Who is the best basketball player?

[italstallianion]

I think Wade is arguable for after Kobe as well' date=' Lebron James is just the obvious choice for the best player in basketball, to me it's a no-brainer. I don't think his attitude should change that.[/quote']

 

You'd put Lebron over Kobe?

[Emmz]

Whoa, whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa.

 

Durant is Bosh with fancier moves?

 

What?

 

I don't even know where to start with this but I'm pretty much taking all of your opinions on basketball with a grain of salt from now on, but I'll do it anyways.

 

Kevin Durant is not a power forward. He plays shooting guard and small forward, and sometimes plays the PF when OKC goes very small. Kevin Durant is a scorer, Chris Bosh is not. Chris Bosh gets his points off of dunks and his mid-range jumper. Not only can Durant post up, but he can shoot from the outside, score on the inside, AND drive to the basket. Kevin Durant is so much more versatile and better in pretty much every area offensively than Bosh that I'm literally absolutely baffled that you could even begin to compare the two in the same sentence. You put Durant on Toronto, that's a playoff team, no questions asked. Just because Durant is around the same height as Bosh doesn't mean its alright to call them comparable as players.

 

He used to play power forward, but he's not strong enough to handle the position, he gets bullied. He's a power forward who got converted into a small forward, because he can shoot. If Peja Stojakavic or however you spell his name, gains some athleticism, and loses his shooting ability a little bit, you get Kevin Durant.

[Emmz]

You'd put Lebron over Kobe?

 

Of course I would, so have a lot of people in this discussion, look at the first page.

 

Team accomplishments shouldn't make Kobe Bryant a better player than Lebron James.

[Keeper]

Kobe is very good all around' date=' he plays hard, tough defense, obviously a scoring machine, but I don't know that even in his prime, if he's as good as Lebron James is. Kobe Bryant is one of the best players in NBA history, but Lebron James has a legitimate chance to be in the same league and Michael Jordan.[/quote']

 

In his prime, Kobe could take over games almost at will. That's something MJ did, and it's something LeBron hasn't been able to do consistently, IMO.

 

I don't think anyone will ever be in the same league as MJ. I think people will always be looking for the next Michael Jordan. That tells you all you need to know.

[italstallianion]

Of course I would' date='[b'] so have a lot of people in this discussion[/b], look at the first page.

 

Team accomplishments shouldn't make Kobe Bryant a better player than Lebron James.

 

 

 

Define a lot. It looks like it's you, RedsoxRules, Keeper, and Bsox vs. myself, RWTP, See Red, and Yankshater, which appears to be 4 vs. 4. But when you factor in that RSR is Canadian, Bsox is a young kid from Jersey, and that you're a girl, it makes the final tally 4 vs. 1.

[Emmz]

Lebron has been able to take over games at will though, IMO.

 

I think as well as Kobe did, if not better. I always say the same thing about Michael Jordan, he's alone, but Lebron is only 26 years old, and he's already putting up Jordan-esque stats, he's able to take over games when he needs to, that includes playoff games in crunch-time situations as well.

 

Lebron James will never do it if he seeks money over winning, though. People forget, Michael Jordan struggled in a similar way to Lebron early in his career, it took some time to win that first championship. Lebron James can beat a team by himself, just like Michael Jordan could, just like Kobe Bryant could.

[Emmz]

But you're British, YH drinks Keystone, and RWTP is from California.

[YanksHater213]

He used to play power forward' date=' but he's not strong enough to handle the position, he gets bullied. He's a power forward who got converted into a small forward, because he can shoot. If Peja Stojakavic or however you spell his name, gains some athleticism, and loses his shooting ability a little bit, you get Kevin Durant.[/quote']

He used to play power forward...IN COLLEGE.

 

In his NBA career he's started 90 games at guard, and 146 at small forward.

 

Also, Peja Stojakovic? Really? Peja's only contributions are as a three point shooter. Durant is an all around threat. I don't think Peja's ever made a play aside from catching and shooting ever. You're grasping for straws to make connections at this point. I'd go as far as to say Kevin Durant is THE MOST dynamic offensive player in the NBA today.

Lebron has been able to take over games at will though, IMO.

 

I think as well as Kobe did, if not better. I always say the same thing about Michael Jordan, he's alone, but Lebron is only 26 years old, and he's already putting up Jordan-esque stats, he's able to take over games when he needs to, that includes playoff games in crunch-time situations as well.

 

Lebron James will never do it if he seeks money over winning, though. People forget, Michael Jordan struggled in a similar way to Lebron early in his career, it took some time to win that first championship. Lebron James can beat a team by himself, just like Michael Jordan could, just like Kobe Bryant could.

Yep. Kobe's never taken over a game. Ever. He didn't even take the game over when he scored 81 vs. the Raptors.

 

But you're British' date=' YH drinks Keystone, and RWTP is from California.[/quote']

 

[Emmz]

He used to play power forward...IN COLLEGE.

 

In his NBA career he's started 90 games at guard, and 146 at small forward.

 

Also, Peja Stojakovic? Really? Peja's only contributions are as a three point shooter. Durant is an all around threat. I don't think Peja's ever made a play aside from catching and shooting ever. You're grasping for straws to make connections at this point. I'd go as far as to say Kevin Durant is THE MOST dynamic offensive player in the NBA today.

 

Yeah, and Peja Stojakovic would be pretty dynamic if he had athletic ability too.

 

Yep. Kobe's never taken over a game. Ever. He didn't even take the game over when he scored 81 vs. the Raptors.

 

Try reading it again, I said that Kobe can take over games, I said that Lebron James could take over games in the same way that Kobe could in his prime. Kobe used to take over games at will, yeah, same with Jordan, and James can do the same thing.

 

 

It was just a joke to counter ital's joke.

[YanksHater213]

Peja Stojakovic with athletic ability is pretty much a poor man's Ray Allen. Nothing close to Kevin Durant.

[Emmz]

Yeah, I know.

[rhet]

Lebron is a better player than Kobe. But something's missing, especially in crunch time.

 

If you need to win the game, take Kobe.

[Flynnatic10]

in my opinion, its kobe, wade, james, durant

[Jasonbay44]

Lebron is the answer for me. Kobe has more championships due to the teammates he has had, if Lebron got to play with prime Shaq or even on this years Laker roster Id bet he wins a championship. Championships are a team accomplishment and because someone has more it doesn't make them the better player.

Do you believe Samaki Walker was a better NBA player then Charles Barkley?

 

Lebron is the best player in the NBA, he is 6 years younger then Kobe and already has one more MVP then Kobe. All Lebron needs is a solid supporting cast and he'll start winning those championships. He's already accomplished so much individually. However, even the greatest cant win a championship alone because its a team game.

 

Also, I'm not taking away anything from Kobe, Lakers don't win those championships without him, but I believe they also don't win those championships without Shaq. I'm just trying to point out its a team accomplishment.

 

Who is the best basketball player' date=' LeBron or Kobe? Well, it is official now. Everyone needs to stop asking that question. It is 100% clear Kobe is the best player in the NBA and will be for a few years to come. All the talk about this “King LeBron” needs to stop. Last time I checked, you need to do something amazing you get the name “King.” On a finally note, Kobe had 4 championship and LeBron has 0. Kobe is a finisher, LeBron is not.[/quote']

 

Kobe has played 7 more years then Lebron and every championship Kobe won he had an outstanding supporting cast. During the 3-peat he had Prime Shaq and had a point guard who could actually make clutch shots in Derek Fisher. Last year Kobe had an all star PF, a guy in Lamar Odom who was better then any second option on the Cavs and again, Derek Fisher. Lebron has had the most overrated point guard in the NBA in Mo Williams and two guys past their primes in Jamison and Shaq. If Lebron had a supporting cast he would of won a championship this year. Jamison and Mo Williams essentially let Rondo and KG score every time they had the ball and disappeared offensively.

 

People forget that Kobe carried some ridiculously bad Lakers teams to the playoffs in the post-Shaq, Pre-Gasol era.

 

He won 45 games in the Western Conference with this supporting cast...

 

Lamar Odom

Kwame Brown

Andrew Bynum (as a Rookie)

Brian Cook

Devean George

Devin Green

Jim Jackson

Sasha Vujacic

Luke Walton

Aaron McKie

Stanislav Medvidenko

Chris Mihm

Smush Parker

Ronny Turiaf

Laron Profit

 

And you know what? That team lost two less games that year then the Cavs lost this year. You'd have a hard time finding an example of a guy doing more with less.

Lebron won 50 games and made it to the NBA finals with this team

Larry Hughes

Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Drew Gooden

Sasha Pavlovic

Donyell Marshall

Anderson Varejao

Daniel Gibson

Damon Jones

Eric Snow

Shannon Brown

Ira Newble

David Wesley

Scot Pollard

Dwayne Jones

 

Quick note about that roster: Eric Snow was past his prime, Shannon Brown contributed nothing, Daniel Gibson and Varejao weren't yet solid NBA players and Drew Gooden was actually a decent player.

[Migual Cabrera 2 sox 2009]

Dwyane Wade and its not even close. Wade has a ring, Lebron doesn't win. Also, Wade has never played with a great player like Kobe and is still had a ring that Lebron doesn't LOL

[italstallianion]

I think it's a huge double standard for someone to support Lebron because of what he does with "no supporting cast", and then take his numbers at face value when he "has no supporting cast" to compete with. It's either one or the other.

[Migual Cabrera 2 sox 2009]

I think it's a huge double standard for someone to support Lebron because of what he does with "no supporting cast"' date=' and then take his numbers at face value when he "has no supporting cast" to compete with. It's either one or the other.[/quote']

 

What about Wade?

[italstallianion]

What about Wade?

 

 

 

I don't care about Wade. Maybe 4th or 5th in my book.

[YanksHater213]

 

Lebron won 50 games and made it to the NBA finals with this team

Larry Hughes

Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Drew Gooden

Sasha Pavlovic

Donyell Marshall

Anderson Varejao

Daniel Gibson

Damon Jones

Eric Snow

Shannon Brown

Ira Newble

David Wesley

Scot Pollard

Dwayne Jones

 

Quick note about that roster: Eric Snow was past his prime, Shannon Brown contributed nothing, Daniel Gibson and Varejao weren't yet solid NBA players and Drew Gooden was actually a decent player.

It's easy to sit there and say that without acknowledging how absolutely putrid the Eastern Conference was that year. Sure, it's an accomplishment to get there, but you're making it sound like they beat this years Celtics, Magic, and Heat on their way there. The East was awful, and Cleveland getting there means next to nothing.

[Migual Cabrera 2 sox 2009]

lLOLWHAT!?!?!?

 

People say Kobe is best because his clutchness and championships. Wade is more clutch then Lebron, Durant, Dwight and has a championship.

[Emmz]

I think it's a huge double standard for someone to support Lebron because of what he does with "no supporting cast"' date=' and then take his numbers at face value when he "has no supporting cast" to compete with. It's either one or the other.[/quote']

 

But some people thrive statistically with a supporting cast. Kevin Garnett had no supporting cast, and then when he was given a very good one back in the 2003-04 season, he had his best statistical season. That's because a go-to player will always get a massive amount of touches, whether or not he's on a properly supported team, or a poorly supported team.

[Flynnatic10]

lLOLWHAT!?!?!?

 

People say Kobe is best because his clutchness and championships. Wade is more clutch then Lebron, Durant, Dwight and has a championship.

 

lets see

 

LeBron- went up against the spurs

Durant- Hasn't tasted playoff as much as others have

Dwight- went up against lakers

 

Wade- Swept the Mavs WITH SHAQ!

[Migual Cabrera 2 sox 2009]

lets see

 

LeBron- went up against the spurs

Durant- Hasn't tasted playoff as much as others have

Dwight- went up against lakers

 

Wade- Swept the Mavs WITH SHAQ!

 

And they all lost.

 

Wade had "PAST HIS PRIME" SHAQ and you know it. Wade defeated a team from the west which is considered "the best conference".

[Emmz]

It's easy to sit there and say that without acknowledging how absolutely putrid the Eastern Conference was that year. Sure' date=' it's an accomplishment to get there, but you're making it sound like they beat this years Celtics, Magic, and Heat on their way there. The East was awful, and Cleveland getting there means next to nothing.[/quote']

 

Lol, that team was build on scraps amongst scraps. That supporting cast is worse than what Durant has right now. Yeah the East was terrible, but you shouldn't discount it, that's a major accomplishment for how bad that team was. He absolutely carried them on his back.

[italstallianion]

lets see

LeBron- went up against the spurs

Durant- Hasn't tasted playoff as much as others have

Dwight- went up against lakers

 

Wade- Swept the Mavs WITH SHAQ!

 

 

 

And got swept. As a Spurs fan, I felt that the detail was necessary.

[Flynnatic10]

And they all lost.

 

Wade had "PAST HIS PRIME" SHAQ and you know it. Wade defeated a team from the west which is considered "the best conference".

 

with Dirk and JET

[Emmz]

And they all lost.

 

Wade had "PAST HIS PRIME" SHAQ and you know it. Wade defeated a team from the west which is considered "the best conference".

 

Shaq was still overpowering, and extremely dominant. He was still possibly the best big man in the league.

[Migual Cabrera 2 sox 2009]

with Dirk and JET

 

Yeah what the hell is your point?

 

Wade beat a team with Dirk, Terry, Prime Josh Howard, Devin Harris and Jerry Stackhouse.

 

Thanks for proving my point

[YanksHater213]

Lol' date=' that team was build on scraps amongst scraps. That supporting cast is worse than what Durant has right now. Yeah the East was terrible, but you shouldn't discount it, that's a major accomplishment for how bad that team was. He absolutely carried them on his back.[/quote']

 

It's not a huge accomplishment because of how awful they were. The difference between that and Durant right now is that Durant is in the West. They finished TIED with San Antonio and Houston for the 6th spot, and I'd say both of those teams are marginally better than over 50% of the playoff teams in the East the year that the Cavs made the finals. LeBron has yet to carry his team to the finals when opposed with an extremely tough road to the finals.

[Keeper]

lets see

 

LeBron- went up against the spurs

Durant- Hasn't tasted playoff as much as others have

Dwight- went up against lakers

 

Wade- Swept the Mavs WITH SHAQ!

 

As I recall, they lost the first two games of the series. It definitely wasn't a sweep.

 

And, by the way, I'm not knocking Wade. He's my favorite player in the post-Jordan era.