Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith discuss if LeBron James is the best player in the NBA since Michael Jordan. Watch more videos like this at www.espnamerica.com
Namebrandjones and no one care if you’re delusions makes LeBum YOUR goat. Now, even if you don’t care, my Goat is the 6 for 6 titles, with 6 MVPs, 5 regular season MVP, 10 SCORING TITLES, 1 defensive title, 30,6,5 for career and the best of all is that ALL of that was in much much less time than your Bum who missed the Playoffs 3 times, chocked in 2011, was saved in 2013 and swept by KD. Enjoy your mangy goat, kid.
@@theguy9150 i mean.. people have different opinion, so why do you have to use "bum". why do you have to use derogatory term to debate about someone's career that isn't even relate-able to your life?? that's just sad calling other people negative stuff while yourself maybe doesn't achieve a lot in your life
1:13 " I just want to see him do it in the finals" LeBron does it in 2016 with a record-setting stat line and a championship to go with it, Skip STILL doesn't give him his credit
Richard adams no u dont cause that team won wnough games to be a 6th seed in thw west that yr where they would face the spurs in the first round. No probs given. AI took a weaker team to the finals in 01 and even won a game while lebron and cavs got swept. East is trash
@@reginaldwilliams6241 wth are you talking about? he did that in 3 separate seasons. basketball reference is free to use. also jordan's peak (89-91) he averaged the same amount of apg as peak lebron (2012-2014) in regular season and more apg in the playoffs. in 1991 he averaged 11 apg in the nba finals, more than any player besides magic johnson in the history of the nba finals.
And he was criticized for it. You youngins know nothing. Until 1988 he had to see newspapers and news on tv about the scoring champ not winning rings. Lebron got nothing in terms of heat as Mj did.
I think the saddest part of that is, he was in his prime and could have shit on everyone if he had a team around him instead of 3 other D-Leaguers as starters in Smush, Brian Cook, and Kwame. Everyone talks about how great the Lakers management is, how come the Lakers couldn't get someone in when Kobe was the CLEARLY the best player in the world from 2002-2008(9). They didn't get anyone until 2008, and just as an NBA fan, I am very disappointed.
2003 was Shaq 2004 Kobe, Duncan and KG all had a legitimate claim 2005 - 2007 Kobe and Duncan 2008 - Lebron and Kobe 2009 - 2018 Lebron 2018 - 2023 Giannis/KD
@@teddyhart2913 nah curry was undoubtedly the best player in world in 2015 it wasn’t close and also 2016 up until the finals when LeBron took the throne back but you can’t argue against that the only reason Steph didn’t win mvp in 2016 was because of the fact that Russell Westbrook stat padded just to average a triple double all season
I find it rude when Skip just puts down Dirk's Mavs like they are nothing. Sure, their lineup isn't the most impressive, and they only have one true star in Dirk, but the team unity and consistancy they've put up over the last couple of years is very impressive. They consistantly give the Spurs a run for their money, a team Skip would probably say is the best team in the NBA by far, and rivals the best teams of the 80-90s.
Is the Mavs better than Barkleys Suns? Or Stockton and Malone Jazz? Or Clyde’s Trailblazers? Ewings Knicks? Shaq’s Magic? Reggie Miller Pacers?No they wasnt. They was just a good team with Dirk on one of his last hot streaks. LeBron was “the best in the NBA” with Wade who was a superstar and Bosh who was a superstar who took a step back. The fact LeBron went from averaging like 27 to 17 while being up 2-1 and lose shows that he choked that series. I like Dirk, but that wasnt even Dirks best team he had. That wasnt even the best version of Dirk.
he had one of the best point guards in the game..butler. he also had a young lamar odom. kobe led them to 36 wins. Lebron won 66 games with delonte west and mo williams as point guard.
The LeBron vs Jordan question is debatable. But if you don't think that LeBron is the best player SINCE Jordan then you are a fool. The only player since '98 who was ever as dominant as him was Shaq during the Lakers three-peat.
MJ was the main contributor to all six of his rings, Kareem was the main contributor for only 2. That what puts MJ above Kareem, the number of rings where he was the main player. 6 rings led by MJ> 6 rings, 2 led by Kareem. So the number of rings where the player was the main contributor is what really counts.
Idk about that. For sure with Shaq, but Kobe’s team in ‘09 and ‘10 sans Kobe was not as good as the Miami Heat of 2011-2014 sans Lebron. Obviously the days of Smush and Kwame and then beyond 2011 with the injuries, I don’t think Lebron would have far more rings.
it goes like this: Russel passes torch to Wilt-Wilt to Kareem-Kareem to Magic/Larry-They pass it to Jordan-who passed it to Kobe-who passed it to LeBron, LeBron is the best player since Kobe, Kone is the best since Jordan
determination.. Those games where it was tough, people doubted them but they never gave up no matter what. Not just only they didnt give up but they did what people cant understand. Whats amazing isn't the fact that Jordan average so much points a game, but when his teammates hand him that ball, they could expect him to bring them back. Whats amazing is how when things looked bad, these men stood tall, legends dont leave records, they leave an impact. That will to win, that killer instinct..
for a while i believed kobe to be the best player since mj but lebron is simply a freak of nature but his legacy is tarnished because of his sole decision to join bosh and d wade in miami, essentially taking the easy route, and that is why(in my opinion ) he will never be greater than jordan
He should have more success. He played longer than Jordan did by age 28. Lebron entered the league at 18; Jordan 21. Lebron was able to play 10 full seasons by the age of 28; Jordan only played 7 seasons. If you compare by their first 10 seasons, despite Jordan only playing 8 full seasons, Jordan has accomplished a lot more. And Jordan's legacy was cemented with 11 full seasons in the NBA when he retired in 1998; Lebron has already finished his 10th.
2012, SAS ≈ " _Lebron's laissez-fare attitude towards winning will have a toxic impact on the NBA_ " 2012, MVP Lebron ≈ " _If we lose this season is still _*_not_*_ a failure_ " 2023, MVP Giannis = " _Although we lost 4-1 to the 8th seeded Miami Heat, this season was not a failure_ " Stephen A was right, and today's MVPs have carried Lebron's eroded mantle (of not prioritizing winning).
@@ccbgaming6994 Yeah. Once an MVP, Always an MVP. Plus, a former MVP who's still in his prime is still in MVP form. So, although 2023 wasn't either of the years that Giannis won it, he was still in MVP Form. That's why I used the shorthand "MVP Giannis". Before LBJ, NBA MVPs prioritized winning. Now, they treat it like another statistic.
These debates never end lol. Jordan was the most relentless player I ever seen, He played every game like it was his last. From a young freshmen in college hitting the shot against Georgetown, til 98 hitting the last shot against the Jazz. Jordan is a true Legend, He's up there with Ali, Babe Ruth, Roc Marciano, Wanye Gretsky, Jack Nicholas, Jackie Robinson, etc.
Skip just admitted that LeBron is better statistically and talent wise than mj so why is there even a conversation ? If you wanna look at crunchtime go look at the 4th quarter stats
Because Skip is a dumbass. LeBum has more numbers because he has played more, simple as that. MJ in much LESS time did MUCH more in every category than the 3-6 looser.
I agree with you on Tracy McGrady, but not Iverson. Iverson needs the offense to be set around him to be most effective and he just isn't that great of a defensive threat. Awesome at playing the passing lanes though. The numbers Kobe put up when he had to carry the team when Shaq shat the bed was Lebron like. The numbers Kobe put up as a second option were amazing too. Clearly out of Tmac, I3 and Mamba for a second option you pick Mamba. Tmac a very close second if he's healthy.
All I remember is when they met in the playoffs, Kobe was up 3-1 against the Suns. And then they lost it and when it went to game 7, Kobe shot 2 shots in the second half. That is choking.
+Jae Brookens You people that cry rigged just need to go... Anytime LeBron wins a ring, "it was rigged". Might as well say Kyrie and Love's injuries last year were rigged, Anything that doesn't go perfectly for the opposing team, the series is rigged. Smh...
Oscar Robertson did have a triple double in a season which is the most amazing thing about stats, but his whole career he didn't get 30k he only has 25k Lebron already has 20k Oscar has 7k rebounds Lebron already has 5k Oscar has 9k assists Lebron already has 5k and his career isn't over yet. Wilt is a center I believe and he has over 20k rebounds and 30k points. Wilt has a huge advantage for size, so his stats are unbelievable and he has a advantage although assists are only 4k
Skip literally said that He may be the best stat sheet stuff. He did not say his stats are on par with Jordan's. But what is interesting is how Lebron often puts up numbers or accomplish something that hasn't been seen since Jordan or other legends. Just because he he posted triple doubles doesn't make him more of a threat to do so. Michael had 30 career triple doubles, Lebron has 47 as of last season, so Its clear who the triple double threat is.
gip1279 Because Kobe supposedly had more heart, he isn't above Kobe even though he's higher than Kobe in everything other than rings and he can thank Shaq for that.
lebron is my favorite player in the history of the nba. MJ is someone i believe could go toe to toe with mr. lebron. its a tie to me, not better player here
Tod Wilkinson LOL. Pippen was great wasn't he...couldn't win a ring without Jordan though hmm. You just sound like an old man that wishes he was born in these younger generations. Stay mad, brah.
Kobe Bryant was the best player since Michael Jordan! Skip lebron! Great player just highly overrated! Sure he can fill a stat sheet up but he cannot win rings unless he's on a superstar team
lebron has always been a leader in 4th qtr points and plays well in the playoffs every year vs boston game 7 2008 45 pts the 25 pts in a row vs detroit , game winners vs orlando and two vs washington, triple double vs celts g6 in 2010, took the pistons to 7 games in 06, and daggers vs the bulls and celts in 2011, im not gnna mention this years playofffs! if thats not clutch i dont know what is
So I guess you forgot the past 2 LA championships, were PAST PRIME Kobe led his team to 2 rings, people say it was all the 7 footers but the first one Bynum was constantly hurt, and the second one Gasol seemed like he was way out of touch
Kobe was quicker than lebron, and made after decisions, as well as being better at shooting. Lebron is better at everything else. But I think that Kobe is the better player because of his unreal effort and other intangibles.
+Full dank yes that's true but it's not like he never passed. Ppl seem to miss the fact that after Shaq Kobe didn't rlly have anyone on his team for him to trust the ball with.
Tim Duncan is the best player since Jordan...without a doubt. He carried the Spurs ever since coming into the League. 50+ win seasons every year. 4x Champion 3x Finals MVP 2x NBA MVP Anchor of the Spurs Defense Made Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili stars
He improves year after year just like Jordan did when he was in his late 20s. By the time Jordan was in his mid thirties he had one of the better jumpers in the game. He too relied on his athleticism until he came back from baseball.
mate comparing lebron on jordan is like saying 2-3 in finals is better than 6-0..stfu mate..nba nowaday is soft as a pillow..try to watch jordan rules and lebron the best flopper..and tell me whats good in lebron
At the end of the day, it doesn`t take an NBA expert to know that championships and "clutchness" is more important than numbers. Lebrons got the numbers, but I have to agree with both Stephen A and Skip for the fact that Lebron cant ALWAYS close. Yes MJ had those rare moments where he couldn` t either, but getting back to the subject, Lebron is simply not even close to being the best player since Jordan. Think of guys like Tim Duncan, Shaq, even Kobe, maybe even Dirk in there. All those guys stepped up 1) when they needed to 2) when they worked for the opportunity to. If anyone was to make a youtube video of lebron game winners, it may last 20 seconds with maybe 3-5 different games. Not a lot of moments in lebrons career where he comes through when he needs to. Look at duncans career for an example, and I dont know how many times you can find him in the post making crucial buckets that gives them the W. Lebron is great statistically, but I would argue that he is still not nearly as clutch as a lot of players in the league today. He is fun to watch, but he has not proven it yet. I think in the next upcoming years he can though, no doubt he has that potential. Although I believe this now, give Lebron 5 years and I can almost guarantee that he will prove me otherwise. But as of now, that answer is still not clear, but I believe Lebron really isnt even in that talk yet. Maybe when TIm Duncan retires, we can talk.
Amen, word for word. I am not too hopeful for him overcoming his weaknesses though. Mental toughness is more of inborn than earned, especially with high pressure.
Of course he has slowed down a bit the guy has been in the league for 16 years and has a whole lot of miles on his legs and injuries in his hands and for him after this long to still be declared the greatest in the NBA is incredible even if he scores 43% he was the second in PPG in the NBA behind Kevin Durant and all he had to do to surpass him was score 30 points in the final game of the season but he chose to sit out because he wanted to be rested to start the playoffs.
lmao yeah right, Shaq admitted to being able to slack off cuz he knew Kobe would be ready to go, Shaq aint carry nobody. & 6 peat? lmaoo Shaq in the lane takes away Lebrons driving ability & makes him more of a jump shooter. Lebron aint closing out them games Kobe did vs the Spurs & the Kings in the WEST! lol. He's fortunate he played in the weak ass East with his stacked ass Heat & Cavs teams.
42.9% to be exact. Yea but we're talking 28 points on 20 shots a game. Kobe shot more than anyone in the league last year and he still didn't win the scoring title over someone who shot less. That means there was someone more efficient at scoring. Lebron and Durant shot 4-5 shots less averaging the same amount of points. Thats efficiency.
The game has totally changed. Rules were put in place because of Wilt so it will be a lot harder to average 50 and 25 these days when there are 3 second rules and much more talented competition. Back then the level of talent in the league wasn't nearly as good as it is now. I think an average NBA player today would probably make an all star team in the 60's.
+dyodoublej did you really just put LJ above kobe in clutch😒 smh we all know he has no clutch gene.. all his career the most important and biggest play (when it matters) he dishes it out. Fortunately, without Allen I don't think he would have won 1 championship, why?? because he doesn't have the will, if everything goes too wrong he looses enthusiasm for the current game. we've all seen it happen against Celtics, spurs (playoffs) like I said, when it matters, he's prone to making a bad decision. so as a fan of Lj, kobe, Mj, wade etc etc all those who are noticeably great.. he isn't clutch in crunch time and I'm not denying that he's shown up in some crunch times but like I said in times where it matters, to seal the deal he doesn't have the killer instinct, even though last season he was showing signs of it. just not enough without supporting cast.
+dyodoublej did you really just put LJ above kobe in clutch😒 smh we all know he has no clutch gene.. all his career the most important and biggest play (when it matters) he dishes it out. Fortunately, without Allen I don't think he would have won 1 championship, why?? because he doesn't have the will, if everything goes too wrong he looses enthusiasm for the current game. we've all seen it happen against Celtics, spurs (playoffs) like I said, when it matters, he's prone to making a bad decision. so as a fan of Lj, kobe, Mj, wade etc etc all those who are noticeably great.. he isn't clutch in crunch time and I'm not denying that he's shown up in some crunch times but like I said in times where it matters, to seal the deal he doesn't have the killer instinct, even though last season he was showing signs of it. just not enough without a supporting cast. (Original Starters)
+Tod Wilkinson this dude obviously doesn't know basketball and the difference in physicality between the generations and how "head to head" Jordans era really was.
Maxim Lekov 2nd Fiddle? Yet Shaq Called Him Best Player Ever. It's Funny How You Punks So Shaq Carried Kobe While Majority They Almost Averaged The Same Amount Of Points Yet When Wade Actually Carried Shaq Y'all Said Nothing.
In 05-06 the 2nd seed suns were taken to 7 by the Lakers. Nash didn't come near killing Kobe either, Kobe dropped 50 and a franchise record 12 in overtime and the Lakers STILL lost game 6, because the team that surrounded Kobe was that bad. If you have 9 straight 40+ point games and an 81 point game, you deserve to be MVP. Anyone who actually watched basketball that year knew that Kobe was obviously the best by far.
Armani Smith Two years ago? I was right. Now? I still think Duncan and Shaq are greater, but Kobe is an argument now. I would say Lebron is now slightly ahead of him.
Let me ask you one more thing do you think the players that is playing in the olympic care about winning an nba championship or the olympic? In the thunder series against laker kobe averages 27.9 a game and that is in the is in may 2012 which is actually 2 months ago and do you think that all of that scoring will be gone in 2 months ? I can see more of Lebron's killer instincts the playoff improving but it is not on kobe level yet.
Lebron will never be over Mike or Kobe period the way I see it he's not the best in the NBA ritenow I give that to Anthony Davis how can u compare Mike 6 finals 6 rings or Kobe 7 finals 5 rings to James 5 finals 2 rings another thing bout Mike & Kobe didn't have to leave the team's they where drafted by to get rings & if u ask me Wade was a way better player in his prime than Lebron is now
Wtf are u serious let's get this right the late 80s early 90s the game was more physical those NBA players took a beating every time they drove the ball to the rim it wasn't none of these weak fouls Jordan played when the game was brutal everybody was trying to knock him down on his ass every team was good & had 2 or 3 centers he had to fight the Bad boys the Celtics the Charles Barkley the not to bring up that New York Knicks team create flare stop smoking crack or u must be a young dummy that never seen Jordan play wtf dummy how many Championships would Jordan have if he would of said in his early years before his first ring I'm leaving the bulls to go play with the Lakers or piston fact Jordan didn't leave his team to get a ring he showed his team how to play to get one Pippin wouldn't be shit without Mike he never lost to nobody in the finals unlike Lebron the Spurs Dallas Golden State don't make me laugh they all got rings against Lebron if you want to talk stats let talk real stats Kobe 5 rings 7 finals Lebron 2 rings 6 finals 33 percent that sounds like failure to me unless you live in wack ass Ohio Don't ever compare Lebron to Mike or Kobe & like I said Wade was more dangerous in his prime point Theres always a idiot out there just like you
U talking one team he'll yeah I watched the game in the 90s started watching the NBA in 87 & I'll say it again the game was more competitive this game today is soft compared to the 80s 90s & early 2000s every team had Centers that position is soft now the best center today is Howard who's got to be the softest big man I ever seen what the he'll u sAying Shaq Parrish Ewing the dream STOP u can't compare this street ball to them days of the NBA @ Itsme4746
Andrew Harper i gotta disagree kevin durant is the best in the league right now hes so big can pull up basically unguardable and can handle the ball and has great defense. Hes way better at shooting then lebron will ever be.
Lebron is overrated one player who is better than Lebron was Scottie pippen. Pippen was a better defender, a better shooter, he was more clutch than Lebron will ever be. How can u compare Lebron to jordan when he isn't even better than pippen
I understand Scottie Pippen is one of the more underrated players in the history of the NBA man, but Lebron is a far greater player than Pips ever was. Maybe Pips doesn't get the credit he deserves because he was always in the shadow of u know who, but to say he was better than Lebron at any point is blasphemy. Pippen was a far better defender, I'll give u that one for sure, but the rest is a joke. When was Pippen ever considered clutch? I'd put him under 5gw shots for his career, he was never really a big game player in terms of offense. He was defensively clutch though, he shutdown some big time players in big games. Lebron is a better shooter from mid-range n long-range than Pips as well, just look at the percentages.
hm, jordan is the greatest ever, pippen even better than lebron, so both of them are better than him on the same team on the other hand, lebron only can win on stacked superteams jordan obv could do it all by himself something just doesnt make sense...
He is, but he always has always had a great stretch of games where he does well in the past two years. This year it happens to be in the beginning of the year. If Kobe can continue this throughout the year I would consider taking him over both LeBron and Durant. Can't go wrong with either guy however. You just want the guy who is more versatile and lebron and durant are.
Maybe you can say that in 2000 playoffs, but 2001-2002, Kobe=Batman, Shaq= Superman.Even in 2000 though Kobe was huge in game 7 against portland in the wcf. in the 2001 West Conference playoffs (where Lakers faced their BY FAR the toughest competition). 2002 playoffs:Kobe:26.6., 5.8, 4.6. 20.5 PER . And this lakers team still made three straight finals appearances winning back to back titles. 2001 WC Playoffs Kobe (11g): 31.6 PTS (.577 TS%), 7.0 REB, 6.2 AST, 1.6 STL, 0.5 BLK, 3.0 TOV. 2002
And to me its great to have a nickname the majority of the best player have one and thats why I have no problem with that its just words, he dont play a game with a crown on his head, kobe is not a snake, durant its not a spider... my point is that the nickname just describe them not make them what they said
1) it's 18 and 8. 2) Ray is way out of his prime but shooting touch doesn't go away even if he's already old. 3) look at kobe's stats through 2000-2002 and tell me if he didn't earn those rings. 4) i admit lbj is the best right now but give credit where credit is due.
Jordan's championship seasons came in years with an aging Magic, young Shaq, prime Hakeem, prime Ewing, prime Drexler, prime Barkley, prime Malone, prime Stockton, prime Miller, prime David Robinson, and young Tim Duncan.
To be exact it's 43 percent and I know that is not very high but he still averages about 30 when he is 33 years old, I am not comparing him to anyone but don't you think that judging from a normal standpoint he is a prolific and efficient scorer ?
