk up the court. Magic and Bird were great, but not Jordan or LeBron level. They wouldn't argue that themselves.

Magic Johnson went to 9 NBA Finals, and won 5 of them. His four losses were to an amazing Sixers team, Bird, the Pistons and Jordan. I wouldn't take him over Jordan... but the conversation is not absurd... at least not that there's 27 levels of talent between them and everyone else. Neither Magic or Bird could defend like Jordan or LeBron... but Jordan and LeBron didn't have the court vision Bird and Magic did. The game is just different.

[-King-]

Originally Posted by okcchief

The LeBron haters are pretty quiet nowadays lil

I don't think anyone can deny that he's the best player playing.

[tk13]

Originally Posted by okcchief

Doesn't matter the reason. The skyhook was unbelievable though. I'm surprised no one has ever been able to pull it off since. Kareem is obviously one of the best offensive players ever, but he wasn't the total package like the others.

There aren't even any real post players anymore. Look at how they kept referring tonight to how LeBron and Wade lead the league for points in the paint. That's insane. One that it's two guards... and that they're on the same team. That never would've happened in the 80's or 90's. I don't know who in the league today would be able to defend Kareem.

[Setsuna]

Originally Posted by okcchief

The LeBron haters are pretty quiet nowadays lil

Because they are to him.

[Inmem58]

Originally Posted by -King-

I don't think anyone can deny that he's the best player playing.

Due to age.


Kobe is on the downhill, but when he was in his prime NOBODY could stop him. Of course, LeBron will get all the attention now. He's the young star. Once Kobe retires and everyone focuses on James everyone will say he's better than Kobe, simply because Kobe isn't playing.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by tk13

Magic Johnson went to 9 NBA Finals, and won 5 of them. His four losses were to an amazing Sixers team, Bird, the Pistons and Jordan. I wouldn't take him over Jordan... but the conversation is not absurd... at least not that there's 27 levels of talent between them and everyone else. Neither Magic or Bird could defend like Jordan or LeBron... but Jordan and LeBron didn't have the court vision Bird and Magic did. The game is just different.

Magic is right there, but not with Jordan. At the moment you would have to put him ahead of LeBron based on accomplishments, but you can definitely see LeBron headed that way.

[-King-]

Originally Posted by Inmem58

Due to age.


Kobe is on the downhill, but when he was in his prime NOBODY could stop him. Of course, LeBron will get all the attention now. He's the young star. Once Kobe retires and everyone focuses on James everyone will say he's better than Kobe, simply because Kobe isn't playing.

I'm just waiting until he hits 30. Aging will not be kind to a 6'9 275lb player that does the things he does.

[Al Bundy]

Originally Posted by okcchief

Magic is right there, but not with Jordan. At the moment you would have to put him ahead of LeBron based on accomplishments, but you can definitely see LeBron headed that way.

Magic is right there as far as I am concerned because he along with Bird pretty much saved the NBA.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by tk13

There aren't even any real post players anymore. Look at how they kept referring tonight to how LeBron and Wade lead the league for points in the paint. That's insane. One that it's two guards... and that they're on the same team. That never would've happened in the 80's or 90's. I don't know who in the league today would be able to defend Kareem.

That's a few things. The other guys are much more athletic which makes centers less effectivelty, and obviously they can't get anywhere as physical.

Your point is valid though. Who knows how LeBron would have responded to a more physical NBA. You can also say how would a less athletic NBA respond to a god damn Alien.

It's hard to compare players from different eras I suppose, but LeBron I'm confident will be the best of his. Anything else can be argued to a point.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by -King-

I'm just waiting until he hits 30. Aging will not be kind to a 6'9 275lb player that does the things he does.

It was pretty damned kind to Karl Malone. LeBron is Karl Malone with three point range, better ball handling skills (which don't diminish with age), and more explosive athleticism. He's developed a more refined post game over the last two years which will only continue to improve.

You're using the same argument that was used against Kobe, and was false, and Jordan, which was false.

LeBron is closer to them in work ethic, skill, and athleticism. He's not Shawn Kemp, who can't play w/o athleticism.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by Al Bundy

Magic is right there as far as I am concerned because he along with Bird pretty much saved the NBA.

There is no question Bird and Magic are the most important players. The league may have gone under without them.

[okcchief]

Kobe is a great player. I don't think it's any disrespect to say LeBron will most likely surpass him. I'm sure if LeBron goes to LA in few years some tunes will change real quick.

I'd personally take KD over LeBron because I'm a Thunder fan, a fan boy, and just like the guy. He'll be one if the all time greats, but I know he won't be LeBron. He's still my guy though.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Boston's in a weird place b/c Rondo is such a valuable asset, but like Phil Pressey, I view him as a guy who tries to pad his assist total selfishly.

He can't shoot and he's really difficult to deal with.

They probably can't trade him and get full value, but I don't think they can win with him as the primary player either.

They can win with Rondo, they went to 2 NBA Finals in large part because of him. Is he going to have to adjust his game when he comes back no doubt and I think he will.

As far as his shooting goes he actually was much improved this season.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

They can win with Rondo, they went to 2 NBA Finals in large part because of him. Is he going to have to adjust his game when he comes back no doubt and I think he will.

As far as his shooting goes he actually was much improved this season.

They also had younger, better versions of Pierce and Allen, plus a healthy Kendrick Perkins.