LeBron

[LilBates]

Did anyone else catch the highlights of the Cavs vs. the Bucs tonight? I mean some of those shots Lebron was making were ridiculous and with Jefferson right in his face. That kid (and thats the scary part to the rest of the NBA: that he is still very young.) can do anything he wants on a basketball court. This brings me to my point, where do you think LeBron will finish his career on the all-time great list and not just in terms of championships (I dont think he could get anywhere close to Russell, much less Jordan in that respect)

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

I think it's safe to say he'll be a top 10 All-Time player, assuming he stays healthy and stays out of trouble.

[LilBates]

What does your top 10 look like right now? And I guess another widely debated topic is Who do you think is better right now, Kobe or LeBron? and Who do think will be the better of the two when they are both done with their careers?

I know generally baseball gets more discussion on these forums and that is where the majority of some peoples knowledge base is at. But I am trying to convert myself from a long time lurker of the boards into an actual posting (and newly registered) member. And seeing as Sportscenter was showing the highlights from the Cavs and Bucs I thought that was as good a place to start as any.

[etothep]

Did anyone else catch the highlights of the Cavs vs. the Bucs tonight? I mean some of those shots Lebron was making were ridiculous and with Jefferson right in his face. That kid (and thats the scary part to the rest of the NBA: that he is still very young.) can do anything he wants on a basketball court. This brings me to my point, where do you think LeBron will finish his career on the all-time great list and not just in terms of championships (I dont think he could get anywhere close to Russell, much less Jordan in that respect)

You either need to re-word that or check the history books (Russell won 11, Jordan won 6)

In terms of Lebron, he's obviously a good player, but something about him annoys me. Maybe it's just the incessant commercials & talk about where he's gonna sign when his contract his up in 2 years

[LilBates]

I know how many each won and thats why I stated it that way. I apologize if my meaning was unclear. I meant to imply that he definitely would not catch Russell and that he wouldn't even be able to catch Jordan. Russell is the greatest champion in basketball. Which would roughly be why they renamed the Finals MVP after him. But I think what makes him a great champion is not just how many championships he won but the kind of class act he is. Even after all these years he still takes about how great his teammates were and that to him the Finals MVP is a team award.

[BINGLEBOP]

I can't wait to see him in Brooklyn!

[LilBates]

Bingle, say that Cleveland wins the NBA title this year or maybe even takes it to Game 7 or the finals. Do you think LeBron would stay or would he leave for the promise of a bigger market, bigger pay day, and playing with another big name player?

[BINGLEBOP]

I'm more of a casual basketball fan than anything else, so I'm no expert or anything, but I do think he's as good as gone from Cleveland when his contract is up... not just because Jay-Z is his best friend and whatnot, but his desire to be the first "billionaire athlete". Everything I read about him, that seems to be his focus. All else being equal, I think he's gone, regardless of if he wins a championship in Cleveland or not. On one hand, he could say that they didn't win the big one, so he's leaving to go someplace where he can, but on the other hand, he could say that he finished what he came there to do and is moving on to achieve more personal goals.

[Arctic Blast]

I don't think he stays in Cleveland for one reason...bidding war. Seriously, it's well known that New York, New Jersey and Chicago have made roster moves specifically to have cap room in 2 years (LeBron isn't the only big name potential free agent at that time...could also be Tracy McGrady, Josh Howard, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Dwyane Wade), and James is the big prize. A lot of people think Detroit will hold a lot of their upcoming cap space for the 2010 class as well, and Phoenix will be out from under the Shaq and Nash contracts.

As for his place in the game, I think that this year he has become the best player...period. Kobe used to win that debate for me because his one on one defense was better...LeBron has improved immensely in that area over the past 2 years. The guy flat out amazes me...to come out of high school at 18 with the insane level of expectations he had on him and not only survive that spotlight but THRIVE under it and keep improving his game...that's just a guy with a work ethic and a good sense of who he is.

Of course, being the size of a power forward with the quick feet of a point guard doesn't hurt, either.

[LilBates]

Imagine if a team like the Knicks could grab LeBron and then also manage to snag any of those other players, except for TMac. I like TMac and think he is one of the best in the game(regardless of his playoff shortcomings) when he is healthy. But that is the problem he just cant seem to stay healthy. But seeing Wade and LeBron on the same team would be insane or maybe LeBron could run with a reunited Nash and DeAntoni

[michaelg123789]

I wouldn't be suprised if NY grabbed both Lebron AND Bosh out of that class.

[OregonDuck1989]

I still don't think LeBron is leaving Cleveland. Arctic has a good point but there is no bidding war if he signs an extension before free agency even starts which is what I see happening.

Honestly, when its all said and done I think LeBron and Kobe will be all-time top 10 players. I'd love to see them battle in several finals like two other hall of famers Jordan and Malone did.

[200tang]

I heard that the Yankees are interested in signing him as their new third basemen in light of A-Rod having done PEDs.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

I also heard that the Cleveland Browns were looking at him as a wideout/cornerback/specialteamer. As a matter of fact, I though I saw that on TV somewhere...

[LilBates]

Naw. They want to move someone else to third and then they can use only two official outfielders. Of course LeBron would be the third but he would never leave the warning track, he would steal so many four baggers.