LeBron vs. MJ: The Debate

It’s been an interesting few days since the Miami Heat eliminated the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. While most media outlets have started concentrating on the much anticipated rematch between the Heat and the Dallas Mavericks, former Bulls forward Scottie Pippen gave the basketball world a different topic to ponder: Who is the greatest player of all time?

Pippen had this to say after the series ended…

“Michael Jordan is probably the greatest scorer to ever play in the game. But I may go as far to say Lebron James may be the greatest player to ever play the game” (Scottie Pippen on ESPN Radio Mike & Mike In The Morning).

So before I get into the argument of who is better, let me talk about Pippen for a second.

Pippen is one of the best players to ever play the game. He is on the NBA Top 50 Greatest Players list and revolutionized the point forward position, in my opinion. He was Lamar Odom and maybe even a poor man’s Kevin Durant when those guys were still playing on the jungle gym. He can say whatever he wants and has the right to his opinion. He played with Jordan, and was literally courtside for the entire series in both Miami and the games in Chicago.

The observation he made was that LeBron could one day be better than Jordan, and as crazy as that sounds at first, it could happen. Will it happen; now that is a whole different story.

Michael Jordan is the greatest player to ever play any game, in my opinion. In no other sport have I ever seen a guy with such a determination and a will to win. He’s a guy that hates to lose and that mindset spills over into everything he does. His talent is undeniable, the way he mastered every part of the game – from defense, to his mid-range and three-point shooting, to his leadership ability, and the way he was able to consistently close out games – remains unparalleled since he retired.

LeBron isn’t Michael Jordan, and until this season, I would have argued that he would never be; but something has changed. I think it’s because of the way the league is today that prevents players from maturing in a quicker manner. It takes these guys that come directly from high school or after a year of college four, five, even six seasons to develop the win or die attitude that a player must have to win championships.

Kobe Bryant was lucky. When he came into the league he had Shaquille O’Neal to play second fiddle to. That helped him learn how to win and turned him into the closest thing to MJ I’ve seen in terms of being a killer (basketball wise) late in games. LeBron has never really displayed that quality.

Last season against the Boston Celtics, LeBron allegedly quit on his team, according to Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert. While I wouldn’t go that far, he definitely didn’t have that killer mentality and it showed more and more in each loss. You have to understand though, doing everything by yourself is not going to work. Even the greats like MJ, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird had help. Pippen was a great player and he took the back seat most of the time to Jordan when it came to scoring, but he was a sensational passer and without his defense, the Bulls probably don’t win three of those six titles.

Getting out of Cleveland is exactly what LeBron needed to take the next step in his career. For as much player moves as the team made while “The King” was there, its inability to get another top player to play alongside LeBron was reason enough for him to take his talents to South Beach. This debate isn’t about “The Decision.” People are going to forget all about that in a few years anyway. It’s about his talent and what he is able to do on the basketball floor.

While LeBron isn’t MJ, he is the only player of his kind to ever play in the NBA. Never has there been a player that combined his size, skills and athleticism. What’s scary is that now he is starting to look like a closer; and ever more so, a leader. He’s playing in Miami with his best friend (Dwyane Wade) and he gets along with his teammates. Everybody giggled when the new “Big 3” pontificated about future championships, saying that four or five rings isn’t out of the realm of possibility. Well, after three rounds in their first season, LeBron, Wade, and Bosh, look to be having the last laugh because this team is going to be very good for a very long time.

Will LeBron be as great as Jordan? Who knows; but I do know one thing. He’s on a mission to win that first ring and the next great basketball dynasty looks to be starting. Who cares how they were assembled, what will be remembered is what they are able to do on the court. If other teams don’t like it, do something about it. BEAT THEM!

Email: matthew.parrino@ubspectrum.com

NBA Fantasy Mock Draft

While watching the Miami-Boston game tonight, I got to thinking: if the NBA stripped every team of every player tomorrow, what would the mock draft look like to realign the teams. Everyone will have his opinion for each pick, but in honor of draft week in the NFL last week, I thought I’d put together my list and remember, the draft takes into account the age of the player’s.

1. Dwyane Wade – This may shock a lot of people, but I don’t know of a player that possesses every quality that a star should have like D-Wade. He can handle like a point guard, play in the post better than any guard in the league, and his quickness and defense is the best in the league at his position. Wade gets to the basket and scores better than anyone in the game. His ball moves are better than any point guard in the league today, and some of the best of all time. (Iverson-esque) If you look back through the career of Wade, you’ll find that he is as clutch as anyone when it matters most. He’s willing to take the final shot and has delivered in game-changing conditions.
2. Derrick Rose – This was a tough decision. There were a handful of guys that one can argue would be second of the board, but for me, nobody is more deserving than D-Rose. In only his third season, the former Memphis Tiger has just won his first MVP award and I believe we haven’t seen anything yet. His quickness up court and to the basket is the best at his position. He’s un-guardable at times and at only 22 years old, will be a headache for opposing coaches for many years to come. Oh, and he seems to be getting better and better each game.

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3. LeBron James – I actually had Durant penciled in here but changed my mind at the last second. LeBron hasn’t yet proven to be able to deliver a championship but his talent and ability is undeniable. He can score from anywhere on the court and his motivation to become a multiple champion is something teams are looking for now a days. He is one of the best defensive players in the NBA, and that wasn’t always the case. He creates for teammates and makes everyone on the court better, which I don’t think Durant has as big an effect on his teammates.
4. Kevin Durant – The youngest player ever to win back-to-back scoring titles is only starting to figure things out. He’s a matchup nightmare and he is the best jump shooter in the league other than Dirk Nowitzki in my opinion. He is starting to develop in terms of toughness and leadership but still has room for improvement in those areas. He’ll win an NBA Championship before it’s all said and done.
5. Blake Griffin – “The Human Highlight Reel” has taken the NBA by storm and his age and freakish athleticism make him a lock to be the first big man off the board. The scary part about Griffin is that he’s just learning how to play the game at the NBA level. Give it a year or two, and he’ll be the most dominating force in the league, as long as he stays healthy. I think he makes everyone around him want to play better as was evident when he revived the career of Baron Davis and made Eric Gordon one of the top two-guards in the league.
6.  Kobe Bryant – I think he’s got enough left in the tank to continue wreaking havoc on opposing defenders for the next five or six seasons if he stays healthy.  There’s not another guy in the league that can deliver the dagger like “The Black Mamba” and his will to win is second to none.
7. Amar’e Stoudemire – The most explosive big man around the basket in the half court, STAT is in his prime and is an offensive juggernaut. His defense is always the part of his game that his critics highlight, but he has improved it since arriving in New York. The way he led the Knicks before the arrival of ‘Melo proves his worth and his ability to be a franchise man.
8. Chris Paul – The best pure point guard in the league, and all I can say about his performance against the Lakers is… WOW. The guy has nobody else in New Orleans and he just simply plays the game the right way, He makes it seem effortless and is one of the toughest guys in the league to cover. If he had a scorer to deliver the ball to, he would be a top three player. I love his personality and the leadership he has displayed even without an efficient supporting cast.
9. Dwight Howard – If I could drop him any lower I would, but his physical gifts are undeniable. He played great this year in the playoffs but it wasn’t enough to get his Magic out of the first round. My biggest issue with “Superman” is that at his size, he should be the most unstoppable force in the game, and he just simply is not. He doesn’t strike fear into anyone and unlike Shaq in his day, he doesn’t dominate a game like a man of his size and athletic ability should.
10.  Carmelo Anthony – I feel like ‘Melo is the least attractive player out of the upper echelon group of superstars. He isn’t a leader in my eyes and he doesn’t really make his teammates better. If anything, his presence made Amar’e less effective in New York after the mid-season trade. With that said, his talent is undeniable. He is one of the best scorers in the league and some of his big point performances in his career have been sensational. I just think when it comes to the superstars of the league; he’s picked last because of his lack of passing ability and vocal leadership prowess.
11. Kevin Love – The best rebounder in the NBA had a breakout season this year and he is still developing. I watched him about 10 times this season and every time I left with a dropped jaw at his consistent ability to be in position and to locate the basketball. His jump shot is no joke either and as the years go by, his offensive game will continue to flourish, making him one of the best players in the NBA.
12. Zach Randolph – If you didn’t see this guy coming you either need glasses or you didn’t watch the Grizzlies play this season. “Z-bo” was third in the league in rebounding and this season and has been an absolute dynamo in the postseason. He’s not a youngster, but he plays the game with passion and seems to have a renewed outlook on life and basketball. He is a fit on the offensive end and can score in a variety of creative ways.
13. Russell Westbrook – Maybe the fastest player in the NBA, Westbrook is another guy that’s had a breakout year this season. There are concerns about his shot selection and his youth sometimes is evident when he starts playing with frustration, but that will subside as he continues to develop and understand how to play the game. He is so energetic and really plays the game with a lot of passion and he will only get better.
14. Dirk Nowitzki – This was a tough call but I think Dirk still deserves to be this high. He hasn’t shown many signs of slowing down and he’ll only be 31 years old this year. His game shouldn’t digress too much as he gets older and his jump shot is lethal. He brings playoff experience and is a serious matchup problem for opposing teams.
15. Deron Williams – I think he’s become the forgotten man in the NBA, but D-Will is a talented player. He can score, pass, defend, and has been a clutch player in his six-year career. When healthy and at only 26 years old, Williams is the third best point guard in the NBA and a franchise player.
16. LaMarcus Aldridge – One of the best young power forwards in the game, Aldridge is really starting to come into his own. His jumper is consistent and he can make it from almost any spot on the floor. I think he needs to develop more of a killer instinct and demand the ball a bit more, but he has gotten better every year in the league.
17. Monta Ellis – One of the most talented young scorers in the league, Monta could be great in the right situation. I’m still amazed at how effective he is and the things he’s able to do on the basketball floor when I watch him. His size is somewhat of a disadvantage because bigger two’s tend to give him trouble, but his upside is through the roof if paired with a talented big.
18. Andrew Bogut – This guy is just figuring out how good he is and at only 26 years old, he’s still going to improve. Bogut led the league in blocked shots this season and was sixth in rebounding. If he can stay healthy, he’s the second best center in a league that puts a premium on the position.
19. Rajon Rondo – Not my favorite player, but he is certainly a commodity. It would be interested to see how good he could be without the assistance of three future Hall of Famers. His combination of speed and decision-making makes him unstoppable at times and he makes everyone around him better.
20. Joe Johnson – I think Johnson is finally starting to become the player everyone thought he was going to be. He’s a great regular season player but he is now starting to shine under the playoff lights. He’s turning 30 this summer but he still has enough left to interest teams.
21. Chris Bosh – He probably could’ve gone a little higher but his reputation for playing soft forced me to drop him a bit. His offensive skills are solid and he has developed into a reliable defensive player. His jumper is pretty consistent and can score around the bucket.
22.  Danny Granger – I think Granger is one of the best second-tier superstars in the league. Like Aldridge though, he still needs to be tougher mentally and demand the ball more. He’s just coming into his prime and his abilities on both ends of the floor really separate him from the rest.
23. Pau Gasol – He’s not getting any younger, but Pau Gasol is still an elite big man in this league. When he’s feeling offensively, nobody can guard him. His rebounding is solid but I think he’s benefitted from playing alongside Andrew Bynum a bit.
24. Tyreke Evans – He only played in 57 games this season but the rookie season Evans turned in is enough to place him here. He is a great offensive player and at only 21 years old, he’s going to be really good sooner rather than later.
25. Josh Smith – Probably the most athletic player in the NBA, Smith is a force on the boards and on the defensive end. He’s taken great strides offensively over the course of his career and he’s still only 25 years old and has a ton of upside.
26. Kevin Martin – Not a huge fan of Martin because I think he’s one-dimensional, but he has a ton of talent. He is a lights out shooter but I haven’t really watched him enough to comment on his defensive ability.
27. Brandon Roy – The only reason he’s this far down on the list is because of the injury concerns, but Brandon Roy seemed to dispel concerns over his two injury prone knees with his performance in this years playoffs. He’s still only 26 years old and his size creates a matchup nightmare.
28. Eric Gordon – When healthy, Gordon is a tough cover. His offensive game is top notch and he is able to catch fire often. He’s still young and developing and he’ll continue to get better.
29. Rudy Gay – This guy is super talented. He can score, defend, and has a great feel for the game. He has to develop as a leader and he could be a better defender.
30. Andrew Bynum – I could have gone a bunch of directions here but I feel like Bynum’s age and potential are too much to pass on. He’s been a pro for six years and he’s still only 23 years old. The injury issues are concerning but he’s so talented. He will continue to grow and he’ll continue to be a matchup problem for opposing big men.

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31. Nene
32. Al Jefferson
33. Danilo Gallinari
34. Brook Lopez
35. Andrea Bargnani
36. John Wall
37. Stephen Curry
38. Joaqim Noah
39. Darren Collison
40. Serge Ibaka
41. OJ Mayo
42. Jameer Nelson
43. Paul Pierce
44. Manu Ginobili
45. Stephen Jackson
46. Carlos Boozer
47. Brandon Jennings
48. DeMarcus Cousins
49. Lamar Odom
50. Andre Iguodala