By position, who is the all time starting 5 in NBA history. Mark Jackson said Lebron is there

[PatsFan1283]

I think all Chop was saying is Shaq has greater physical skills than Dream because he is a physical freak of nature.

Shaq was 7'1 320...Really quick off his feet for someone that big

Hakeem was like 6'11 (I think more like 6'10 too) 250-260

Of course he was more athletic and skilled but in terms of sheer freak physical ability the answer would be Shaq.

 

[bigtendominator]

The dream was the best 5 I've ever seen and it's really not close. Shaq had more athletic ability but not nearly as skilled.

I know in Louisiana English is tough to read and write, but I can only go based on what they state.

Nobody would argue Shaq was a freak physically, but he kept arguing that Shaq was more athletic.

 

[PatsFan1283]

Yeah he said it wrong I think, by athletic ability he just meant like physically imposing/god given athleticism for someone of that size. I dunno though, maybe he meant it that way.

Sometimes people see guys play more at different stages in their career so they get different ideas of their game as well. Hakeem when he was in the finals in '94 and '95 relied more on skill than athleticism at that point.

 

[GoBlue34]

Magic
Jordan
Lebron
Barkely
Shaq

Those are my top 5. I will admit however I didn't ever seen people like Jerry West or Wilt play so I can only pick by players I saw in my liftime (I'm 39).

Bird was great but Lebron would simply overpower him. Put Lebron on those Celtic teams, holy shit they would be unstoppable. I love Bird but no way on him being better (IMO).

PF is tough IMO but would probably go with Barkely with a gun to my head when he was at his prime.

When Shaq was at his best, no one better. And if he had those players around him to avoid double teams, etc. No wrong answers though

 

[Willie99]

The question is who's the best not who's your favorite. I can't think of a single thing bird did better then lebron other then maybe a slightly better 3 point shooter

evidently rebound, 10 vs 7, and Bird played in a physical era as opposed to playing with a halo rule

what might Bird have averaged if he were allowed to drive practically unimpeded to the rim, lest you want to put him at the free throw line

free throw attempts

career
James 7,202
Bird 4,471

post season
James 1,484
Bird 1,012

and when Bird was playing, everyone would moan about the free throw attempts he or MJ would attempt

nobody even thinks twice about how today's players are protected and how many free throws LJ attempts

the analogy I would use is how you can't defend wide receivers in modern day football, the game has changed

James is a rare physical specimen, while Bird had a superior case of "it", just knew how to get "it" done.

PS: I'm not making a case who's better or not, I'm just pointing out significant differences

 

[DogDaze]

Magic
Jordan
Lebron
Barkely
Shaq

Those are my top 5. I will admit however I didn't ever seen people like Jerry West or Wilt play so I can only pick by players I saw in my liftime (I'm 39).

Bird was great but Lebron would simply overpower him. Put Lebron on those Celtic teams, holy shit they would be unstoppable. .

Overpower him how? It's more about getting position, and there weren't many better at it than Bird. That's why he averaged double digit rebounds over his career.

I think you could say the same thing if you put Bird on these Heat teams the last few years.

 

[Willie99]

PG: Oscar
SG: MJ
C: Russell
F: James
F: Bird

and there are many other guys one could argue deserve being there

defend, pass, rebound & score with an undeniable desire to win

 

[GoBlue34]

Overpower him how? It's more about getting position, and there weren't many better at it than Bird. That's why he averaged double digit rebounds over his career.

I think you could say the same thing if you put Bird on these Heat teams the last few years.

I actually don't think the Heat would have won 2 straight titles if you put Bird on these Heat teams (take Lebron off this team and they are barely a playoff team, well maybe even the East they are still easily a playoff team). Bird was hurt a lot with back problems and the Celts were still really good. I'm not taking anything away from Bird, he was fantastic.

Lebron could back down Bird, jump over him, etc. Overpower him. Bird is NOT backing down Lebron and not taking him off the dribble. He could get his shot off however. You think Lebron would be worried if Bird was guarding him?

I don't

 

[PatsFan1283]

The problem with these hypothetical exercises is the answer tends to be pretty boring.

The best player in 2014 is probably going to be better than the best player in 1984.

MJ transcends this a little since he was so good but for the most part players get stronger, faster and more athletic over time.

Not trying to diss Russell or BigO or Jerry West either but if you put a gun to my head, nobody pre 1980 is gonna be on my team that I need to save my life.

This is why when comparing guys you moreso wanna go off their careers and the era they played in rather than straightup comparing them.

 

[slapshot]

Shaq was so athletic but was not coordinated enough to shoot a free throw



Hahaha 3 of the top 5 can't dribble and travel every time they have the ball

 

[festeringZit]

I actually don't think the Heat would have won 2 straight titles if you put Bird on these Heat teams (take Lebron off this team and they are barely a playoff team, well maybe even the East they are still easily a playoff team). Bird was hurt a lot with back problems and the Celts were still really good. I'm not taking anything away from Bird, he was fantastic.

Lebron could back down Bird, jump over him, etc. Overpower him. Bird is NOT backing down Lebron and not taking him off the dribble. He could get his shot off however. You think Lebron would be worried if Bird was guarding him?

I don't

What the hell do Bird's back problems the last year or two of his career have to do with anything? If you think Larry would have had any problem scoring on LeBron, you're high. Larry would get so bored at times, he'd do things during games to challenge himself - like the time he decided to take all his shots left-handed:

Like DoubleDeuce mentioned, teams were daring LeBron to shoot in the finals last year, think about that.

 

[terps1313]

That is some fantastic defense

 

[GoBlue34]

What the hell do Bird's back problems the last year or two of his career have to do with anything? If you think Larry would have had any problem scoring on LeBron, you're high. Larry would get so bored at times, he'd do things during games to challenge himself - like the time he decided to take all his shots left-handed:

Like DoubleDeuce mentioned, teams were daring LeBron to shoot in the finals last year, think about that.

He was hurt more than 1 or 2 years. Of course Larry could have scored on Lebron, but if they played 1 on 1 Lebron wins. Easily.

Like I said Lebron will go down as possibly the best player ever. Larry is more of top 5 or 10 but will never be considered on the same level as Jordan by anyone who knows anything about basketball.

Bird is/was a much better shooter than Lebron. No question ever about that

 

[HacheMan]

Lebron at the small forward position is the equivalent Shaq was at the center position.

Overpowering & dominant in the exact same way because of his size & strength, unlike any others ever at their respected positions.

But despite that pure dominance because of his physicality (just like Lebron), Shaq is not considered by most to be the 'greatest' at his position, so how & why make claims that Lebron is???

 

[GoBlue34]

Lebron at the small forward position is the equivalent Shaq was at the center position.

Overpowering & dominant in the exact same way because of his size & strength, unlike any others ever at their respected positions.

But despite that pure dominance because of his physicality (just like Lebron), Shaq is not considered by most to be the 'greatest' at his position, so how & why make claims that Lebron is???

If I could start a team with any center in history, I would choose Shaq

 

[bigtendominator]

He was hurt more than 1 or 2 years. Of course Larry could have scored on Lebron, but if they played 1 on 1 Lebron wins. Easily.

Like I said Lebron will go down as possibly the best player ever. Larry is more of top 5 or 10 but will never be considered on the same level as Jordan by anyone who knows anything about basketball.

Bird is/was a much better shooter than Lebron. No question ever about that

Is MJ being erased from the official NBA record?

MJ was a stone cold killer. Lebron never faced a team like the Bad Boys.

Look at the teams Miami is playing right now- Charlotte, Brooklyn and Indy. It would be hard to fathom MJ and bitches losing even one game to this shit box of teams.

 

[GoBlue34]

Is MJ being erased from the official NBA record?

I said possibly (career not over) and never said his is/was the best ever. Right now MJ is the best ever and I hated him

 

[PatsFan1283]

Shaq's position has a bit more GOAT depth than LeBron's does. Not exactly apples to apples.

Before MJ Era came along, big men had basically been dominating the game for 30 years

Russell-Wilt-Kareem-Dream-Shaq-Duncan all had their runs

 

[bigtendominator]

I said possibly (career not over) and never said his is/was the best ever. Right now MJ is the best ever and I hated him

I can't stand Jordan, but LBJ could win 6, 7 or 10. He won't ever better than MJ. When MJ had the ball, you always assumed he was going to score. With Lebron, there is no fear that this guy is going to make the jumper or hit a turn around j that will beat you. People forget just how prolific MJ was on the offensive end.

 

[bigtendominator]

Shaq's position has a bit more GOAT depth than LeBron's does. Not exactly apples to apples.

Before MJ Era came along, big men had basically been dominating the game for 30 years

Russell-Wilt-Kareem-Dream-Shaq-Duncan all had their runs

I can agree with that.