Official 2012-2013 NBA Thread

[Al Bundy]

Looks like James Harden has been To the Rockets for Jeremey Lamb, Kevin Martin and future picks. Plus... this is a general NBA thread.

[mcaj22]

lesser athletes?

you do realize there isnt a good Center in the NBA today, or a dominating one. Jordan had to go up against a dominating big man like every night.

Dwight Howard would be garbage at his position in that era, and he is considered the best Center currently because he has no competition or talent at it.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

h
he would surely get smoked by the athleticism of today's players, but literally no one plays that kind of post game anymore...except for maybe the other gasol in memphis

There aren't enough players with developed skill any more. The league is raw talent.

More guys like Dirk would be better for the sport.

Only reason Kobe is effective at all anymore is because he became super ****ing skilled at his craft.

[KevB]

Originally Posted by RustShack

He was also playing against lesser athletes. This generation is just much more athletic with improved workouts, supplements, and all that jazz.

It's all relative in terms of athleticism, so your point is really moot. Jordan was going against players with the same workouts, supplements, etc. as LeBron is going against in his generation. In addition, the most important distinction between eras IMO is the style of play. Teams back then were allowed to bully, culminating with the Jordan Rules. Guys would get beat to hell when they went into the lane back then, and it was accepted.

[the Talking Can]

the way Detroit and new york played defense back then....the whole team would be t'd up and thrown out today...you never came in the lane for free

you had enforcers, hockey style...

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

who were the 3s with the celts prior to Reggie? I can't recall.

Some white dude named Larry.

[Hammock Parties]

Wow, what being the GOAT does to your mind. My precious.

For a rage-filled day and a half, he thought he'd lost two of his Bulls championship rings, No. 3 and No. 5. He tore the house apart screaming, "Who stole my rings? Who stole No. 5?"

"You talk about a mad f---ing panic," he says.

Following the final title, the Bulls presented him a case with room for all six rings, but Jordan had never put them together. Now as he found them spread around the house, he slipped each one into its slot. He began plotting amendments to his will that if the missing rings emerged for sale after his death, they should be returned immediately to his estate. Buying a duplicate wouldn't be worth it, because even if he didn't tell anyone, he'd know. Finally the missing rings were found in a memorabilia room, and the set of six was complete. He could exhale and continue packing.

[ChiefsCountry]

Rumor now is Howard for Rondo.
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[kcxiv]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

lesser athletes?

you do realize there isnt a good Center in the NBA today, or a dominating one. Jordan had to go up against a dominating big man like every night.

Dwight Howard would be garbage at his position in that era, and he is considered the best Center currently because he has no competition or talent at it.

Also, there was no zone and you could hand check so it kinda cancels stuff out.

But yes, Dwight is good rebounding and can block a shot, but he's ****ing awful on offense. He has no rythm at all. I hope the Lakers can trade hiim for something decent.

He's never going to be that guy because he cant score when it counts you cant give him the ball in the post and say go to work. He just doesnt posses them attributes. He's NEVER gotten better in the post. If he has its SLIGHT.

I have had a chance to watch alot of his game go go league pass and im disappointed.

[kcxiv]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Rumor now is Howard for Rondo.
Posted via Mobile Device

It would have to be a bit more then that though. Dwight is 19 million Rondo is 11 million. They gotta throw in someone decent in there.

[tk13]

That Jordan article is great. That's why all things being equal, it'd be tough to ever take Kobe or LeBron over him. He has a ruthless streak that might surpass any athlete in any sport, ever. Even today he can pick apart their game. He would literally devote his entire waking life to destroying anyone who challenged him.

Another amazing Jordan stat is he once had 10 triple doubles in 11 games. The one game he missed out he had 40/7/11. Can you imagine if someone did that now? They'd spend 45 minutes a night talking about it on Sportscenter.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by tk13

That Jordan article is great. That's why all things being equal, it'd be tough to ever take Kobe or LeBron over him. He has a ruthless streak that might surpass any athlete in any sport, ever. Even today he can pick apart their game. He would literally devote his entire waking life to destroying anyone who challenged him.

As stated before, Kobe isn't even in the discussion (or at least shouldn't be...it's amazing to me how often he gets thrown in that mix, though). If LeBron actually continues somewhat near the pace he is for the rest of his career, he will be. Kobe's just nowhere near the caliber of player of MJ (or even LeBron, whose prime is proving to be at a much higher level than Kobe's was). Kobe may have significantly contributed to and won championships with other great players, but his impact on a game is just not the same as either of those two. That doesn't mean he's not an all-time great, it just means he's not one of the top 5 players ever to play the game.

Charles Barkley actually called LeBron a "bigger, stronger Michael Jordan" the other night. And if you're being honest with yourself, you have to admit that's exactly what the guy is playing like these days.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by KevB

With all the Jordan talk, I went back to look at his stats to remind myself just how damn good he was. I do this periodically, and I'm amazed every time. It seems that Jordan's mystique now is about the championships, and that's obviously well-earned. But the guy's stats are off the damn charts.

Jordan stats

Check that 87-88 season for example.

82 games played; 40 minutes per game
35 ppg average on 54% shooting
He averaged 5.5 boards, 5.9 assists, 3.2 steals and 1.6 blocks per game. That's just straight up filthy. 1.6 blocks? Are you kidding me?

If LeBron puts up that line in one game, we swoon. MJ's season averages are just amazing.

Michael Jordan's 1987-1988 season: 31.7 PER, .603 TS%, .537 eFG%, 7.8 TRB%, 27.0 AST%, 3.6 STL%, 2.4 BLK%, 123 ORtg, 101 DRtg, 21.2 WS, .308 WS/48

LeBron James' 2012-2013 season: 31. 4 PER, .637 TS%, .604 eFG%, 13.0 TRB%, 34.1 AST%, 2.3 STL%, 1.8 BLK%, 124 ORtg, 103 DRtg, 12.3 WS (so far), .307 WS/48

Yeah, reminiscing about the past is great and all, but don't let that feeling of nostalgia ignore the history that's going on in the present.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Michael Jordan's 1987-1988 season: 31.7 PER, .603 TS%, .537 eFG%, 7.8 TRB%, 27.0 AST%, 3.6 STL%, 2.4 BLK%, 123 ORtg, 101 DRtg, 21.2 WS, .308 WS/48

LeBron James' 2012-2013 season: 31. 4 PER, .637 TS%, .604 eFG%, 13.0 TRB%, 34.1 AST%, 2.3 STL%, 1.8 BLK%, 124 ORtg, 103 DRtg, 12.3 WS (so far), .307 WS/48

Yeah, reminiscing about the past is great and all, but don't let that feeling of nostalgia ignore the history that's going on in the present.

As we've all said, LeBron is the most talented player of all time. He will probably be the most statistically impressive of all time if he stays healthy.

But your homerism for LeBron shows its true colors if you're even trying to put LeBron in the same conversation as MJ. MJ was the most clutch player of all time. And don't sell the bullshit that LeBron's clutchness comes even remotely close to MJ's.

MJ was better than LeBron. Barring some major turnaround in LeBron's game, it will stay that way. No, don't sell the BS which I know you will that this is a knock on LeBron. It is a compliment to a player who is one of the best players to ever play in ANY sport.

[okcchief]

It's not fair to compare LeBron and Jordan until James is done. However, when it's all said and done I'm betting LeBron will be viewed at least as his equal, and possibly better. The only reason he wouldn't be is if he doesn't get the rings.

[-King-]

The thing about LeBron is, how long can he go. He's 6'9 275lbs and has an aggressive playing style. Like I've said before, he'll be interesting to watch once hes in his 30s.
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