Paul Pierce says LeBron James isn't a Top 5 player in NBA history

[michael777]

Pierce, now an NBA analyst, said James didn’t build a team from the ground up the way other greats in the Top 10 have done in the past.
“What has LeBron did to build up any organization from the ground? I’m talking about these players, Top 5 players,” Pierce said on ESPN. “Bill Russell built the organization of Boston, Kareem, Magic, Jordan, Tim Duncan, Kobe, Bird. These guys are all-time Top 10 players who helped build their organization or continued the tradition.”Pierce isn’t wrong with what he’s saying.
Instead James has been known for tailoring his teams around his abilities, and he helped build those teams based on his likings. All three of his titles came when he had a say in building the roster. His two NBA Finals victories with the Miami Heat came when he teamed up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, and when he went back to the Cleveland Cavaliers, he had Kyrie Irving as a co-star, and they immediately traded for power forward Kevin Love.Back in 2007, James did take the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals, but they were swept at the hands of Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs. However, that Cavaliers team is sometimes thought of as one of the worst teams to make it to the NBA Finals, and the reason they made it was because of James.

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[festeringZit]

The Truth speaks truth

 

[seldomseen]

The prior generation of players didn't move around like they do now. Different mentality of wanting to build up a team and beat all the others. Today everybody wants to play with best, not beat the best.

 

[Knightrofins]

He also claimed he had a better career than D Wade.

what a clown

 

[Seymour]

I would imagine most would have Lebron in the top 5 - then factor in longevity of his career it's a no brainer

 

[Louie12]

lebron is at worst #2. i give MJ the edge but lebron is better than everyone else

 

[Willie99]

An ongoing argument that can't be won... or lost

Saying he's top 2 or top 5 or top 10 of all time is NOT disrespecting the man

Of course, if Lebron was MJ, he'd put all these chips on his shoulders and will his team to a 3peat

But he's NOT MJ

 

[brendanjack]

He’s a top 5 asshole . MJ is the cream of the crop walks quietly .

 

[HacheMan]

He’s a top 5 asshole

Probably higher but definitely #1 Race baiter/Pot-Stirrer

 

[Shub]

Mj,Kobe, Russell, Duncan, Kareem

 

[azbob]

3-5 in the finals doesn't get you in the top two and neither does lifetime shooting of 42% (Kobe). Take a look at Oscar Robertson if you want to use data to make a decision or you can stick with 6-0 in the finals and realize MJ is #1 without question. Of course Russell won 11/12 so he is in the top five.

 

[Knightrofins]

3-5 in the finals doesn't get you in the top two and neither does lifetime shooting of 42% (Kobe). Take a look at Oscar Robertson if you want to use data to make a decision or you can stick with 6-0 in the finals and realize MJ is #1 without question. Of course Russell won 11/12 so he is in the top five.

I'm more impressed with 8 trips to the finals than his 3-5 record.

Look at his first trip to the finals. He led a crappy team to the finals to lose against the spurs
I'm more impressed in 2016 how he came back from 3-1 to beat the warriors

Still pissed about 2011 and how JJ Barrea shut him down

 

[HacheMan]

Mj,Kobe, Russell, Duncan, Kareem

I think I could agree with 1 & 2, as does many NBA players part & present.

But after that I think Duncan, Bird, Magic, Kareem, LeBron, Shaq, Russell and others are all too close to rank.

Kobe is without a doubt the closest we've ever seen to Jordan and reason I have no argument against him at #2

 

[festeringZit]

Mj,Kobe, Russell, Duncan, Kareem

Can't put Kobe at #2. He was great, but he wasn't a great leader. He spent years being a ball hog, and not getting his team-mates involved.

His own coach Phil Jackson wrote a whole book about how Kobe was un-coachable. Kobe even agreed with Phil:
https://lakersnation.com/kobe-bryan...s-criticism-of-being-un-coachable/2016/04/21/


I have MJ at #1, and a bunch of people tied for #2:

Wilt
Kareem
Russell
Magic
Bird

And then a few more in the next tier:

LeBron
Kobe
Duncan

If LeBron wins another championship, I might bump him up, but he gets penalized for being a turnover machine, a flopper and a whiny little bitch.

My picks are obviously bent towards players that I was able to watch during my lifetime. And I realize that... It's a bit unfair
to compare players of different generations, but it's a fun conversation to have...

 

[exploited17]

Olajuwon could easily be in the top 5. I think skill wise he is ahead of Duncan and Russell. I might make the case over Wilt too. The titles are the only question. No doubt Duncan and Russell had more to work with. It is hard to compare centers with everyone else as they ned someone to get them the ball while other positions take it and can largely handle it on their own

 

[festeringZit]

Olajuwon could easily be in the top 5. I think skill wise he is ahead of Duncan and Russell. I might make the case over Wilt too. The titles are the only question. No doubt Duncan and Russell had more to work with. It is hard to compare centers with everyone else as they ned someone to get them the ball while other positions take it and can largely handle it on their own

Agreed. And now we have an NBA where the center position is largely obsolete, or at least moved out of the paint.

 

[Serbone]

He’s a top 5 asshole . MJ is the cream of the crop walks quietly .

Yes, he is!

 

[Willie99]

Can't put Kobe at #2. He was great, but he wasn't a great leader. He spent years being a ball hog, and not getting his team-mates involved.

His own coach Phil Jackson wrote a whole book about how Kobe was un-coachable. Kobe even agreed with Phil:
https://lakersnation.com/kobe-bryan...s-criticism-of-being-un-coachable/2016/04/21/


I have MJ at #1, and a bunch of people tied for #2:

Wilt
Kareem
Russell
Magic
Bird

And then a few more in the next tier:

LeBron
Kobe
Duncan

If LeBron wins another championship, I might bump him up, but he gets penalized for being a turnover machine, a flopper and a whiny little bitch.

My picks are obviously bent towards players that I was able to watch during my lifetime. And I realize that... It's a bit unfair
to compare players of different generations, but it's a fun conversation to have...

can't argue with your list, they're all alltime greats

I just think the Big O belongs on any alltime great list

 

[festeringZit]

can't argue with your list, they're all alltime greats

I just think the Big O belongs on any alltime great list

You're probably right... I just never got to see him play, and don't see many clips of his play, so hard for me to judge.

 

[michael777]

I am old,trust me,Oscar was AWESOME!!