MJ comments on Miami Big Three

[transitCATS]

That was at the very tail end of his career after spending most of his career trying to bring a ring to Utah.

The NBA is a different game now than when MJ played. There are a lot more high end, elite type players today IMO. For that reason, it takes a bit more to win a championship than it did before- like teaming up with an elite player SG and a good, all-star PF.

I respect your opinion, but I don't think its "high end elite" players that where lacking. You have more high flyers and less great big man like there where back in the 80's and 90's and ever before that.

The rules in the NBA have changed so the centers aren’t as dominate (Shaq and Dwight Howard can tell you that) they get in foul trouble allot more for doing things that Bill Russell, Wilt, Kareem, Hakeem, David Robinson, George Mikan would have gotten away with.

Let’s be honest Prier to Jordan the league wasn't all about high flying action, it was the beauty of the team game and how you could take a great Center with a decent scoring and defending foward or guard and a bunch of role players and walk away with an NBA title.

David Stern saw how people flocked to the arena to see guy's dunk from the free throw line and decided to change the rules to fit that type of player.

In turn Mr. Stern lined his and the NBA pockets, but at the same time killed the power of the big man.

[Implied Volatility]

That was at the very tail end of his career after spending most of his career trying to bring a ring to Utah.

The NBA is a different game now than when MJ played. There are a lot more high end, elite type players today IMO. For that reason, it takes a bit more to win a championship than it did before- like teaming up with an elite player SG and a good, all-star PF.

I'd beg to differ. It only seemed that way 'cause Jordan was so dominant. Remember the Dream Team?

[mj4life]

[quote name='

The NBA is a different game now than when MJ played. There are a lot more high end, elite type players today IMO. For that reason, it takes a bit more to win a championship than it did before- like teaming up with an elite player SG and a good, all-star PF.[/quote']

more players are PAID as if they are elite(when they are not)detroit proved you can win with a squad of above average players who play as a unit, there run might have lasted longer had they replaced b wallace with another def stopper in the paint or resigned him(and kept LB around longer)

[X-Clown]

I don't see how it's different, he went the "cheap way" to get a ring because he couldn't get one on his own (just like what everyone is accusing LeBron of doing). Certainly if Malone had won one with the Lakers, that ring gets brought up as part of his legacy, just like Clyde Drexler when he went to Houston to win one with Hakeem when he couldn't do it with Portland.

[mj4life]

I don't see how it's different, he went the "cheap way" to get a ring because he couldn't get one on his own (just like what everyone is accusing LeBron of doing). Certainly if Malone had won one with the Lakers, that ring gets brought up as part of his legacy, just like Clyde Drexler when he went to Houston to win one with Hakeem when he couldn't do it with Portland.

i think what most are saying including MJ and Barkley is that no player considered one of the top 3 players and still in his prime would leave to play second fiddle to anybody and that it should be the other way around

[Munch4455]

For sure. He would have bolted town just like Ewing. Just like David Robinson. Just like Karl Malone. Just like Isaiah Thomas. Hakeem Olajuwon. Like Julius Erving. George Gervin. Just like anybody on the Top 50 greatest of all time list.

All those cats that ran for the ring and the chance to join up with the stars of the day for a quick ring.

LOL @ ^^^^

Dr. J left the Nets after they joined the NBA bc he was screwed out of a raise he was promised. Karl Malone left in his final year in the NBA after spending 18 in Utah. David Robinson played every game of his career for the Spurs. Hakeem spent 17 years in Houston before going to Toronto for his last season. Isiah spent his whole career in Detroit. Gervin spent 11 years with San Antonio and left for his final year.

Might want to get your facts straight before saying that these people left because they wanted to win a title. Leaving during the twilight years of your career is in no way the same as leaving in the prime of your career. Lets also not forget about the fact that Lebron claims he didn't have the support he needed in Cleavland but he is also the one that signed off/suggested all the big moves that the Cavs did saying that he could win with the players he got.

[pantherfan49]

LOL @ ^^^^

Dr. J left the Nets after they joined the NBA bc he was screwed out of a raise he was promised. Karl Malone left in his final year in the NBA after spending 18 in Utah. David Robinson played every game of his career for the Spurs. Hakeem spent 17 years in Houston before going to Toronto for his last season. Isiah spent his whole career in Detroit. Gervin spent 11 years with San Antonio and left for his final year.

Might want to get your facts straight before saying that these people left because they wanted to win a title. Leaving during the twilight years of your career is in no way the same as leaving in the prime of your career. Lets also not forget about the fact that Lebron claims he didn't have the support he needed in Cleavland but he is also the one that signed off/suggested all the big moves that the Cavs did saying that he could win with the players he got.

I think you might struggle with sarcasm.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Once, again MJ is right, however people need to let this thing go. No one, and I repeat no one will ever be Michael Jordan. The closest to being MJ in the NBA today is Kobe Bryant and he still has to do a hell of a lot more things before I put him on the same podium as MJ, such as...

1. Winning one more NBA Championship to tie Mike with six total.

2. Accumulate 32,000 points or more to put him up there with MJ.

3. Win eight more scoring titles to tie Mike with ten total.

4. Average 30 points per game in his career to tie him with Mike.

5. Win one more First Team All-NBA Defensive Team to tie Mike with nine.

If Kobe does these five things I will give Bryant the oppurtunity to be on the same level as MJ. Now if Kobe (The best player in basketball today) is this far away from being on MJ's level, why the hell are we comparing LeBron "No Rings" James to him.

Leave LeBron alone, he knows just like everyone else knows that he will never be better than His Airness, Michael Jordan.

[C-A-T-S]

Lebron couldn't face the challenge of bringing an NBA title to Cleveland. Apparently he never felt he could get it done.

The greatest of all time like Jordan and Kobe stick out good times and bad and face the challenge. I mention the two most prolific winners in recent history due to the ability of modern players to move around and to an extent control their own destinies, not in disrespect to past greats.

It is totally different situations in each case, I'd be willing to go as far as to say that MJ or Kobe would not win in Cleveland especially with the way the front office is set up now. LeBron asked for help so many times it's not even funny and all they could give him for support were old players past their prime or role players expecting them to play above their heads. Kobe refused to play in the small market of Charlotte (paved his own way) so that's why he gets no respect from me!

[King Taharqa]

Kobe refused to play in the small market of Charlotte (paved his own way) so that's why he gets no respect from me!

Him and his family knew he didnt have the heart or talent to carry a small market team by himself the way LeBron has the past 7 years. Thats why he and his agent had explicit discussions of us trading him to LA and LA only who had 4 all stars on their roster at the time. Without an all-star big man by his side, Kobe isnt good enough to get out of the 1st round, barely good enough to make the playoffs. This is proven. In 2005, the Lakers did not even make the playoffs, at the same time Pau Gasol managed to lead his Grizzlies to the playoffs. Kobe has 1, yes 1 MVP in his career. Less than Steve Nash, but his fans cant stop comparing him to the GOAT. Its a joke. LOL.

[King Taharqa]

Once, again MJ is right, however people need to let this thing go. No one, and I repeat no one will ever be Michael Jordan. The closest to being MJ in the NBA today is Kobe Bryant and he still has to do a hell of a lot more things before I put him on the same podium as MJ, such as...

1. Winning one more NBA Championship to tie Mike with six total.

2. Accumulate 32,000 points or more to put him up there with MJ.

3. Win eight more scoring titles to tie Mike with ten total.

4. Average 30 points per game in his career to tie him with Mike.

5. Win one more First Team All-NBA Defensive Team to tie Mike with nine.

I would add another...

6. Win 4 more MVP awards to tie Jordan because MVP is regarded as the league's best player. All the greats have multiple. Bird has 3, Magic has 3, Jordan has 5, Russell has 5, Kareem has 6, Tim Duncan has 2, Kobe has....1? LMAO. Less than Steve Nash, less than 25 year old LeBron, and as many as Dirk. How are you the best player in the league and of the era and for the majority of your career other players have been regarded better than you? Last year LeBron was the UNDISPUTED MVP of the league and back to back winner. Something Kobe HAS never done, and something that would never happen on Jordan's watch.

If Kobe does these five things I will give Bryant the oppurtunity to be on the same level as MJ. Now if Kobe (The best player in basketball today) is this far away from being on MJ's level, why the hell are we comparing LeBron "No Rings" James to him.

People compare them to Jordan because Jordan is the standard of excellence for this generation. The difference is, LeBron has effectively established his own brand and identity even though he was heavily influenced by Jordan. Kobe has not. Kobe has poor brand identity and it shows. LeBron gets way more endorsements and is 10 times more visible than Kobe ever has been because of it. Meanwhile, Kobe plays in LA, a major media market and hasnt been able to capitalize. Outside of basketball, the guy gets 0 coverage in movies, TV, and commercials. Mainly because his identity is heavily based off of another man. Alot of people only like or love Kobe because he reminds them of Jordan. Even in this thread Kevin Greene easily and casually placed Kobe in the same sentence as Jordan. You see his fans do this alot because they understand Kobe has piggybacked Jordan's brand his entire career because he just isnt engaging enough off the court to market his own. Associating him with Jordan is the only way to make him seem bigger than what he really is, although as the stats and impact clearly show, he has failed to live up to that, team success aside.

Leave LeBron alone, he knows just like everyone else knows that he will never be better than His Airness, Michael Jordan.

i never recall him ever saying he would be. I think alot of people wanted that for him, but I dont ever recall LeBron saying he would be better. I recall him saying MJ was the GOAT and his # should be retired leaguewide.

[Britneck]

For someone who hates Kobe so much you sure do talk about him a lot.

[King Taharqa]

For someone who hates Kobe so much you sure do talk about him a lot.

For someone who loves LeBron and Cleveland so much you sure are very defensive about Kobe.

[King Taharqa]

Lol, thats what TRUE champions say. They want to beat the best, not join them.......

So if Chris Paul comes to the Bobcats he's not a TRUE champion? Since he's abandoning the franchise that drafted him to join a better team? Shouldnt he be trying to get Gerald Wallace or a Carmelo to join him in NO, rather than bolt for Charlotte or NY? Or does that bullshit only apply to the KING?

The Miami Heat were the best last year? :confused:

2009 Miami Heat 47-35, 3rd in the Southeast division, bounced out of 1st round for 4th year in a row.

Even our Bobcats beat them 3 times. LeBron isnt joining the Lakers or Celtics, he's joining a team that was worse than his. And when the Heat end up with the league's best record this season (while the Cavs dont make the playoffs) guess who is gonna be winning their 3rd straight MVP?