I don't know if he quit. That's impossible to know. I do know that Lebron should probably win MVP every year and he more than likely would have brought multiple championships to the Cavs if they gave him any help at all.

 

(And I know he won't and realistically shouldn't win MVP every year, but he is the most valuable player in the league.)

There are just some intangibles not measured by statistics, and that is where I feel James' game lacks. Kind of like A-Rod. I still believe James will win multiple titles because he is the most physically gifted hoops player of all time, but something there is just missing. He may develop that, but I do (legitimately) question LeBron's mental toughness.

There are just some intangibles not measured by statistics, and that is where I feel James' game lacks. Kind of like A-Rod. I still believe James will win multiple titles because he is the most physically gifted hoops player of all time, but something there is just missing. He may develop that, but I do (legitimately) question LeBron's mental toughness.

 

I agree. It is just one of those things that you can't quite put your finger on. I'm not convinced he'll win multiple titles, although I wouldn't be at all surprised if he did. It's hard to predict how some of these rising teams will develop and what they'll be as the Lakers and Celtics fade. Plus, with the trend established by James, Wade and Bosh, who knows what kinds of teams we'll see in a couple of years.

 

If Chris Paul ends up in New York, for example, the trio of Paul, Anthony and Stoudemire, while not as talented overall, IMO, complement each other better on the court. Derrick Rose looks like a guy who does have that X-factor. As good as Chicago is right now, if they make that one key addition or improvement, they might end up as the team to beat in the east going forward. I always question at what point does Lebron hit the wall. He relies so much on athleticism, but at his size, how long can he maintain that level of athleticism before he starts to break down a bit? And what kind of player will he be when he can't rely on that? He obviously doesn't have the overall skill level and nuance to his game that has allowed Kobe Bryant to maintain his level of play even as the spring in his legs starts to dwindle.

I agree. It is just one of those things that you can't quite put your finger on. I'm not convinced he'll win multiple titles, although I wouldn't be at all surprised if he did. It's hard to predict how some of these rising teams will develop and what they'll be as the Lakers and Celtics fade. Plus, with the trend established by James, Wade and Bosh, who knows what kinds of teams we'll see in a couple of years.

 

If Chris Paul ends up in New York, for example, the trio of Paul, Anthony and Stoudemire, while not as talented overall, IMO, complement each other better on the court. Derrick Rose looks like a guy who does have that X-factor. As good as Chicago is right now, if they make that one key addition or improvement, they might end up as the team to beat in the east going forward. I always question at what point does Lebron hit the wall. He relies so much on athleticism, but at his size, how long can he maintain that level of athleticism before he starts to break down a bit? And what kind of player will he be when he can't rely on that? He obviously doesn't have the overall skill level and nuance to his game that has allowed Kobe Bryant to maintain his level of play even as the spring in his legs starts to dwindle.

That is going to be a big point in his career. Kobe did an amazing job slowly transition him game to his abilities as they faded. Lebron is 100 mph at the rim and taking a lot of contact. When he starts to lose some of that he isn't going to be able to do what he does now.

LeBron will have a good game about him when he loses his athleticism if he wants. He's already a better 3 point shooter at this stage of his career than Kobe was at 26. The last few years Kobe has worked to add post play to his game, I would imagine that is the route LeBron will go if he wants to maintain his effectiveness. With some hard work he could be filthy in the post in years to come and may not have the drop off in nightly production that Kobe has experienced.

LeBron will have a good game about him when he loses his athleticism if he wants. He's already a better 3 point shooter at this stage of his career than Kobe was at 26. The last few years Kobe has worked to add post play to his game, I would imagine that is the route LeBron will go if he wants to maintain his effectiveness. With some hard work he could be filthy in the post in years to come and may not have the drop off in nightly production that Kobe has experienced.

 

Bron carries A LOT more weight than Kobe, that might make things a bit more challenging later in his career.

 

6 Years ago Kobe was 34.7% from 3

 

Lebron is 33.8% from 3 now so not sure where you got he is better from 3.

Bron carries A LOT more weight than Kobe, that might make things a bit more challenging later in his career.

 

6 Years ago Kobe was 34.7% from 3

 

Lebron is 33.8% from 3 now so not sure where you got he is better from 3.

I can't remember the specifics of what I read, but there was an article a couple years ago about durability of NBA players and how you would think because of the influx of high school aged kids to the NBA, they would play more years in the NBA because of their age. The numbers show the NBA body only has X amount of games in it, not X amount of years. Good thing for LeBron he has never made deep runs in to the playoffs j/k.

 

Kobe is a good example. He is not real old, but he is in his 15th NBA season, 7 runs to the NBA Finals (which probably adds an NBA seasons in itself, not counting the times they did not make the Finals), Olympic appearances, etc. and he looks like an old man at times out there. I would say LeBron has 4-5 more years at an extremely high level before we see noticeable changes.

I would say medical technology will be even more advanced as Lebron ages as it is for Kobe/Ray Allen/Nash and guys like that who are producing at an advanced age and after playing a lot more games. I think it really depends on how bad LBJ wants it. There is no doub Kobe wants/wanted it. I agree with CCC that LBJ will develop as needed. So far he's fine relying on athletic ability.

Bron carries A LOT more weight than Kobe, that might make things a bit more challenging later in his career.

 

6 Years ago Kobe was 34.7% from 3

 

Lebron is 33.8% from 3 now so not sure where you got he is better from 3.

 

Go back one year and add up their career totals. Kobe had a high of 38% in year 7 but before that he was not that good of a 3 point shooter, with the exception on years 1 and 2 which I would guess he did not take a whole bunch of 3 point shots in.

Go back one year and add up their career totals. Kobe had a high of 38% in year 7 but before that he was not that good of a 3 point shooter, with the exception on years 1 and 2 which I would guess he did not take a whole bunch of 3 point shots in.

 

Neither are very good 3 point shooters not really sure you have a point with it. :lol: Their career averages are pretty close. I don't see Lebron getting any better as a shooter.

Neither are very good 3 point shooters not really sure you have a point with it. :lol: Their career averages are pretty close. I don't see Lebron getting any better as a shooter.

 

I see him becoming more consistent as a shooter. That is where I think he and Kobe differ. There are games where LBJ doesn't miss and shoots as good as anyone, but then the next game he might go 1 for 9 from deep. Kobe is way more consistent, but I do think that LeBron has the potential to surpass him as a pure shooter.

I understand what people are saying about not having a killer instinct, but I'm just not sure yet. When he was with the Cavs, give him someone remotely in the same league skill wise as Pippen, Gasol, or Shaq in his prime and he probably has multiple championships already. I know that there's not any way of knowing that, but I think there is a good chance it's true.

 

When Jordan retired to play baseball, the Bulls still won 50 something games and Pippen was top 3 in the MVP voting. When Kobe had a similar team as Lebron then they struggle to break .500 for 3 years and he demanded a trade. When Lebron leaves the Cavs, they are the worst team in the league and on pace for 15 wins.

 

He might lack killer instinct or whatever that intangible is, but I guess I'm all I'm saying is that we'll find out in the next 4-5 years if that's really true.

I understand what people are saying about not having a killer instinct, but I'm just not sure yet. When he was with the Cavs, give him someone remotely in the same league skill wise as Pippen, Gasol, or Shaq in his prime and he probably has multiple championships already. I know that there's not any way of knowing that, but I think there is a good chance it's true.

 

When Jordan retired to play baseball, the Bulls still won 50 something games and Pippen was top 3 in the MVP voting. When Kobe had a similar team as Lebron then they struggle to break .500 for 3 years and he demanded a trade. When Lebron leaves the Cavs, they are the worst team in the league and on pace for 15 wins.

 

He might lack killer instinct or whatever that intangible is, but I guess I'm all I'm saying is that we'll find out in the next 4-5 years if that's really true.

 

I really don't believe he does. Throw last year out, because I will be the first to admit he quit for whatever reason. But, doubters go and see him live in the playoffs, you see alot more than you do on TV. Dude can and wants to get it done at the end of games when they matter, but I will also say that I don't think he particularly cares about the regular season.

I really don't believe he does. Throw last year out, because I will be the first to admit he quit for whatever reason. But, doubters go and see him live in the playoffs, you see alot more than you do on TV. Dude can and wants to get it done at the end of games when they matter, but I will also say that I don't think he particularly cares about the regular season.

 

I agree with that. I think he figured out the last couple years that regular season doesn't matter as much as he thought it did. I went to the game in Indy a couple weeks ago and I thought the Heat gave maximum effort for 5 minutes.

I'm sure Lebron will still be a very good player even when his legs start to show some age. But, I think that could have a big affect on his overall game. He's such a dominant force. Nobody can stop him from getting to the rim, and on top of that, he's a great passer and is more of a distributor than Kobe ever was. I think the change in his game could be more drastic for that reason. He'll still be able to get poins, but will he be able to create as much for his teammates. Kobe has always been primarily a scorer, so he basically transitioned from an athletic, attack the rim type of scorer to a more crafty guy who relies on jumps shots and skill/fundamentals/footwork to get shots.

 

Also, as noted, Lebron carries much more weight. His drop off could be more sudden and more drastic. It will be interesting to see how Lebron transitions.

I'm sure Lebron will still be a very good player even when his legs start to show some age. But, I think that could have a big affect on his overall game. He's such a dominant force. Nobody can stop him from getting to the rim, and on top of that, he's a great passer and is more of a distributor than Kobe ever was. I think the change in his game could be more drastic for that reason. He'll still be able to get poins, but will he be able to create as much for his teammates. Kobe has always been primarily a scorer, so he basically transitioned from an athletic, attack the rim type of scorer to a more crafty guy who relies on jumps shots and skill/fundamentals/footwork to get shots.

 

Also, as noted, Lebron carries much more weight. His drop off could be more sudden and more drastic. It will be interesting to see how Lebron transitions.

 

I really think medicine will slow his decline.