[lynchburgwildcats]

Can you imagine how much more that would sting for the Cavs though? Thinking, "we have the finals MVP and still couldn't win".

I do agree he was clearly the finals MVP

How Valuable was he if he didn't win the most valued thing? I agree that he was amazing. Giving the MVP to a guy on the losing team is an oxymoron to me. Now if they say he is the Most Outstanding Player then I buy that.

Happy for Steph Curry and the Curry family though. Steph is simply an amazing story.

So the regular season MVP should only go to the best player on the best team in the league then? Being the better team does not mean you have the most valuable player. That Cavs team wouldn't have even sniffed the Finals if you replaced Iggy with LeBron...

[lynchburgwildcats]

how far and away is certainly debatable but he's certainly by a good stretch the best. his performance in these finals was as historical as the GS run this year.

the Cav's will rule the east for the next handful of years. he'll get them that ring. now that he will be able to cherry pick everything unlike his last stint in that awful city.

And lebron will rule the nba years after hes off the court. that is where he'll surpass jordan. he understands the business far more than any other player i've ever seen.

btw, that was the worst supporting cast to make the finals possibly ever. the only other one i can really think of? the other cleveland team that got blown out 4-0.

Statistically, this group is the third worst. LeBron's first Cleveland finals team is the second worst. The 1999 Knicks is the worst though. And LeBron's 4th best Finals supporting cast would have been Jordan's worst, and Jordan statistically faced competition far more inferior to what LeBron has had to play in the Finals.

[lynchburgwildcats]

And lebron will rule the nba years after hes off the court. that is where he'll surpass jordan. he understands the business far more than any other player i've ever seen.

I don't know. LeBron clearly has excellent business sense, but Jordan is much bigger. The LeBron brand brings in $300 million in annual sales for Nike. Jordan brings in $2.5 billion.

While that is true, we're getting to the point where kids are going to know Jordan more as a guy who "sells" shoes than a legendary basketball player.

[bluejacket]

While that is true, we're getting to the point where kids are going to know Jordan more as a guy who "sells" shoes than a legendary basketball player.

To some extent, I agree. With each passing year, more and more people never saw MJ play in his prime. They see him on YouTube and in commercials.

But don't ignore the "legend factor". If anything that aspect is growing in strength. 34% of NBA fans think that Michael Jordan could beat LeBron James in a basketball game right now. That is absurd. But it shows that MJ's position in American culture is very strong; Jordan is overwhelmingly acknowledged as the greatest of all time and a living legend. That is just one reason why LeBron will not compete with MJ in the marketplace.

[Humble_Opinion]

how far and away is certainly debatable but he's certainly by a good stretch the best. his performance in these finals was as historical as the GS run this year.

the Cav's will rule the east for the next handful of years. he'll get them that ring. now that he will be able to cherry pick everything unlike his last stint in that awful city.

And lebron will rule the nba years after hes off the court. that is where he'll surpass jordan. he understands the business far more than any other player i've ever seen.

btw, that was the worst supporting cast to make the finals possibly ever. the only other one i can really think of? the other cleveland team that got blown out 4-0.

Statistically, this group is the third worst. LeBron's first Cleveland finals team is the second worst. The 1999 Knicks is the worst though. And LeBron's 4th best Finals supporting cast would have been Jordan's worst, and Jordan statistically faced competition far more inferior to what LeBron has had to play in the Finals.

Lebron plays in a league that is much more friendly to his type of play than what Jordan did. In the late 80's and early 90's Jordan straight up got mugged in a lot of the games he played. I would bet that a good number of the fouls committed against Jordan going to the hoop vs. the Pistons would have been flagrant 2's in this league today. And I'm sorry... but Lebron is a flopper. He's a great player, no doubt and will easily go down as the best small forward in NBA history... but he's not a Jordan. Jordan changed the game and rose to an iconic stature that we will probably not see again until after Jordan is gone.

[Yacht Rock]

Au contraire mon frere!

Seattle had no "shenanigans" with Sacramento. The team was potentially up for sale and the buyers were upfront about their desire to move the team. Not the same thing as promising to keep the team in the city while making back room deals with the commish to move the team anyway.

Perhaps you weren't following it as closely but Chris Hansen was doing some pretty underhanded things and even was fined for his behavior.

As far as the fans, they had no problem stealing another city's team that still had a dedicated fan base.

[thepostman]

OK this debate is getting ridiculous. Jordan got the benefit of the doubt on almost every call. I am not saying LeBron doesn't either but because of his size some contact is often overlooked.

I can't believe I am defending lebron, the world must be ending soon.

[Humble_Opinion]

OK this debate is getting ridiculous. Jordan got the benefit of the doubt on almost every call. I am not saying LeBron doesn't either but because of his size some contact is often overlooked.

I can't believe I am defending lebron, the world must be ending soon.

Some contact is to be expected. It's the dramatic acts of Lebron after contact that make him a flopper. In some cases, it's equivalent to how I feel watching an Italy vs. Spain soccer friendly.

[From the class of 09]

If Lebron was done today it wouldn't be a conversation but he still has a few good years left and a lot could happen to increase his legacy. I used to kinda be a hater of Lebron but now I just enjoy watching someone who has the potential to be in the greatest ever conversation. The way Lebron can play all five positions is pretty remarkable. Enjoy it gentleman the level and way at which he plays the game is very rare.

[Purple Haize]

OK this debate is getting ridiculous. Jordan got the benefit of the doubt on almost every call. I am not saying LeBron doesn't either but because of his size some contact is often overlooked.

I can't believe I am defending lebron, the world must be ending soon.

AMEN

[thepostman]

OK this debate is getting ridiculous. Jordan got the benefit of the doubt on almost every call. I am not saying LeBron doesn't either but because of his size some contact is often overlooked.

I can't believe I am defending lebron, the world must be ending soon.

Some contact is to be expected. It's the dramatic acts of Lebron after contact that make him a flopper. In some cases, it's equivalent to how I feel watching an Italy vs. Spain soccer friendly.

I get it but that is not what I am arguing. I am arguing the fact that somehow Jordan had it harder when it came to the way the game is called. Jordan got the benefit of the doubt more than LeBron does. That was pretty obvious in the finals. Some of the no calls would be always called for Jordan.

This isn't to diminish Jordan and his greatness but people go overboard with it and conveniently forget reality.

[alabama24]

Au contraire mon frere!

Seattle had no "shenanigans" with Sacramento. The team was potentially up for sale and the buyers were upfront about their desire to move the team. Not the same thing as promising to keep the team in the city while making back room deals with the commish to move the team anyway.

Perhaps you weren't following it as closely but Chris Hansen was doing some pretty underhanded things and even was fined for his behavior.

As far as the fans, they had no problem stealing another city's team that still had a dedicated fan base.

That does sound underhanded. As for the fans: I know I am not the only one who was opposed to the deal.

[Humble_Opinion]

I get it but that is not what I am arguing. I am arguing the fact that somehow Jordan had it harder when it came to the way the game is called. Jordan got the benefit of the doubt more than LeBron does. That was pretty obvious in the finals. Some of the no calls would be always called for Jordan.

This isn't to diminish Jordan and his greatness but people go overboard with it and conveniently forget reality.

In the first 12 seasons of his career, Lebron averages 8.49 Free Throw Attempts per game. Throughout the his career Jordan had 8.18. I don't see how you could say that Jordan got the "benefit of the doubt more than Lebron." Both of them receive somewhat preferential treatment... my point was that you rarely saw Jordan straight up flop when he got touched like you see with Lebron at times.

[Purple Haize]

I get it but that is not what I am arguing. I am arguing the fact that somehow Jordan had it harder when it came to the way the game is called. Jordan got the benefit of the doubt more than LeBron does. That was pretty obvious in the finals. Some of the no calls would be always called for Jordan.

This isn't to diminish Jordan and his greatness but people go overboard with it and conveniently forget reality.

In the first 12 seasons of his career, Lebron averages 8.49 Free Throw Attempts per game. Throughout the his career Jordan had 8.18. I don't see how you could say that Jordan got the "benefit of the doubt more than Lebron." Both of them receive somewhat preferential treatment... my point was that you rarely saw Jordan straight up flop when he got touched like you see with Lebron at times.

Jordan was many things but a flopper wasn't one of them. He also was more of a finesse player than James. Jordan went over and around you. James goes through you

[RubberMallet]

I feel like the strategy was pretty obvious. Let Lebron do his thing. Shut everyone else down. To me, his performance was great, but not historic for that reason. If they were actually trying to shut him down and he put up those numbers it would be different. That and the whole winning thing...

um. he basically single handedly won games 2 and 3. that is why they started iggy on him. to attempt to slow him down and hope to God that they could get hot again. That was the sole reason they brought iggy in.

That this warrior team did not blow out the cavaliers is a testement to what james accomplished. the rest of his team is trash.

[RubberMallet]

I don't know. LeBron clearly has excellent business sense, but Jordan is much bigger. The LeBron brand brings in $300 million in annual sales for Nike. Jordan brings in $2.5 billion.

thats not jordan. hes not running that and never really has. and i'm talking about front office nba. jordan is clueless about running a franchise.

[bluejacket]

thats not jordan. hes not running that and never really has. and i'm talking about front office nba. jordan is clueless about running a franchise.

Jordan knows what he doing in business. He surrounded himself with people like David Falk and others and became the first billionaire athlete.

When it comes to player personnel decisions, MJ has made tons of mistakes. On that point, I completely agree.

[thepostman]

I get it but that is not what I am arguing. I am arguing the fact that somehow Jordan had it harder when it came to the way the game is called. Jordan got the benefit of the doubt more than LeBron does. That was pretty obvious in the finals. Some of the no calls would be always called for Jordan.

This isn't to diminish Jordan and his greatness but people go overboard with it and conveniently forget reality.

In the first 12 seasons of his career, Lebron averages 8.49 Free Throw Attempts per game. Throughout the his career Jordan had 8.18. I don't see how you could say that Jordan got the "benefit of the doubt more than Lebron." Both of them receive somewhat preferential treatment... my point was that you rarely saw Jordan straight up flop when he got touched like you see with Lebron at times.

Jordan was many things but a flopper wasn't one of them. He also was more of a finesse player than James. Jordan went over and around you. James goes through you

Exactly. Making the fact that they went to the line nearly the same amount even more laughable.

[lynchburgwildcats]

OK this debate is getting ridiculous. Jordan got the benefit of the doubt on almost every call. I am not saying LeBron doesn't either but because of his size some contact is often overlooked.

I can't believe I am defending lebron, the world must be ending soon.

Some contact is to be expected. It's the dramatic acts of Lebron after contact that make him a flopper. In some cases, it's equivalent to how I feel watching an Italy vs. Spain soccer friendly.

I get it but that is not what I am arguing. I am arguing the fact that somehow Jordan had it harder when it came to the way the game is called. Jordan got the benefit of the doubt more than LeBron does. That was pretty obvious in the finals. Some of the no calls would be always called for Jordan.

This isn't to diminish Jordan and his greatness but people go overboard with it and conveniently forget reality.

However, you're ignoring the fact that it was virtually impossible to double team anyone in Jordan's day because of the illegal defense rule. LeBron may not see the same type of physicality that Jordan did, but Jordan couldn't see the same type of defense that LeBron faces because of the rules.

[thepostman]

I am fairly certain that just helps my point even more. Thanks.

[ballcoach15]

Best thing about NBA playoffs: They are over. Now ESPN should focus on baseball, golf and NASCAR, the real summer sports.

[Purple Haize]

Best thing about NBA playoffs: They are over. Now ESPN should focus on baseball, golf and NASCAR, the real summer sports.

Yep. All great to have on T. V to help you nap!

[RubberMallet]

thats not jordan. hes not running that and never really has. and i'm talking about front office nba. jordan is clueless about running a franchise.

Jordan knows what he doing in business. He surrounded himself with people like David Falk and others and became the first billionaire athlete.

When it comes to player personnel decisions, MJ has made tons of mistakes. On that point, I completely agree.

he knows enough to put other people in charge of his businesses and brand. I've followed Jordan since i was a kid and beyond. it was at one point a mild obsession.

[Cider Jim]

NASCAR, the real summer sports.

Yes, Virginia, I'm living in the South.

[Purple Haize]

thats not jordan. hes not running that and never really has. and i'm talking about front office nba. jordan is clueless about running a franchise.

Jordan knows what he doing in business. He surrounded himself with people like David Falk and others and became the first billionaire athlete.

When it comes to player personnel decisions, MJ has made tons of mistakes. On that point, I completely agree.

he knows enough to put other people in charge of his businesses and brand. I've followed Jordan since i was a kid and beyond. it was at one point a mild obsession.

Jordan's problem is that he can't put people in charge of his basketball ventures because he still feels he's the best. It's sorta changed in Charlotte recently but when it comes to hoops he is woeful in the front office