While the #1 selection does carry legit value, for every Batman selected, there are ten Robins - good to very good players in their own right, but lack the charisma to make their teammates better and/or lack the "alpha" gene that enables legends to carry their respective franchises on their backs. Michael Jordan definitely had both those traits - would people remember Toni Kukoc if it weren't for MJ? And it's fair to surmise that Scottie Pippen - probably the paramount example of a Robin - probably wouldn't have had nearly the same career if he didn't play for Chicago in the 90s.
I can't say that LBJ made teammates better (at least consistently)- he was already blessed with plenty of talent in Miami and Los Angeles. If anything, one can say considering the cast he's underperformed in the postseason (and his latest championship was a pretty noteworthy upset over the most successful regular-season team in NBA history). He did show the capability of carrying a team on his back with his lone championship in Cleveland (this was before Kyrie was Kyrie, and his only other notable teammate was Kevin Love) but with guys like Westbrook and AD, and Bosh and DWade, just netting 3 other championships seems a bit underwhelming. LBJ probably should have 2 more titles to be honest.
Might be the dumbest take on Lebron I've seen outside of Skip Bayless.Is it? The #1 pick is a complete crapshoot and it can produce a no-brainer Hall of Famer like LeBron, or it can produce a total dud like Kwame Brown that can set a franchise back several more years. For comparison, teams that barely make (or just miss) the playoffs can still get a tremendously talented player that takes them to the next level. A terrific example is Giannis Antetokounmpo - arguably the top player in the NBA today - and at #15 was barely a lottery pick.
While the #1 selection does carry legit value, for every Batman selected, there are ten Robins - good to very good players in their own right, but lack the charisma to make their teammates better and/or lack the "alpha" gene that enables legends to carry their respective franchises on their backs. Michael Jordan definitely had both those traits - would people remember Toni Kukoc if it weren't for MJ? And it's fair to surmise that Scottie Pippen - probably the paramount example of a Robin - probably wouldn't have had nearly the same career if he didn't play for Chicago in the 90s.
I can't say that LBJ made teammates better (at least consistently)- he was already blessed with plenty of talent in Miami and Los Angeles. If anything, one can say considering the cast he's underperformed in the postseason (and his latest championship was a pretty noteworthy upset over the most successful regular-season team in NBA history). He did show the capability of carrying a team on his back with his lone championship in Cleveland (this was before Kyrie was Kyrie, and his only other notable teammate was Kevin Love) but with guys like Westbrook and AD, and Bosh and DWade, just netting 3 other championships seems a bit underwhelming. LBJ probably should have 2 more titles to be honest.
Lol the only thing missing is, “I’d put Lebron just out of the top 25 best players of all time, but for sure top 30.”Might be the dumbest take on Lebron I've seen outside of Skip Bayless.
Might be the dumbest take on Lebron I've seen outside of Skip Bayless.
Huh?Def agree on greaser. His family won't talk to him but lebron wants to play basketball with his. I don't think they are even close to the same but lebron has certainly fired off enough ammo for a guy to feel that way.
I was surprised to see LeBron sign the 2-year extension, having him under contract with LA for 3 more seasons.
In my mind, they are nowhere near a contender even at full-health. They have an ill-fitting roster, no draft capital, no talented young pieces, and 3 guys making around $120M, one of which being Russell Westbrook.
This could be one of those freezing cold takes, but signing this extension probably eliminated LeBron competing for an NBA title over the next 3 years (unless he forces a trade). Due to the reasons highlighted above, LA has very few ways in which they can make their team appreciably better. LeBron pushing management to go all-in for Anthony Davis helped them win the bubble title, but hurt them long-term. His follow-up move last summer when he pushed the front office to acquire Westbrook set them back even further.
The only thing I can think of is the Lakers told Lebron that they would not trade any more future picks unless he was willing to sign an extension.
I'm sure there are a number of NBA teams clamoring to give assets away for the Lakers 2027 First Round Pick, Talen Horton-Tucker, and Austin Reaves.
LeBron is an incredible, top 3 of all time player. I understand why Cleveland let him push their front office into "win right now at all costs mode," but I'll never understand why one of the most storied franchises in pro sports allowed LeBron to push them to make decisions that have been so damaging to their future.
Lakers sucked before Lebron. They were desperate.I'm sure there are a number of NBA teams clamoring to give assets away for the Lakers 2027 First Round Pick, Talen Horton-Tucker, and Austin Reaves.
LeBron is an incredible, top 3 of all time player. I understand why Cleveland let him push their front office into "win right now at all costs mode," but I'll never understand why one of the most storied franchises in pro sports allowed LeBron to push them to make decisions that have been so damaging to their future.
Deadspin | LeBron just made Bronny James a made man
Deadspin | LeBron just made Bronny James a made mandeadspin.com
Lakers 2027 & 2029 first round picks will probably be lottery picks, maybe top 5.I'm sure there are a number of NBA teams clamoring to give assets away for the Lakers 2027 First Round Pick, Talen Horton-Tucker, and Austin Reaves.
LeBron is an incredible, top 3 of all time player. I understand why Cleveland let him push their front office into "win right now at all costs mode," but I'll never understand why one of the most storied franchises in pro sports allowed LeBron to push them to make decisions that have been so damaging to their future.
I was not surprised. I think a late 30's Lebron is thinking beyond his playing days at this point. He's always had a home in L.A. and loves it there. He's cashing in and getting ready for his first post-basketball move.I was surprised to see LeBron sign the 2-year extension, having him under contract with LA for 3 more seasons.
In my mind, they are nowhere near a contender even at full-health. They have an ill-fitting roster, no draft capital, no talented young pieces, and 3 guys making around $120M, one of which being Russell Westbrook.
This could be one of those freezing cold takes, but signing this extension probably eliminated LeBron competing for an NBA title over the next 3 years (unless he forces a trade). Due to the reasons highlighted above, LA has very few ways in which they can make their team appreciably better. LeBron pushing management to go all-in for Anthony Davis helped them win the bubble title, but hurt them long-term. His follow-up move last summer when he pushed the front office to acquire Westbrook set them back even further.
It’s an interesting contrast with Steph Curry, who while nowhere near the all-around player, is still a top 20 player of all time, and a more beloved guy than LeBron.Lakers sucked before Lebron. They were desperate.
Lebron is no doubt a top 5 all time player. His biggest fault is his heavy handed de facto GMing of teams he is on. Sacrifice everything for today and when it burns to the ground he leaves. I think he left titles on the table because of it.
The Lakers were irrelevant from 2012-LeBron because of their irrational loyalty to Kobe Bryant.Lakers sucked before Lebron. They were desperate.
Lebron is no doubt a top 5 all time player. His biggest fault is his heavy handed de facto GMing of teams he is on. Sacrifice everything for today and when it burns to the ground he leaves. I think he left titles on the table because of it.
If LeBron decides to, he's the real GM/coach.soooo do the Laker's draft Bronny today?
Not gonna lie, I'm really happy with their pick last night. They've got some good crackers on that roster.If LeBron decides to, he's the real GM/coach.
Yeah. Knecht was the best scorer in the draft IMO. Lakers got a steal at 17.Not gonna lie, I'm really happy with their pick last night. They've got some good crackers on that roster.
If they pick Bronny today, I'll lose my shit though. In a mad way.
Big time steal. But they'll find a way to **** it up. GuaranteedYeah. Knecht was the best scorer in the draft IMO. Lakers got a steal at 17.
He’s already the real GM/coach. Is there any real chance JJ Redick will stand up to Lebron under any circumstances? Lebron is calling all the shots. Bronny will be a Laker by the end of the day.If LeBron decides to, he's the real GM/coach.
Kings it is for the next few years.
Draft him, send his G-League ass to Australia. The old man will be an even older man when that contract runs out.
F- them both.
Well no GM is going to piss off a power agent for the reason you posted. He won't get touched if LeBron and Rich don't want him to.Draft him, send his G-League ass to Australia. The old man will be an even older man when that contract runs out.
F- them both.
That can work both ways though. Rich Paul pisses off too many owners and they're not as excited to answer the phone when he calls. It seems like a mistake for millionaires to think they've always got leverage over billionaires.Well no GM is going to piss off a power agent for the reason you posted. He won't get touched if LeBron and Rich don't want him to.
Nepotism isn’t new for Iowa fans 🫤Bronny in the nba right now is embarrassing. The shitty commentators trying to justify it is even worse.
That can work both ways though. Rich Paul pisses off too many owners and they're not as excited to answer the phone when he calls. It seems like a mistake for millionaires to think they've always got leverage over billionaires.
They are scared to get cut off from Lebron and his “team of yes men”.Bronny in the nba right now is embarrassing. The shitty commentators trying to justify it is even worse.