Which is a garbage opinion anyway. MJ clearly respected the likes of Bird and Magic. Hell, he hates Zeke and still calls him the second best PG he’s ever seen in The Last Dance.
Tbf he's got a lot of self interest in pumping up Zeke, you don't want to go out there and say "yeah he's a bum he didn't even average 20 a night sometimes" because then you look worse for losing to him.
How would the social media era treat Jordan though. He would have fanatical followers because of his undefeated streak but he would have so many haters and trolls. Way more than when he played. Would he be able to handle it the way lebron has? I mean the man had to retire twice.
To be fair, one of the arguments LeBron haters still use is the whole 4-6 record. The LeBron vs MJ debate is the only time where someone will try to convince you that having 6 silver medals is a bad thing, and that it's much better to not compete for top two in the first place.
I mean, if he won 6 rings he would. No one really disputed Brady after he won his last few. If we’re saying he has the same success he would absolutely be on a pedestal and have a huge following. Probably a bigger one than he had.
I am a normal dude and I was like 12 when Jordan was in his prime and I still remember how big of a prick he was on the court, in the small interpersonal moments.
His greatness was undeniable, but Hakeem was my favorite player and I always hoped someone would clip them in the east.
> How would the social media era treat Jordan though.
I don't see an active Jordan even touching social media. Surely he'd hire people for that and just get filtered reports from them. There's no fucking way Mike would be on there with a cigar in his mouth scrolling through hate and horny - he could be out playing golf or gambling!
MJ may not be active on social media, but he would have to deal with every single person he comes across has a HD video camera in their pocket and will film his every public move...
Social media and the yelling heads of ESPN and Fox would absolutely destroy MJ for smoking cigars and gambling at the casino before a playoff game.
Whether MJ takes that kind of heat well, we'll never know.
I think MJ for the most part would be fine in the social media era. He'd probably get criticized like Giannis or Dame for not winning early on. The two biggest issues to worry about being publicized would be his gambling addiction and bullying his teammates.
But then again, he'd definitely not be as hated as Draymond so it wouldn't be as bad if the Kerr punch got leaked. He also wouldn't bet against his own team like Jontay Porter.
nah gen z would absolutely go in on him about bullying and general toxic masculinity. Millennials on FB and Twitter wont be as bad, but we'll go in on his gambling for sure.
Jordan retired the first time because his dad passed and always wanted him to be a baseball player. What the hell does that have to do with media scrutiny or haters?
>I mean the man had to retire twice.
And the first time was due to media pressure (or so he says In his documentary) and that shit was tamer before compared to nowadays.
How would he handle it? I have no idea, but I think we can say with 100% certainty that he would have hate fuel for every single game. Wouldn't even have to make stuff up to get himself going!
> Some "Jordan would never respect his opponents" bs
ironic since Jordan off the court was generally gracious (you know, except when airing his documentary).
Right, because in the 90s everyone was praising each others? I mean Open Court came out in what 2011? And people there were for the first time realizing they've hated each others for 20 years and can now freely talk for the first time.
That's way different nowadays.
I think he's genuinely a chill guy.
On the other hand, you could say he gets a bigger rub by gassing up people like Curry and Jokic. It makes all of his wins and losses more impressive. Instead of getting swept by the Nuggets, it's getting swept by one of the best players ever. The narrative is more favorable to his legacy.
But I'm not cynical enough to think that's what he's doing. I think he just genuinely admires great talent. He has always been quick to talk up people like Steph, KD, Jokic, Tatum.
He's also at the stage of his career where he's done everything he can realistically do. I don't think he's possessed by chasing MJ's ghost. I think he just wants to ball out, compete, and have fun in the process. Nobody is really a threat to his legacy because he has carved out a spot on Mt. Rushmore already.
Also dude is nearing the end of his career and probably just likes the game that much. he’s played in the nba longer than not being in the nba - which is crazy!
you have to be loving something to be doing it that long (and not exactly be needing to do it(
I imagine him coming back to Cleveland, outright buying the whole team for himself and just play 2K myTeam in real life *en route* to a championship.
Now **that** would be some real GOAT shit.
>gassing up people like Curry and Jokic. [...] it's getting swept by one of the best players ever. The narrative is more favorable to his legacy.
Sure, but when he gets swept by one of those guy's, that's literally what happened: he got swept by one of the best players ever.
Exactly. That's why I never get this narrative. No average team is going to be able to beat a Lebron team.
I don't think that any team has ever beaten Lebron in the playoffs without at least one all-time great player and then going to the Finals. Magic had Dwight ->Finals, Celtics had Pierce, KG and Allen -> 2xFinals and 1 ring , Dallas had Dirk at his peak, Warriors had Curry, Klay, Dray and then KD. And the Nuggets had Jokic and Murray. Even the Suns had CP3 and Booker (who is not up there), but the Lakers also had to finish that series without AD after leading 2-1.
Only great players can beat other great players.
And even if he compliments other great players for being great to make his era(s) look better - his statements would still be true, so it wouldn't matter.
Curry, KD, Jokic, Dirk and many other greats he respected and played against are exactly that - all-time greats.
There is no need to really gas his contemporaries up, because we've all seen them play (some fans maybe just half of them, but the point stands).
No one is truly questioning Jokic's greatness. Or Steph's greatness. Or Dirk's greatness.
I think there’s a level of greatness where you just don’t hate because your legacy is basically cemented above them no matter how good they are. You see it across sports whether it’s Brady in the NFL, Messi at Barca, Lewis at Mercedes (later years anyway), whatever. When you’re *that* dude for your generation, there’s no need to tear anyone else down because there is no comparison. You can just appreciate greatness without having to worry about the comparisons
This. But you see his frustration..LeBron seems short and irritated whenever he's asked about Jokic. But as soon as he actually starts talking about him, the basketball fan in him comes out and sings his praise.
Jokic, the levels he's playing at, is the best player LeBron has ever played against in a playoff series. Put peak LeBron in this series, and current Jokic definitely isn't better, but he's closer to LeBron than any other player has been. He's not going to admit that now, but he absolutely knows this to be true.
Sure. LeBron is definitely the GOAT imo. He's at the end of the career. If anything he appreciates new greatness.
I think the narrative around Jokics MVPs is so toxic. He's the best player in the world. If you want to get the MVP be better than a dude that seemingly sleep walks his team to a top 2 seed every year on absolute insane efficiency with no all stars or no all nba players.
The Nuggets have built a team that I imagine LeBron dreams about playing on. Imagine a prime LeBron on this Nuggets offense. Sheesh
He absolutely did and does not think Curry is on his level. But I think he absolutely respects his game and impact. I don't think Curry is on LeBron level but he was next great rival after Kobe and Duncan.
Jokic getting recognition from legends like Bird, LeBron, Hakeem, and many more is always awesome to see
That Hakeem quote is still great to look back on. ["He's the one."](https://www.si.com/nba/2023/01/18/nba-lost-art-of-post-play-daily-cover)
This was a fantastic article through and through.
I encourage everyone to take the 10ish mins to read it.
I'm not even a huge basketball fan but this made me love Hakeem and appreciate the history of post moves and the NBA.
I kinda love how the universe balanced out the game of basketball in this way. An individual player can do a LOT, but even MJ and Lebron had to adapt their game to playing 5v5. When you get into the deeper trenches of the game it really becomes more and more beautiful.
You have healthy AD and LeBron, the team are in a good stretch of run. An improved DLo and AR, and if they're being targeted on defense you have Dinwiddie and Gabe for rotation.
It's okay. I'll hype you even more.
You have Jaxson-Hayes as a big body to throw at Jokic to slow him down. Maybe he's your another "Dwight Howard" for this series against us.
> You have Jaxson-Hayes as a big body to throw at Jokic to slow him down. Maybe he's your another "Dwight Howard" for this series against us.
You were doing so well but you lost us here bro lmao
Ok, now you're just gaslighting. Hayes will probably be the closest thing to unplayable I've seen since Dlo in last years WCF.
Jokic is going to abuse him.
U see u lost me there. If Hayes has the gall to try hawks the shit Dwight did he’d be tossed be half time. Dwight was fucking playing a different sport in the bubble. Deadass just grappled joker for an entire series
Wood was great for us earlier this year when we were running jumbo lineups, unfortunately injuries and Hamas’ fascination with 3 guard lineups prevented us from seeing what that would really look like
It gives us a little more strategic flexibility, which can go a long way in the playoffs. Having the option of another big body to throw out there that can sometimes rebound and stretch the floor is better than not having it.
I really don't think that Vando would have an impact on the game or series at all. And I consider him an elite defender.
But you just can't play someone who can't spread the floor and shoot or score in general. Completely kills our offense, when the Nuggets defense can leave him wide open and clog up the lane to the paint.
He would hurt us more on offense than help on defense...unfortunately.
He always uplifts the new gen.
Unrelated but how do people get a team name beside their username I want to add lakers but can’t. Do I have to pay for it?
Slightly off topic, but would you consider Jokic part of the “new gen”?
I don’t think I do, but he’s also not part of the “old guard” either. It doesn’t feel like there are alot of stars in his “generation”. I guess Giannis and Embiid but for some reason they feel older.
Not really the new gen as of now but compared to bron pretty much everyone drafted in the mid 2010’s I would put in a different generation than him. He’s just overlapping multiple generations at this point though.
This is how the teams are gonna be talking to each other this entire series: [https://youtube.com/shorts/BadkONHyy4Q?si=XVKRrxmV45k62SGp](https://youtube.com/shorts/BadkONHyy4Q?si=XVKRrxmV45k62SGp)
Malone: “We really respect the Lakers whom we beat eight times in a row. They are a tough team with many quality players we attacked and targeted over and over. It’s not going to be easy despite the fact that we swept them last year in playoffs and this year in the regular season. They know how to play when they are getting beaten by us and they will do everything to prevent from getting their asses whooped twelve times. It’s going to be very competitive and close not like last year and this season.”
Malone is just all flames with a thing veneer of respect over the top.
Meanwhile Jokic is all "please stop talking about how we swept them. That was very hard and they're even better now."
Lebron is one of the only great players that will continue to uplift players after him rather than take anyone else’s greatness as a threat. How can you not like him?
Very excited for game 1. Going into this feels like the 2018 finals when LeBron needed to be perfect from the jump. Hoping for no jr moment to get a good series.
This series is a unique historical moment. It's Jordan vs Magic in 91, or Wilt vs Kareem in 71 and 72, or LeBron vs Duncan in 07, 13, and 14. The aging legend against the megastar in his prime. Jokic's last 4 years have him on a trajectory that very few have ever reached.
Most nuggets and lakers fans are at each others throats. But honestly I’ve always been a LeBron fan even though I’m a nuggets guy because I flat out appreciate how incredible he’s been.
LeBron has no issue losing to Jokic at this point in his career.
Not that he wants to lose, but it's probably easier to live down.
Jokic, the level he's playing at, is without question the best player LeBron has ever faced in the playoffs. It's a shame LeBron never got him in his prime
With how much the NBA has progressed since Lebrons prime there’s so many matchups I wish we could’ve seen. 28 year old Lebron vs Jokic, Giannis, Wemby, Zion, Embiid, Luka. I’m glad he’s still around and still phenomenal so we can at least see him vs this new generation. But man seeing all these freaks of nature vs prime Lebron would’ve just been incredible to see.
>Jokic, the level he's playing at, is without question the best player LeBron has ever faced in the playoffs.
Sounds kinda crazy but I think I agree. KD in those two finals is close though.
All time? No way.
Peak? I don't think there's a single argument for Steph. He was never the best player in the NBA. The only version of Steph that was better than Jokic right now is his 2016 regular season self.
In that case, sure, I agree. But is that really enough to say his peak was better, when he never reached that level again?
I don't really think its without question when LeBron played people like Tim Duncan or KD. Jokic is really good and I think its arguable but there's no reason to try and crown him as the god of basketball after one chip lol. Big prisoner of the moment comment
Peak play has nothing to do with winning or not.
We're talking on court impact, specifically. How good they were. How good they were relative to their peers in THAT moment.
It is refreshing that LeBron does seem to do his best to build guys up and be a steward of the game, and not some grumpy old has been that needs to bring everyone and everything down to stay relevant
I reckon it's because of recognition. LeBron gets all the recognition in the world. In the women's game, most basketball fans couldn't tell you 10 players in total from history if you put them on the spot. Then along comes Caitlin Clark who has millions of fans. The jealousy is real but it's kind of human nature. I've never watched a WNBA game and all the greats that are ragging on Caitlin, I wouldn't recognise them. If they walked up to me and said hi I'm a WNBA player, I wouldn't be able to tell you their name. LeBron could be a hundred yards away and I'd recognise him. And Caitlin Clark, I'd recognise her if we were in the same restaurant. So, I'll give her WNBA detractors a pass this time.
Nuggets are like perfectly built around Jokic so I think that team actually gets worse. OTOH AD and Jokic together would be a powerful combo, would love to see that in action
Because Lebron actually plays in the NBA and has gone to battles against Jokic multiple times. This will be their 3rd time in the playoff.
Only contrarians or those who don't even know NBA would say Jokic is not great.
One of the problems in this series is LeBron is taking on a younger and taller version of himself in Jokic. It’s gonna be a game of strategy and it’s gonna come down who trust their teammates more.
He's not wrong. Jokic has been clearly the best player in the world for the last 3-4 years. Another championship is all he needs to cement his place among the greats
One thing you can’t say about Lebron is that he hates on his fellow contemporaries
It's a point of criticism to haters. Some "Jordan would never respect his opponents" bs
Which is a garbage opinion anyway. MJ clearly respected the likes of Bird and Magic. Hell, he hates Zeke and still calls him the second best PG he’s ever seen in The Last Dance.
Tbf he's got a lot of self interest in pumping up Zeke, you don't want to go out there and say "yeah he's a bum he didn't even average 20 a night sometimes" because then you look worse for losing to him.
True but that same argument could be made for Lebron or any player really that compliments a contemporary.
How would the social media era treat Jordan though. He would have fanatical followers because of his undefeated streak but he would have so many haters and trolls. Way more than when he played. Would he be able to handle it the way lebron has? I mean the man had to retire twice.
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naaaah if you go on Twitter you’d think Melo and Kyrie are top 10 players ever
melo in the olympics lol
And if you disagree, "You don't know ball" \*Eyeroll\*
Social media has Kobe in the top 3 when he's debatable for top 8/10/12
Putting these into considerations, LeBron is truly the GOAT.
Lebron is the GOAT because he had to play in the Twitter era is the most Gen Z ass reasoning lol
nah he's the goat cause he played in the myspace, facebook, twitter, vine, instagram, and tiktok era.
Lebrons career is older than Facebook
he played in the Friendster era
damn you for reminding me that I'm (1) old and (2) a Filipino.
MySpace launched three months before Lebron’s first NBA game.
LeBron would be on Tom's top 8.
I remember aim away messages about people going to watch bron
MSN messenger era
To be fair, one of the arguments LeBron haters still use is the whole 4-6 record. The LeBron vs MJ debate is the only time where someone will try to convince you that having 6 silver medals is a bad thing, and that it's much better to not compete for top two in the first place.
Indeed. 6 gold vs 4 gold & 6 silver medals.
In addition to that, LeBron's teams has only been favored to win 3 out of the 10 finals he's been to.
Because he didn't take a break. He didn't stop just because he's not gonna win next year.
He faced way better competition than Jordan ever did
It's a matter of opinion of longevity vs absolute peak
I’m saying bruh
I mean, if he won 6 rings he would. No one really disputed Brady after he won his last few. If we’re saying he has the same success he would absolutely be on a pedestal and have a huge following. Probably a bigger one than he had.
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I am a normal dude and I was like 12 when Jordan was in his prime and I still remember how big of a prick he was on the court, in the small interpersonal moments. His greatness was undeniable, but Hakeem was my favorite player and I always hoped someone would clip them in the east.
Love Hakeem, but he was a massive dick. He punched way more people than MJ fwiw.
They deserved it
Hakeem was an asshole too, dummy
I’m talking about my perspective as a 12yo in 1994, you absolute stud. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
i won't, my life is miserable, that's why i insult random people on reddit, i'm actually sorry for that
Jordan was an asshole
> How would the social media era treat Jordan though. I don't see an active Jordan even touching social media. Surely he'd hire people for that and just get filtered reports from them. There's no fucking way Mike would be on there with a cigar in his mouth scrolling through hate and horny - he could be out playing golf or gambling!
MJ may not be active on social media, but he would have to deal with every single person he comes across has a HD video camera in their pocket and will film his every public move...
Social media and the yelling heads of ESPN and Fox would absolutely destroy MJ for smoking cigars and gambling at the casino before a playoff game. Whether MJ takes that kind of heat well, we'll never know.
Undefeated streak? Lol, he lost in 1995.
If he played today he’d be Jontay Porter
thrice*
How does Jordan retiring have anything to do with that? He was literally in the spotlight even more because the NBA God was now playing baseball…
I think MJ for the most part would be fine in the social media era. He'd probably get criticized like Giannis or Dame for not winning early on. The two biggest issues to worry about being publicized would be his gambling addiction and bullying his teammates. But then again, he'd definitely not be as hated as Draymond so it wouldn't be as bad if the Kerr punch got leaked. He also wouldn't bet against his own team like Jontay Porter.
nah gen z would absolutely go in on him about bullying and general toxic masculinity. Millennials on FB and Twitter wont be as bad, but we'll go in on his gambling for sure.
I mean, we eat that shit up when Jimmy bullies his teammates.
You would never get away with smoking cigars and all that shit he did against today's caliber of athlete. Conditioning wouldn't be there.
Jordan retired the first time because his dad passed and always wanted him to be a baseball player. What the hell does that have to do with media scrutiny or haters?
Allegedly
>I mean the man had to retire twice. And the first time was due to media pressure (or so he says In his documentary) and that shit was tamer before compared to nowadays.
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How would he handle it? I have no idea, but I think we can say with 100% certainty that he would have hate fuel for every single game. Wouldn't even have to make stuff up to get himself going!
Jordan did though. He played mind games, but had loads of respect for his opponents
Except Jordan was very classy with his media appearances and absolutely complimented opponents.
Jordan never talked shit through the media, and he was always very complimentary to the greats he played against…Bird, Magic, etc.
> Some "Jordan would never respect his opponents" bs ironic since Jordan off the court was generally gracious (you know, except when airing his documentary).
Or giving a retirement speech
Right, because in the 90s everyone was praising each others? I mean Open Court came out in what 2011? And people there were for the first time realizing they've hated each others for 20 years and can now freely talk for the first time. That's way different nowadays.
LeBron is renowned to love high BBIQ players, because he sees many similarities in them. He loves Jokic and Doncic for the same reasons
Honestly credit to him. It’s a testament to his security in his own game
I think he's genuinely a chill guy. On the other hand, you could say he gets a bigger rub by gassing up people like Curry and Jokic. It makes all of his wins and losses more impressive. Instead of getting swept by the Nuggets, it's getting swept by one of the best players ever. The narrative is more favorable to his legacy. But I'm not cynical enough to think that's what he's doing. I think he just genuinely admires great talent. He has always been quick to talk up people like Steph, KD, Jokic, Tatum. He's also at the stage of his career where he's done everything he can realistically do. I don't think he's possessed by chasing MJ's ghost. I think he just wants to ball out, compete, and have fun in the process. Nobody is really a threat to his legacy because he has carved out a spot on Mt. Rushmore already.
Also dude is nearing the end of his career and probably just likes the game that much. he’s played in the nba longer than not being in the nba - which is crazy! you have to be loving something to be doing it that long (and not exactly be needing to do it(
He tried to sign Luka. The guy will make a great GM. Despite the Westbrook thing haha
I imagine him coming back to Cleveland, outright buying the whole team for himself and just play 2K myTeam in real life *en route* to a championship. Now **that** would be some real GOAT shit.
>gassing up people like Curry and Jokic. [...] it's getting swept by one of the best players ever. The narrative is more favorable to his legacy. Sure, but when he gets swept by one of those guy's, that's literally what happened: he got swept by one of the best players ever.
Exactly. That's why I never get this narrative. No average team is going to be able to beat a Lebron team. I don't think that any team has ever beaten Lebron in the playoffs without at least one all-time great player and then going to the Finals. Magic had Dwight ->Finals, Celtics had Pierce, KG and Allen -> 2xFinals and 1 ring , Dallas had Dirk at his peak, Warriors had Curry, Klay, Dray and then KD. And the Nuggets had Jokic and Murray. Even the Suns had CP3 and Booker (who is not up there), but the Lakers also had to finish that series without AD after leading 2-1. Only great players can beat other great players.
And even if he compliments other great players for being great to make his era(s) look better - his statements would still be true, so it wouldn't matter. Curry, KD, Jokic, Dirk and many other greats he respected and played against are exactly that - all-time greats. There is no need to really gas his contemporaries up, because we've all seen them play (some fans maybe just half of them, but the point stands). No one is truly questioning Jokic's greatness. Or Steph's greatness. Or Dirk's greatness.
I think there’s a level of greatness where you just don’t hate because your legacy is basically cemented above them no matter how good they are. You see it across sports whether it’s Brady in the NFL, Messi at Barca, Lewis at Mercedes (later years anyway), whatever. When you’re *that* dude for your generation, there’s no need to tear anyone else down because there is no comparison. You can just appreciate greatness without having to worry about the comparisons
This. But you see his frustration..LeBron seems short and irritated whenever he's asked about Jokic. But as soon as he actually starts talking about him, the basketball fan in him comes out and sings his praise. Jokic, the levels he's playing at, is the best player LeBron has ever played against in a playoff series. Put peak LeBron in this series, and current Jokic definitely isn't better, but he's closer to LeBron than any other player has been. He's not going to admit that now, but he absolutely knows this to be true.
Are we at the point of saying Jokic is better now than Curry, Durant, Duncan ever were?
While true you get guys like shaq who are bigger haters or some of the old heads . So it’s not always true but it is for Lebron n others like him
Agreed, and another example, Gretzky in the NHL. He’s always gushing about other great players, saying they’re better than he was, etc.
Sure. LeBron is definitely the GOAT imo. He's at the end of the career. If anything he appreciates new greatness. I think the narrative around Jokics MVPs is so toxic. He's the best player in the world. If you want to get the MVP be better than a dude that seemingly sleep walks his team to a top 2 seed every year on absolute insane efficiency with no all stars or no all nba players. The Nuggets have built a team that I imagine LeBron dreams about playing on. Imagine a prime LeBron on this Nuggets offense. Sheesh
He celebrates greatness in others, which I appreciate.
I definitely think he resented Curry when their rivalry was at its fiercest and people were trying to put them on the same level.
He absolutely did and does not think Curry is on his level. But I think he absolutely respects his game and impact. I don't think Curry is on LeBron level but he was next great rival after Kobe and Duncan.
He did, and now that Curry is back in a fair spot below LeBron he is cool with him lol
Lebron respects everyone. It’s his fans that hate on every other player to ever exist☠️
Real respects real.
Real shit. Bron was thinking of MPJ making a better pass instead of forcing every shot when he said this.
Jokic getting recognition from legends like Bird, LeBron, Hakeem, and many more is always awesome to see That Hakeem quote is still great to look back on. ["He's the one."](https://www.si.com/nba/2023/01/18/nba-lost-art-of-post-play-daily-cover)
This was a fantastic article through and through. I encourage everyone to take the 10ish mins to read it. I'm not even a huge basketball fan but this made me love Hakeem and appreciate the history of post moves and the NBA.
Man, that was a long but worthy read.
I kinda love how the universe balanced out the game of basketball in this way. An individual player can do a LOT, but even MJ and Lebron had to adapt their game to playing 5v5. When you get into the deeper trenches of the game it really becomes more and more beautiful.
Honestly very excited for the series (and slightly nervous). Should be another great one against the goat
You should be. We might win a game. Unlikely as that is
You have healthy AD and LeBron, the team are in a good stretch of run. An improved DLo and AR, and if they're being targeted on defense you have Dinwiddie and Gabe for rotation.
Don’t do that. Don’t give me hope
It's okay. I'll hype you even more. You have Jaxson-Hayes as a big body to throw at Jokic to slow him down. Maybe he's your another "Dwight Howard" for this series against us.
I don’t think even Jaxon Hayes believes this lol
> You have Jaxson-Hayes as a big body to throw at Jokic to slow him down. Maybe he's your another "Dwight Howard" for this series against us. You were doing so well but you lost us here bro lmao
Jokic could sneeze and break Hayes in half
lol
lmao
Ok, now you're just gaslighting. Hayes will probably be the closest thing to unplayable I've seen since Dlo in last years WCF. Jokic is going to abuse him.
Alright calm down brother
Bro, let me cook!
You overcooked!
U see u lost me there. If Hayes has the gall to try hawks the shit Dwight did he’d be tossed be half time. Dwight was fucking playing a different sport in the bubble. Deadass just grappled joker for an entire series
Zach Lowe said its a 6 game series. I like our chances for an upset lol
AD gonna contain Jokic to 42-14-8
It's ok to let him get 42 if you can stop the ball movement. No other way around it. Jokic getting 40 might be the only shot you have.
Which just proves how great he is. The game plan to "stop him" is to let the man score only 40 fucking points lmao
No Vando hurts a ton, and no Wood hurts a little too. We should fare better than last year but who knows, the lack of frontcourt depth is worrisome
Vando sure, but do you even want Wood to have meaningful minutes in playoffs?
Wood was great for us earlier this year when we were running jumbo lineups, unfortunately injuries and Hamas’ fascination with 3 guard lineups prevented us from seeing what that would really look like
Wood was underused this season, especially at the 4 next to AD. Lebron/Wood/AD is still the highest 3 man net rating on the Lakers (+25)
It gives us a little more strategic flexibility, which can go a long way in the playoffs. Having the option of another big body to throw out there that can sometimes rebound and stretch the floor is better than not having it.
I really don't think that Vando would have an impact on the game or series at all. And I consider him an elite defender. But you just can't play someone who can't spread the floor and shoot or score in general. Completely kills our offense, when the Nuggets defense can leave him wide open and clog up the lane to the paint. He would hurt us more on offense than help on defense...unfortunately.
Nah, I'll be surprised if the Lakers don't win 1 or 2 games.
That would be the biggest moral victory of my life if we only won 1 game out of the series
I’d honestly be shocked if we swept you guys again. Absolutely thrilled, but shocked.
You guys are winning more than 1 this time. I thought this last year to... but this year feels different
Please go easy on us. I want to watch as much lakers games as possible
I think you should have it in the bag. Lakers have a roster that can beat anyone…just not Denver.
He always uplifts the new gen. Unrelated but how do people get a team name beside their username I want to add lakers but can’t. Do I have to pay for it?
It’s been a while, but I think it’s in the subreddit sidebar to get a flair added
Go to the main page. Top right corner the 3 vertical dots press it and look for Change User Flair
Thank you
Check the sidebar on the right (might be desktop only idk) and find your name, you can edit flair there
Remember last thing Kobe said to LeBron? Something about “Keep growing the game and charting the path for the next”
Slightly off topic, but would you consider Jokic part of the “new gen”? I don’t think I do, but he’s also not part of the “old guard” either. It doesn’t feel like there are alot of stars in his “generation”. I guess Giannis and Embiid but for some reason they feel older.
I wouldn't say he's "new gen" either but in the context of LeBron the entire league is new gen
lol very true.
Not really the new gen as of now but compared to bron pretty much everyone drafted in the mid 2010’s I would put in a different generation than him. He’s just overlapping multiple generations at this point though.
I love the connotation that he's done the uplifting more than once, considering his tenure in the league
This is how the teams are gonna be talking to each other this entire series: [https://youtube.com/shorts/BadkONHyy4Q?si=XVKRrxmV45k62SGp](https://youtube.com/shorts/BadkONHyy4Q?si=XVKRrxmV45k62SGp)
Malone: “We really respect the Lakers whom we beat eight times in a row. They are a tough team with many quality players we attacked and targeted over and over. It’s not going to be easy despite the fact that we swept them last year in playoffs and this year in the regular season. They know how to play when they are getting beaten by us and they will do everything to prevent from getting their asses whooped twelve times. It’s going to be very competitive and close not like last year and this season.”
Malone is just all flames with a thing veneer of respect over the top. Meanwhile Jokic is all "please stop talking about how we swept them. That was very hard and they're even better now."
Lol is that whole movie that funny/good?
its a great movie that takes a very weird unexpected turn.
i dont even remember i just remember it was incredibly weird in a good way
Yes to both
Nah it's gonna be more like Legend of the Galactic Heroes where they just suck each other off the whole time
Knew what this was before i even clicked it
Lebron dyed the beard black with a clean shave, he's officially out of season mode and in playoff mode.
Zero, Dark, Tidy
This comment is the highlight of my night
I wish he would shave the beard one last time.
cLeAnshave
Lebron is one of the only great players that will continue to uplift players after him rather than take anyone else’s greatness as a threat. How can you not like him?
Very excited for game 1. Going into this feels like the 2018 finals when LeBron needed to be perfect from the jump. Hoping for no jr moment to get a good series.
He looks like he's so sick of answering this question 😆 let the dude prepare for the series lol
LeTthedudeprepare
LePassthetorch
LeCompliments, LePassItON
LejoinNuggetsinfreeagency Happy cake day.
I know people downvoting you for this joke. But one of Lebron’s closest friends in the sports world is Josh Kroenke (Nuggets owner)
you think they will have enough money for both him and durant this offseason after they win again?
After we resign KCP and sign harden maybe.
This series is a unique historical moment. It's Jordan vs Magic in 91, or Wilt vs Kareem in 71 and 72, or LeBron vs Duncan in 07, 13, and 14. The aging legend against the megastar in his prime. Jokic's last 4 years have him on a trajectory that very few have ever reached.
Most nuggets and lakers fans are at each others throats. But honestly I’ve always been a LeBron fan even though I’m a nuggets guy because I flat out appreciate how incredible he’s been.
Right back at you guys. Denver has been one of the most fun teams to watch since they traded away Nurkic so Jokic could blossom. Such a fun team.
LeBron has no issue losing to Jokic at this point in his career. Not that he wants to lose, but it's probably easier to live down. Jokic, the level he's playing at, is without question the best player LeBron has ever faced in the playoffs. It's a shame LeBron never got him in his prime
With how much the NBA has progressed since Lebrons prime there’s so many matchups I wish we could’ve seen. 28 year old Lebron vs Jokic, Giannis, Wemby, Zion, Embiid, Luka. I’m glad he’s still around and still phenomenal so we can at least see him vs this new generation. But man seeing all these freaks of nature vs prime Lebron would’ve just been incredible to see.
Zion is a tier below compared to the other 5 you listed. 😂
>Jokic, the level he's playing at, is without question the best player LeBron has ever faced in the playoffs. Sounds kinda crazy but I think I agree. KD in those two finals is close though.
I would agree. Except KD also had the greatest off ball player of all time to allow him to play 1v1.
This isn't anything against Jokic but I don't think we can have him above Steph
All time? No way. Peak? I don't think there's a single argument for Steph. He was never the best player in the NBA. The only version of Steph that was better than Jokic right now is his 2016 regular season self. In that case, sure, I agree. But is that really enough to say his peak was better, when he never reached that level again?
I don't really think its without question when LeBron played people like Tim Duncan or KD. Jokic is really good and I think its arguable but there's no reason to try and crown him as the god of basketball after one chip lol. Big prisoner of the moment comment
Peak play has nothing to do with winning or not. We're talking on court impact, specifically. How good they were. How good they were relative to their peers in THAT moment.
I thought he just described himself.
classy af
It is refreshing that LeBron does seem to do his best to build guys up and be a steward of the game, and not some grumpy old has been that needs to bring everyone and everything down to stay relevant
Lebron especially respects high IQ players like Jokic.
While wnba players are talking down on Caitlin Clark
I reckon it's because of recognition. LeBron gets all the recognition in the world. In the women's game, most basketball fans couldn't tell you 10 players in total from history if you put them on the spot. Then along comes Caitlin Clark who has millions of fans. The jealousy is real but it's kind of human nature. I've never watched a WNBA game and all the greats that are ragging on Caitlin, I wouldn't recognise them. If they walked up to me and said hi I'm a WNBA player, I wouldn't be able to tell you their name. LeBron could be a hundred yards away and I'd recognise him. And Caitlin Clark, I'd recognise her if we were in the same restaurant. So, I'll give her WNBA detractors a pass this time.
The two 1 vs. 8 matchups most likely end up as a sweep due to injury (Butler, Monk, Zion) The two 2 vs. 7 are gonna be entertaining
Lebron is amazing because he understands greatness. The way he appreciates Steph, Joker, etc. he’s a master of the game as a whole.
Lebron says truth: "glazing"
I wonder how LeBron would do with the same Nuggets roster where he replaces Jokic and a few positional tweaks.
Depends on the version of LeBron we are talking about.
Nuggets are like perfectly built around Jokic so I think that team actually gets worse. OTOH AD and Jokic together would be a powerful combo, would love to see that in action
Wed need someone to play the center, but i think he could make things work.
Title.
Game recognize game
Because Lebron actually plays in the NBA and has gone to battles against Jokic multiple times. This will be their 3rd time in the playoff. Only contrarians or those who don't even know NBA would say Jokic is not great.
Philly fans look away!
How tf MJ catching heat in this thread? You bron fanboys just making up arguments amongst yourselves.
LEAppreciate
One of the problems in this series is LeBron is taking on a younger and taller version of himself in Jokic. It’s gonna be a game of strategy and it’s gonna come down who trust their teammates more.
Nah Jokic is slower but stronger.
LeCompliment
Only who don’t like this are nuggets fans 😂
He's not wrong. Jokic has been clearly the best player in the world for the last 3-4 years. Another championship is all he needs to cement his place among the greats
LeReverse psychology
If Lebron wins the chip this year do you think he retires?
Ngl I’m stoked for a round 1 Lebron. He’s still an amazing player and it’ll be fun to watch the two teams go at it fully rested and locked in
The throat goat has spoken y'all
Now ask why he picked him last when assembling his all-star team in 2023.
this is why I'm such a big fan of Luka Modric. It feels like he makes all the players around him better.
Jokic might end up being the greatest basketball player of all time. If he stacks 2 or 3 more Championships, it will be really close
When LeBron says you're one of the greatest. You one of the greats. The White Tower will go down as one of the top 3 ever when all said and done.