Locked NBA Finals Thread.

[MusterX]

 

[skysolo]

Curry kept receipts.



It takes a lot of courage to be this wrong and fat all the time. He's turning into the fat, mushmouthed version of Skip Bayless.

 

[rj144]

I hate the use of "Superstar" in this manner. What is a superstar? To me a superstar has always been a player that is almost transcendent to the game. A player known worldwide even. A player that is above a first team All Star. In my entire lifetime I think maybe I've only seen 6 or 8 true Superstars. I mean, if we start calling guys like Tatum or Ja Superstars then what do you call someone like a Jordan or Magic or Lebron? Tatum is an All Star, that is what he is.

Superstar to me is top 10 player.

 

[Revolver]

Superstar to me is top 10 player.

That’s just a star. The term super star should be saved for players that either transcend the game or people who don’t even follow much sports know who they are.

 

[Hollywood Jack]

kareem dominated longer, and he spent 3 years in college lol

People forget how athletic and dominant he was. They banned dunking in NCAA because of him.

No worries, he developed the sky-hook and dominated with that. The level of conditioning he brought to basketball was unprecedented, especially for his position. He averaged over 20 until he was 39 and averaged double figures into his 40s.

Also, Kareem aged naturally. He didn't have the science and tech that players these days have access to. And let's face it, we all saw how LBJ went from looking healthy to looking like an AIDS patient that summer and then back to being jacked again. Sus AF. Pretty sure sign that you're coming off of something for whatever reason.

 

[MusterX]

People forget how athletic and dominant he was. They banned dunking in NCAA because of him.

Kareem in High School went undefeated his sophomore and junior years then only lost 1 game as a senior. The school at one point won 71 games in a row. Then in college at UCLA he won 3 consecutive NCAA Tournaments and UCLA went 88-2 during those three seasons. Kareem was probably one of the best High School players ever, and then was the GOAT college player. He followed that with 6 NBA Chips. Just a ridiculous player arch.

 

[ferrisjso]

Al Horford "It's all good coach I'ma put the team on my back. Just change me from center to shooting guard!
Odouka "You're right, you're right, I might do that because Jaysom can't do it"
Al Horford "He just can't do it, that's all I'm saying"

I'ma dead.

 

[Fugazy]

He's right there imho.

4 rings, 1 FMVP, 2 MVP, 2 scoring titles, greatest shooter in history, three point records completely obliterated, changed the way the game is played etc. All with the same team. He didn't need to run around all over the NBA looking for titles or call Jim Gray every time he had an idea.

LeBron is a great player, but so is Curry. He deserves that recognition now. I don't rank LeBron quite as high as most and have no problem putting Curry right there with him.

LeBron is not a greater player than Curry.

The problem is that the media gave LeBron so much clock over his career and just how they look makes it hard for people to be honest about it. Curry has one or two rings left in him with this team. LeBron will have to build another super team to get close.

LeBron is great, he isn’t the goat. Curry is clearly on his level, and could pass him depending on how he finishes out his career.

 

[Hollywood Jack]

LeBron is not a greater player than Curry.

The problem is that the media gave LeBron so much clock over his career and just how they look makes it hard for people to be honest about it. Curry has one or two rings left in him with this team. LeBron will have to build another super team to get close.

LeBron is great, he isn’t the goat. Curry is clearly on his level, and could pass him depending on how he finishes out his career.

There's more truth to this than many admit, but I'm not sure if I'm entirely there with you. I do think Curry is on that level, i.e. he will be a top 10 player when he retires, if he isn't already (it'll be a lot harder to argue when it's all said and done). I think one of the main problems for him vs LBJ is stats and longevity. Not getting Finals MVP the first time around hurts a bit too.

LBJ has a higher career scoring average. He's never had a season where he averaged less than 20. Curry didn't average 20 until his 4th season, and this was after 3 years of college. He's just not as physically gifted as LBJ who had an NBA body when he was in high school. LBJ also has a higher assist average as well as the expected higher rebound average given his position, but LBJ averaging more assists when Curry is a PG isn't a good look for him in comparison.

There's also the matter that we surprisingly haven't seen a real physical decline in LBJ despite his age. And even when there is one, he can switch to 4 or even 5 due to his size. He's about 6'9" in shoes, if not barefoot, 250+, his wingspan is over 7'0". He can basically play into his 40s if he wants to. It's going to be harder for Curry to play as long, and there will likely be a steep decline if he chooses to. LBJ also has that 3-year head start to begin with from coming into the league right out of high school. Hell, it's really closer to 4 years since LBJ is born in December and Curry in March.

LBJ may separate himself so much statistically with longevity that he even takes away GOAT votes from Jordan. It's also worth noting that he averaged over 30 points this season, which is something he hadn't done since the 2000s. And it's not like he had reduced efficiency in doing so. His FG average was higher than his career average. Higher than career average on 3-point % as well.

I like Curry, but don't think he will ever be seen as GOAT level. GOAT shooter, GOAT under 6'4" or whatever, maybe even GOAT guard (if he matches/exceeds Magic in titles perhaps), but not GOAT. LBJ is already widely seen as #2 or even #1.

 

[Zebra Cheeks]

 

[rj144]

He must have got insight into Boston culture by watching this (timestamped):



Ha.

 

[Mirdad]

Lol @ sthephen a saying that Curry is better than larry bird.

Bird was a freaking gangster.

 

[Mirdad]

Bird destroys draymond Green mentally easily.

 

[Corona]

The same Lakers who got held to less than 70 points against the Pistons?

Shaq loves to ask who would guard him if he played the Dubs. Nobody. No one.

But who will he guard... Is he going to chase Draymond around the perimeter? Or will he just sit under the basket and let his teammates play 4 on 5?

the shitsons were no joke that year and the lakes dynasty was on the tail end.

lmao at thinking anyone needs to guard Gaymond and his daunting 8ppg. One true shuts down flash with hilarious ease.

 

[MusterX]

 

[Fugazy]

There's more truth to this than many admit, but I'm not sure if I'm entirely there with you. I do think Curry is on that level, i.e. he will be a top 10 player when he retires, if he isn't already (it'll be a lot harder to argue when it's all said and done). I think one of the main problems for him vs LBJ is stats and longevity. Not getting Finals MVP the first time around hurts a bit too.

LBJ has a higher career scoring average. He's never had a season where he averaged less than 20. Curry didn't average 20 until his 4th season, and this was after 3 years of college. He's just not as physically gifted as LBJ who had an NBA body when he was in high school. LBJ also has a higher assist average as well as the expected higher rebound average given his position, but LBJ averaging more assists when Curry is a PG isn't a good look for him in comparison.

There's also the matter that we surprisingly haven't seen a real physical decline in LBJ despite his age. And even when there is one, he can switch to 4 or even 5 due to his size. He's about 6'9" in shoes, if not barefoot, 250+, his wingspan is over 7'0". He can basically play into his 40s if he wants to. It's going to be harder for Curry to play as long, and there will likely be a steep decline if he chooses to. LBJ also has that 3-year head start to begin with from coming into the league right out of high school. Hell, it's really closer to 4 years since LBJ is born in December and Curry in March.

LBJ may separate himself so much statistically with longevity that he even takes away GOAT votes from Jordan. It's also worth noting that he averaged over 30 points this season, which is something he hadn't done since the 2000s. And it's not like he had reduced efficiency in doing so. His FG average was higher than his career average. Higher than career average on 3-point % as well.

I like Curry, but don't think he will ever be seen as GOAT level. GOAT shooter, GOAT under 6'4" or whatever, maybe even GOAT guard (if he matches/exceeds Magic in titles perhaps), but not GOAT. LBJ is already widely seen as #2 or even #1.

I think LeJuice being 2 is a joke and seeing him as 1 isn’t even worth discussing. Curry won’t ever rank closer to the top than LeHairline, but the gap between LeSouthBeach and Curry is much smaller than the gap between Jordan and LeFlop.

He’s top 5 ish, and as the shine wears off and once ESPN stops blowing him and this sad last act of his career is over maybe people will be able to assess him more accurately imo.

 

[heavyarms21]

Jesus fucking Christ. Trust me I'm one of the Biggest Jordan backers here and even I'll admit LeBron has a legit argument for GOAT. Literally came into the League with the Most hype and is about to be the All time leading scorer , and the only member of the 30k , 10k , 10k club. Yeah I'll knock him for 4-6 finals record , it's not a perfect career but it's the one that Rivals Jordan the most to me.

 

[MusterX]

Jesus fucking Christ. Trust me I'm one of the Biggest Jordan backers here and even I'll admit LeBron has a legit argument for GOAT. Literally came into the League with the Most hype and is about to be the All time leading scorer , and the only member of the 30k , 10k , 10k club. Yeah I'll knock him for 4-6 finals record , it's not a perfect career but it's the one that Rivals Jordan the most to me.

His longevity doesn't determine it for me any more than Kareem's did. I mean, John Stockton's assist record is practically unassailable but does anyone think he's the greatest point guard of all time besides Charles Barkley? Jordan's 13 year run with the Bulls is so obscene Lebron is still chasing what Jordan did after 19 seasons.

 

[heavyarms21]

His longevity doesn't determine it for me any more than Kareem's did. I mean, John Stockton's assist record is practically unassailable but does anyone think he's the greatest point guard of all time besides Charles Barkley? Jordan's 13 year run with the Bulls is so obscene Lebron is still chasing what Jordan did after 19 seasons.

Kareem also had Oscar and Magic for all of his titles and Majority of his career. LeBron by no means played with scrubs but relative to ERA , Oscar and Magic were way better than anyone LeBron ever played with. Also LeBrons peak defensive years 2008-2013 he was literally one of the best defensive players in the NBA and was easily the best help or weakside defender and should have been in the running for DPOY in 2013 and he doesn't get enough credit for his defense in his prime years.

 

[MusterX]

Kareem also had Oscar and Magic for all of his titles and Majority of his career. LeBron by no means played with scrubs but relative to ERA , Oscar and Magic were way better than anyone LeBron ever played with. Also LeBrons peak defensive years 2008-2013 he was literally one of the best defensive players in the NBA and was easily the best help or weakside defender and should have been in the running for DPOY in 2013 and he doesn't get enough credit for his defense in his prime years.

Yep, I know, he's an all time great player. He's not better than Jordan though.
Jordan on Defense
He was the first player in history to be selected to 9 All Defensive First teams.
He was the first player in history to get 200 steals and 100 blocks in a season, it has still only been done by 3 players. (Michael did it twice).
He was the steals leader 3 times.
He's the only guard in history, relative to his position, both in the Top 5 for blocks and Top 5 for steals.
He was the defensive Player of the Year and Scoring Champion in the same year, the only player in history to accomplish this.
His 131 blocks for the 1988 season is still the most blocks in a season by a guard in NBA history.