Kerr says LeBron is Pippen, not MJ.

[seandon]

I disagree......All Pippen said was that LeBron has more talent than Jordan. Which he does! That has nothing to do with "heart". For example, Alex Rodriguez is a WAY better player than Derek Jeter, yet most people would want Jeter over A-Rod in a clutch situation. That's all that was really said.

 

[Diddy1122]

I disagree......All Pippen said was that LeBron has more talent than Jordan. Which he does! That has nothing to do with "heart". For example, Alex Rodriguez is a WAY better player than Derek Jeter, yet most people would want Jeter over A-Rod in a clutch situation. That's all that was really said.

NBA Playoffs 2011: Scottie Pippen: LeBron James could end up better than Michael Jordan - ESPN Chicago

That is not all Pip said. And I disagree 100% that Lebron has more talent than Jordan. Here's some nuggets Pip let spew out of his mouth before thinking:

"I've never seen a player that can dominate a game the way LeBron James can.

"But when the game is on the line and you need a shot to be made, he's going to make that play."

He wasn't just talking about talent. He called MJ the greatest scorer ever, which he was, but failed to also mention he's one of the greatest perimeter defenders ever, the most clutch player of all-time, a 5-time league MVP, 6-time Finals MVP, & the man who single-handedly changed the entire game of basketball for good. There's really no excusing the idiocy of Pip's statements or the ill-timing of when they were made. Simple fact is Pip would not be considered a top 50 all-time player without the GOAT by his side. I'm still waiting for Lebron to make his teammates better. Oh, that's right, he couldn't do that so he went to someone else's team so he didn't have to worry about that anymore. Not really working out for him so well though.

 

[seandon]

Pippen was not "made" by Jordan, so PLEASE STOP THE MADNESS! How the hell do u get drafted #5 overall, outta Central-Freakin-Arkansas, without being a major player! What Jordan taught Pippen was to have "Heart"! As far as talent is concerned, Pippen was better passing and defensively than Jordan was also! Forget Magic Johnson in 1991, but do u remember who stuck Jordans man in the "Flu Game" in 1997?! It was Pippen! Pippen basically created the zone defense when zoning was illegal! lol.........HERE'S THE PROBLEM: Jordan fans mistake the fact that Jordan had the biggest heart of all-time, with him having the most TALENT of all-time!

 

[Rick]

pippen had 32 points, 13 rebs, 7 assists, 5 steals in game 5 against the lakers for their first title

i would argue that lebron isnt even to pippen's status in the finals right now

This

 

[FirstTimer]

Why does this have to be a dig at james? .

Wut the hell are you talking about?

 

[Lex L.]

I disagree......All Pippen said was that LeBron has more talent than Jordan. Which he does! That has nothing to do with "heart". For example, Alex Rodriguez is a WAY better player than Derek Jeter, yet most people would want Jeter over A-Rod in a clutch situation. That's all that was really said.

First of all, people often make the mistake that just because LeBron can run a 4.4 40, that somehow translates to basketball as much as it does with all sports. The truth is, Jordan was quicker than LeBron, Jordan had better stamina than LeBron, and Jordan was more skilled at scoring than LeBron. Jordan also had better balance than LeBron. And all of that compliments each other in making Jordan a more impactful player.

LeBron would be better at football than Jordan probably, but Jordan's skills/talent apply to basketball more.

If you think Jordan was only good because he had heart, you really are a hillbilly from the sticks. Most people would have Jordan as a top 3 dunker of all time. Meanwhile, because LeBron is 6'8 and can run really fast, that makes his talent more applicable to basketball? LOL. Stooge.

 

[houheffna]

Talent wise, he is definitely the most talented player I have ever seen. That has nothing to do with how his abilities translate on the court. Jordan maximized his talents and was adept at handling the biggest moments. Mentally he is far above Lebron. Physically, the league has never seen anything like Lebron James. That has been stated time and time again, however it means nothing if he cannot apply his abilities at a high level on the court and impose his will on games like Jordan did...or even Bird and Magic were able to do.

He falls short of expectations mentally, which is more unforgivable than not being talented enough. THAT is his problem. Saying that he has more talent than Jordan is not really a big deal...it doesn't mean he is a better player. At this point, Lebron has to get tougher mentally. In that department, comparing him to MJ is like comparing a man to a boy.

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

Talent wise, he is definitely the most talented player I have ever seen. That has nothing to do with how his abilities translate on the court. Jordan maximized his talents and was adept at handling the biggest moments. Mentally he is far above Lebron. Physically, the league has never seen anything like Lebron James. That has been stated time and time again, however it means nothing if he cannot apply his abilities at a high level on the court and impose his will on games like Jordan did...or even Bird and Magic were able to do.

He falls short of expectations mentally, which is more unforgivable than not being talented enough. THAT is his problem. Saying that he has more talent than Jordan is not really a big deal...it doesn't mean he is a better player. At this point, Lebron has to get tougher mentally. In that department, comparing him to MJ is like comparing a man to a boy.

pretty much this whole post sums it perfectly

yes jordan was a damn talented player but because he had an incredible work ethic...he got the most out of his talent

lebron has physical tools and skills unrivaled by any player that has ever been in the nba...but he,on the other hand, has not nearly maximized his talent because he is lazy and does not have the mental toughness that jordan had

think also about this....when jordan was a sophomore in high school, he was cut from his varsity team

when lebron was a sophomore in high school, he was already the best player in high school and could arguably make an NBA roster, that's how much talent and potential he had

lebron easily jumped from high school to the league and didnt miss much of a step

while jordan was not a great contributor on a COLLEGE team until his sophomore year

lebron has coasted on his talent for a very long time, arguably he has made some improvements to his game, but overall he could still be quite a bit better given the talent he has, which is scary to think about

 

[thedude33]

I agree with what Hugh said in part. I think MJ was more talented than LeBron. LeBron is big and fast but MJ was pretty amazing in a variety of ways.

 

[james k]

I don't even think you could compare James to Pippen--Pippen would never have gotten torched for an entire series by Jason Terry (no offense to Terry, he did a hell of a job against James). Pippen could shut down PGs, SGs, and SFs for 48 minutes at a time. There is no comparison, at least defensively between two. Also, Pippen was the best sidekick in NBA history, a role that James will have to accept if he ever wants to win a ring...He will need to be the second banana on D-Wade's team.

 

[FirstTimer]

while jordan was not a great contributor on a COLLEGE team until his sophomore year

Disagree with this to a certain extent.

He was a big contributor to that 81-82 team.

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

Disagree with this to a certain extent.

He was a big contributor to that 81-82 team.

i guess wrong choice of words?

He was a contributor as a freshman...just not anywhere near dominant like lebron was at that age....yet

 

[Lex L.]

Talent wise, he is definitely the most talented player I have ever seen. That has nothing to do with how his abilities translate on the court. Jordan maximized his talents and was adept at handling the biggest moments. Mentally he is far above Lebron. Physically, the league has never seen anything like Lebron James. That has been stated time and time again, however it means nothing if he cannot apply his abilities at a high level on the court and impose his will on games like Jordan did...or even Bird and Magic were able to do.

Typical ignorant nonsense. This garbage you spew has everything to do with skills that translate more to other sports. It also has to do with the fact that we've already seen Jordan grow old. Jordan was quicker than James which counts for more in basketball, especially around the rim. Jordan had better body control also. LeBron is faster and stronger but this isnt football. Jordan's athleticism made more happen than it has for LeBron. Once again, LeBron runs a fast 40 while Jordan is one of the top 3 dunkers in the history of the NBA. That pretty much tells you which talent translates more to basketball.

He falls short of expectations mentally, which is more unforgivable than not being talented enough. THAT is his problem. Saying that he has more talent than Jordan is not really a big deal...it doesn't mean he is a better player. At this point, Lebron has to get tougher mentally. In that department, comparing him to MJ is like comparing a man to a boy.

It simply not accurate to condense the whole comparison to intangibles. Its something a myopic nitwit would say.

 

[Lex L.]

i guess wrong choice of words?

He was a contributor as a freshman...just not anywhere near dominant like lebron was at that age....yet

You're really talking out of your ass on this one. When Jordan was in college, coaches didnt cowtow to players as much. Jordan had to toe the line at UNC. There's an old joke that the only person to ever hold Jordan to under 20 a game was Dean Smith. The thing is, Jordan has never expressed bitterness about being underutilized at UNC. Jordan toed the line in college and so when he went to the NBA and expected others to do the same, he had more cache.

But that was a completely different era. You didnt have as many AAU coaches undermining HS coaches.

We simply dont know where Jordans game was in college, especially at the end. It was very apparent very soon that he had subjugated his game for the program/system at UNC.

 

[Lex L.]

I agree with what Hugh said in part. I think MJ was more talented than LeBron. LeBron is big and fast but MJ was pretty amazing in a variety of ways.

It seems like you're disagreeing with him. Whoheffens stance is that running fast and being strong makes you the best athlete to ever play in the NBA.

 

[97Bulls]

I think james is a hybrid of scottie pippen and vince carter. Honestly. James isn't the athlete jordan was. What james is able to do has alot to do with the way the rules have changed defense on a perimeter player. Kinda think of it as running with the wind, which james does. And running against the wind. What jordan used to do. With defense and rule changes being the wind so to speak

 

[Diddy1122]

Lebron is quickly becoming the new Wilt, a physical freak, who's immensely talented but immensely selfish & immature. Until he takes a good hard look in the mirror & changes that, he will never be put in the same breath as MJ, Magic, Bird, Kareem, Russell etc.

And I think more people are upset with Lebron because he's so incredibly talented yet is so content to skate by with his incredible athleticism & size rather than actually developing his game to make him into a truly unstoppable force.

 

[houheffna]

Lebron is quickly becoming the new Wilt, a physical freak, who's immensely talented but immensely selfish & immature. Until he takes a good hard look in the mirror & changes that, he will never be put in the same breath as MJ, Magic, Bird, Kareem, Russell etc.

And I think more people are upset with Lebron because he's so incredibly talented yet is so content to skate by with his incredible athleticism & size rather than actually developing his game to make him into a truly unstoppable force.

I hate that comparison, but I will say this, its all on him. I don't know if it was that way with Wilt. The thing I keep harping on is killer instinct. Its his willingness to defer that is the problem. He has supreme abilities on both sides of the court. People want him to work on his game...I don't see that changing much until he gets his mind right. He has everything he needs right now to dominate basketball. He just isn't strong enough mentally.

 

[houheffna]

I think james is a hybrid of scottie pippen and vince carter. Honestly. James isn't the athlete jordan was. What james is able to do has alot to do with the way the rules have changed defense on a perimeter player. Kinda think of it as running with the wind, which james does. And running against the wind. What jordan used to do. With defense and rule changes being the wind so to speak

Lebron would have scored 30ppg in 1985, no problem. His problems are in his head, he is not being aided by rules like other players, he is being disabled by his own thinking.

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

You're really talking out of your ass on this one. When Jordan was in college, coaches didnt cowtow to players as much. Jordan had to toe the line at UNC. There's an old joke that the only person to ever hold Jordan to under 20 a game was Dean Smith. The thing is, Jordan has never expressed bitterness about being underutilized at UNC. Jordan toed the line in college and so when he went to the NBA and expected others to do the same, he had more cache.

But that was a completely different era. You didnt have as many AAU coaches undermining HS coaches.

We simply dont know where Jordans game was in college, especially at the end. It was very apparent very soon that he had subjugated his game for the program/system at UNC.

nice way to start a post....

and yes i understand that jordan was somewhat held back at carolina(i dont think he would have been the nation's best player or anywhere close though imo as a freshman)....but tell me with a straight face that jordan could have came out of high school and averaged 20 5 and 5 as a rookie...

and no thats not a knock on jordan.at.all. its just that lebron was physically gifted like no other play we've seen...he was by far the best player in high school as a sophomore...his raw talent was off the charts...jordan became a great player through his talent but also through a great work ethic


i remember reading somewhere that after the summer after his freshman year at UNC..he worked his tail off

and yes...there's not the exposure or AAU stuff that goes on now...but there's still the MCD's AA games....there was still attention towards great high school basketball players...