LeBron James

[1987_Lakers]

Are we witnessing the greatest athletic physical specimen that has ever set foot on earth?

[bergs14]

I believe he is definitely one of the best I have ever seen in my 24 year lifetime. He's got the speed, quickness, agility, co-ordination, strength, vertical, height blahblahblah. The list goes on. He's got it all.

[Graviton]

Set foot on Earth? More like the solar system.

http://memecrunch.com/meme/5XK4/lebron-is-a-alien/image.png

[imdaman99]

its either him or shaq :confusedshrug:

[lefthook00]

Greatest the NBA has seen. Not best ever in any sport though.

[TylerOO]

Hes just the greatest person to ever live. We are not worthy.

[AngelEyes]

Perhaps. Him or maybe Bo Jackson.

[Heavincent]

Adrian Peterson.

[unbreakable]

yes but dont forget hes in the age of PEDs so its not fair to other generations who didnt use the stuff

[MMM]

Wilt and Shaq are the greatest athletic specimens that the NBA have seen

[tikay0]

Wasn't this same thread made a few days ago???

Again, Bo Jackson is the greatest athlete to ever live.

[Budadiiii]

We've already covered this.... Yes he is...

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Adrian Peterson.
Adrian peterson is my favorite athlete but lebron is much more athletic. even Calvin johnson is more athletic than AP.

[Heavincent]

Adrian peterson is my favorite athlete but lebron is much more athletic. even Calvin johnson is more athletic than AP.

Nobody on this planet is "much more" athletic than AP.

[tikay0]

Nobody on this planet is "much more" athletic than AP.

I know right. :oldlol:

people act like Lebron can make the same cuts, and break through the same tackles as AP. The difference in body coordination is huge. If you really wanna go there.

Basketball is more of a gliding type sport, for guys of Lebron's size. You take someone around AP's size, with his speed, strength, AGILITY, conditioning, and then you're talking about a whole different level.

[tmacattack33]

This again?

:oldlol:

[DirtySanchez]

If you never seen LeBron play live you got to go.
Dude is one of the greats you are watching history every time he is in the court right now.

[SpecialQue]

Is Lebron better than Jesus? It's hard to tell. I mean, Lebron's got some sweet ass moves, but can he multiply loaves of bread and fish?

Really hard for me to pick who's better, to be honest. If you add Jesus to the Heat, do they improve?

inb4Ray

[PJR]

If you never seen LeBron play live you got to go.
Dude is one of the greats you are watching history every time he is in the court right now.

Seen LeBron play live now 30+ times. Don't take the oppritunity for granted one bit, either.

[ILLsmak]

Is Lebron better than Jesus? It's hard to tell. I mean, Lebron's got some sweet ass moves, but can he multiply loaves of bread and fish?

Really hard for me to pick who's better, to be honest. If you add Jesus to the Heat, do they improve?

inb4Ray

haha...

-Smak

[Pointguard]

You don't get to see football players skill and coordination at all (a little bit at quarterback), so its hard to count them in. Running backs only run, torque and high hurdle a very little bit.

I do think if they trained Lebron he could win the decathlon, whereas, I couldn't see Shaq at that level. I think Bo Jackson and Wilt Chamberlain could contend. But Lebron's coordination is other wordly. He also dwarfs Bo Jackson as well.

[noob cake]

http://img.ibtimes.com/www/data/images/full/2012/08/06/293660-usain-bolt.jpg

[tikay0]

You don't get to see football players skill and coordination at all (a little bit at quarterback), so its hard to count them in. Running backs only run, torque and high hurdle a very little bit.

I do think if they trained Lebron he could win the decathlon, whereas, I couldn't see Shaq at that level. I think Bo Jackson and Wilt Chamberlain could contend. But Lebron's coordination is other wordly. He also dwarfs Bo Jackson as well.

WTF??? Running backs do everything in the dictionary that's athletic. They run, push, take contact, burst through, use agility, juke, spin, etc. They just don't jump, although many of them post crazy verticals.

The level of body coordination between a RB, and a 6'8 athlete like Lebron isn't comparable.

Like I said, Lebron doesn't have the best body control. He is more of a straight away type athlete.

Just compare the body coordination of a guy like Nate Robinson/Derrick Rose to Lebron. It's not even close.

Even Wade has more body control than Lebron. It's just the nature of how big you are. Yes, for his size he has good body control, but on a whole, not even comparable to guys that are smaller.

[SilkkTheShocker]

WTF??? Running backs do everything in the dictionary that's athletic. They run, push, take contact, burst through, use agility, juke, spin, etc. They just don't jump, although many of them post crazy verticals.

The level of coordination between a RB, and a 6'8 athlete like Lebron isn't comparable.

Like I said, Lebron doesn't have the best body control. He is more of a straight away type athlete.

Just compare the body coordination of a guy like Nate Robinson/Derrick Rose to Lebron. It's not even close.

I knew you were going to bring that r.etard up :facepalm

[chazzy]

There are better athletes in the world who lack the basketball talent that Lebron has. His height makes him unique though

[Pointguard]

Seen LeBron play live now 30+ times. Don't take the oppritunity for granted one bit, either.
Yeah, I was saying when you see him, when he goes fast, you really believe he could go thru a brick wall. He's big and solid too. It seems like he has air packs on. It actually jolts you. Somebody here has a gif of Lebron dunking on a fast break and you SEE Kobe and Nash get taken back from Lebron's acceleration (this was the January game), and you never see that - Kobe has seen everything.

[Budadiiii]

Yeah, I was saying when you see him, when he goes fast, you really believe he could go thru a brick wall. He's big and solid too. It seems like he has air packs on. It actually jolts you. Somebody here has a gif of Lebron dunking on a fast break and you SEE Kobe and Nash get taken back from Lebron's acceleration (this was the January game), and you never see that - Kobe has seen everything.
this dunk?

http://headblitz.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lebron-james-dunks-lakers-580x408.jpg

[Pointguard]

WTF??? Running backs do everything in the dictionary that's athletic. They run, push, take contact, burst through, use agility, juke, spin, etc. They just don't jump, although many of them post crazy verticals.

The level of body coordination between a RB, and a 6'8 athlete like Lebron isn't comparable.

Like I said, Lebron doesn't have the best body control. He is more of a straight away type athlete.

Just compare the body coordination of a guy like Nate Robinson/Derrick Rose to Lebron. It's not even close.

Even Wade has more body control than Lebron. It's just the nature of how big you are. Yes, for his size he has good body control, but on a whole, not even comparable to guys that are smaller.
What do you not understand? What football player are you going to say is even more agile than Lebron - no matter how small they might be? The sport doesn't demand it. Soccer, hockey and baseball require more co-ordination. Taking contact is not athletic. Nor is pushing. Football is also not a fluid sport so you don't really see how their body adjust and handles ongoing opposition. Every sport jukes, spins and involves spurts.

Yeah smaller guys are usually more agile. But Lebron has exceptional body control for his size, he was on a fast break today and spinned around Nash who was trying to stay in front of him. He does reverse layups frequently his, and one's, are aerial adjustments. His endurance is among the best in the sport. He utilizes more skill sets than anybody in his sport which might in general the sport that demands more athletic challenges than the other sports. Lebron gets around Nate Robinson who would be one of the quickest football players on the field if he pursued the sport - and Lebron would be doing this while employing a def skill.

[Pointguard]

this dunk?

http://headblitz.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lebron-james-dunks-lakers-580x408.jpg
Yeah, Thanks.

[chazzy]

Yeah, Thanks.
:oldlol: You actually thinking Kobe has his hand on his mouth because he's GASPING in shock?

[alwaysunny]

:oldlol: You actually thinking Kobe has his hand on his mouth because he's GASPING in shock?

Nah he's just tired of seeing LeGawd blow pass him countless times over his career

[jrong]

Let's test the kids' knowledge. The greatest athlete ever was... a woman.

Babe Didrikson Zaharias. Competed in, I believe, five different pro/Olympic/college sports. Google her.

[Pointguard]

Nah he's just tired of seeing LeGawd blow pass him countless times over his career
LOL, he set himself up for that one. Its not a natural Kobe gesture at all. And why was it synchronized between Kobe, Nash and the Announcer? Then you can google Kobe and hand mouth and there are no other pictures where Kobe grabs his mouth, like its some apparent habit. :lol Chazzy, you sure you want to go this route?

[chazzy]

LOL, he set himself up for that one. Its not a natural Kobe gesture at all. And why was it synchronized between Kobe, Nash and the Announcer? Then you can google Kobe and hand mouth and there are no other pictures where Kobe grabs his mouth, like its some apparent habit. :lol Chazzy, you sure you want to go this route?
Dude, he's wiping his nose lol.. did you see it real time?

[Jax]

Let's test the kids' knowledge. The greatest athlete ever was... a woman.

Babe Didrikson Zaharias. Competed in, I believe, five different pro/Olympic/college sports. Google her.
It was born a HIM. :roll:

[tikay0]

What do you not understand? What football player are you going to say is even more agile than Lebron - no matter how small they might be? The sport doesn't demand it. Soccer, hockey and baseball require more co-ordination. Taking contact is not athletic. Nor is pushing. Football is also not a fluid sport so you don't really see how their body adjust and handles ongoing opposition. Every sport jukes, spins and involves spurts.

Yeah smaller guys are usually more agile. But Lebron has exceptional body control for his size, he was on a fast break today and spinned around Nash who was trying to stay in front of him. He does reverse layups frequently his, and one's, are aerial adjustments. His endurance is among the best in the sport. He utilizes more skill sets than anybody in his sport which might in general the sport that demands more athletic challenges than the other sports. Lebron gets around Nate Robinson who would be one of the quickest football players on the field if he pursued the sport - and Lebron would be doing this while employing a def skill.

Just looking at this post makes me wanna :facepalm .

When you said that football, especially a running back doesn't require agility, you just showed that no matter what I say, you'll keep believing what you want to believe.

Lebron is not anywhere near as agile as AP, Chris Johnson, Arian Foster, Marshaull Faulk, Barry Sanders, Bo Jackson, Marshawn Lynch, Ray Rice, Nate Robinson, Derrick Rose, Westbrook, Stephon Marbury, Allen Iverson, Steve Francis, and a shit ton of other athletes around the world.

You seriously, in your wildest dreams believe that soccer, and baseball take more coordination? Did you really say baseball? Yes, hand, eye coordination when you're swinging a bat, but that's not a natural athletic movement. One in which we're judging Lebron on. I'm not even including hockey, because they're on skates, and the majority of athletes aren't tested physically on ice, with skates on. Soccer like basketball, is more of a gliding sport. Running backs encompass everything. Side to side movement. Straight away burst. The vision to burst through a tight pocket. Power to get through a bunch of defenders hanging onto you. Foot coordination, to keep yourself balanced, as defenders are hanging onto you, and you have to power through. Jumping over a pile to get a touchdown. Having to play with pads on.

In terms of raw, physical athleticism, a RB, or corner back will always be the tops in terms of athleticism.

[eliteballer]

Eh, we see guys like LeBron. He's not that different from a McGrady. Now Shaq...that's something we might not see again in a while.

[tikay0]

Then lets take a look at fighters. Since you wanted to bring baseball and hockey into the equation, I'll bring in boxing/MMA. The sports that require, undoubtedly the most hand, eye coordination.

You really think Lebron has the compact, explosiveness of a Tyson? The way he can dodge and slip punches, while throwing lightning fast, beautiful combination punches??? The amount of body control needed in boxing/MMA is far beyond basketball.

Basketball players, solely based on their body types aren't the complete package.

You'd put Lebron in the WR/TE category. Super fast, very agile, strong, but nothing compared to a RB.

RB: Super fast, elite agility, strong as an ox.

P4P best athlete in the NBA, no questions, Nate Robinson.

[eliteballer]

Now that I think about it TMac always used to have a lot of hugely athletic plays whenever LeBron was in the house:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCeqXBYFctY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8dQBhTpTBI&t=1m13s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlJT41Tc3fE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtJRVrh5y6U

[tikay0]

Now that I think about it TMac always used to have a lot of hugely athletic plays whenever LeBron was in the house:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCeqXBYFctY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8dQBhTpTBI&t=1m13s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlJT41Tc3fE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtJRVrh5y6U

T-Mac had more body control, coordination, balance, and agility than Lebron. Lebron is too stiff.

[BrickingStar]

Eh, we see guys like LeBron. He's not that different from a McGrady. Now Shaq...that's something we might not see again in a while.
Unless you don't factor a full inch with out shoes, weight/gravity, and strength, then yes.

[lefthook00]

Look, the NFL has the best athletes in America, period. PERIOD!

NBA players are special because of their HEIGHT. Tall dudes are usually physically retarded. So LeBron is very special. But the best athletes in the world are like 5'9"-6'2"ish.

[eliteballer]

Unless you don't factor a full inch with out shoes, weight/gravity, and strength, then yes.

Eh, LeBron was a little older when he came into the league and he was already more physically mature for his age if you're talking about predraft measurements. They've always looked similar height wise:

http://thekobebeef.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/lebron-tmac.jpg

http://www.nba.com/media/cavaliers/mcgrady_bron_360_040227.jpg

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/tracy-mcgrady-of-the-houston-rockets-walks-with-lebron-news-photo/72703626

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/all-star-game-most-vaulable-player-lebron-james-of-the-news-photo/56889276

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/tracy-mcgrady-of-the-houston-rockets-stands-next-to-lebron-news-photo/52621074

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/lebron-james-of-the-cleveland-cavaliers-greets-tracy-news-photo/3078357

[jrong]

It was born a HIM. :roll:

She was an athlete in the 1930s. I don't know if reassignment surgery existed back then.

[Sakkreth]

Eh, we see guys like LeBron. He's not that different from a McGrady. Now Shaq...that's something we might not see again in a while.

It's like saying shaq isn't that diferent from dwight.

[Pointguard]

J
When you said that football, especially a running back doesn't require agility, you just showed that no matter what I say, you'll keep believing what you want to believe.

Where did I say that? I just said they don't manifest a lot of agility in the way they play. The most agile football player I ever saw was Barry Sanders and I saw him try to do a reverse layup and I was absolutely stunned. He didn't even know which foot should be raised first. Agility isn't a high demand for even a lot of running backs. Moreso for receivers but not at some high level.


Lebron is not anywhere near as agile as AP, Chris Johnson, Arian Foster, Marshaull Faulk, Barry Sanders, Bo Jackson, Marshawn Lynch, Ray Rice, Nate Robinson, Derrick Rose, Westbrook, Stephon Marbury, Allen Iverson, Steve Francis, and a shit ton of other athletes around the world.
Did I ever say he was? For his size, he way more of an impressive athletic specimen than any of them. Lebron can stay in front of derrick Rose and not one other guy on your list can do that. Lebron can get around guys with the fastest feet in basketball. You think he isn't agile - but trust me - he's at an insane level. But I never said he was more agile than said folks above. Lebron James is so much bigger than Bo Jackson its not funny. You are thinkig that football players are all very big.


Soccer like basketball, is more of a gliding sport. Running backs encompass everything. Side to side movement. Straight away burst. The vision to burst through a tight pocket. Power to get through a bunch of defenders hanging onto you. Foot coordination, to keep yourself balanced, as defenders are hanging onto you, and you have to power through. Jumping over a pile to get a touchdown. Having to play with pads on.

In terms of raw, physical athleticism, a RB, or corner back will always be the tops in terms of athleticism.
Sorry, Lebron has quicker athletes trying to stop him, has to leap all the time, has to run way more, has to power thru defenders, use lateral movement on offense and defense in a more continuous way, keep balance while dribbling a ball, use his hands in a more coordinated demand, use his reach in a far superior way, use his weight in co-ordinated, more skillful way, use his skill/athleticism for ten different skill sets, use and employ other people as assets, use hand eye coordination continuously, explode to the basket, react to teammates and defenders with burst of adjustments. Sorry its not really close at all.


Then lets take a look at fighters. Since you wanted to bring baseball and hockey into the equation, I'll bring in boxing/MMA. The sports that require, undoubtedly the most hand, eye coordination.

You have to use the whole gamut not just coordination and endurance. Run, jump, strength, balance, coordination, physical adjusting, skill alignment, quickness, explosion, endurance, agility, hand eye co-ordination, speed, utilize height/reach/physical attributes and the combinations within.

MMA fighters are interesting athletes. I think because primitive man depended on run, jump and speed so much we prioritize that is sizing up athletes. With that said, I'm sure Lebron would crush Jones in a decathlon matchup.



You'd put Lebron in the WR/TE category. Super fast, very agile, strong, but nothing compared to a RB.

With the same training, Lebron could go into football and be at least a very solid running back - he would be the biggest/strongest and tallest one and competing for the fastest. He would also be able to be a wide receiver as well. No running back could imagine Dreaming of playing basketball if the training was for years - some of that is the skill sets are harder to master but they are often tied to some athletic attribute.

[NumberSix]

Maybe, but in my honest opinion, LeBronJames is most likely on ped's.

[gengiskhan]

Are we witnessing the greatest athletic physical specimen that has ever set foot on earth?

BIRD was clearly better & best SF of all-time.

Bird did 30 / 9.3 / 6.1
Bird did 28.7 / 10.5 / 6.6
Bird did 28.1 / 9.2 / 7.6

LBJ aint even close to Bird's double doubles yet.

[ThickassGlasses]

Where did I say that? I just said they don't manifest a lot of agility in the way they play. The most agile football player I ever saw was Barry Sanders and I saw him try to do a reverse layup and I was absolutely stunned. He didn't even know which foot should be raised first. Agility isn't a high demand for even a lot of running backs. Moreso for receivers but not at some high level.

Did I ever say he was? For his size, he way more of an impressive athletic specimen than any of them. Lebron can stay in front of derrick Rose and not one other guy on your list can do that. Lebron can get around guys with the fastest feet in basketball. You think he isn't agile - but trust me - he's at an insane level. But I never said he was more agile than said folks above. Lebron James is so much bigger than Bo Jackson its not funny. You are thinkig that football players are all very big.

Sorry, Lebron has quicker athletes trying to stop him, has to leap all the time, has to run way more, has to power thru defenders, use lateral movement on offense and defense in a more continuous way, keep balance while dribbling a ball, use his hands in a more coordinated demand, use his reach in a far superior way, use his weight in co-ordinated, more skillful way, use his skill/athleticism for ten different skill sets, use and employ other people as assets, use hand eye coordination continuously, explode to the basket, react to teammates and defenders with burst of adjustments. Sorry its not really close at all.

You have to use the whole gamut not just coordination and endurance. Run, jump, strength, balance, coordination, physical adjusting, skill alignment, quickness, explosion, endurance, agility, hand eye co-ordination, speed, utilize height/reach/physical attributes and the combinations within.

MMA fighters are interesting athletes. I think because primitive man depended on run, jump and speed so much we prioritize that is sizing up athletes. With that said, I'm sure Lebron would crush Jones in a decathlon matchup.


With the same training, Lebron could go into football and be at least a very solid running back - he would be the biggest/strongest and tallest one and competing for the fastest. He would also be able to be a wide receiver as well. No running back could imagine Dreaming of playing basketball if the training was for years - some of that is the skill sets are harder to master but they are often tied to some athletic attribute.

Your comparing basketball skills as a ranking for athleticism. It doesn't work that way.

He is definitely one of the most impressive athletes we hae ever seen, but there is no way I'd put him ahead of AP, Calvin Johnson, and any other freak of nature football player. Or a select few MMA fighters, or top shelf cross fit competitors.

I could give LeBron a nod for being top 10 (with no particular order) but to act as if he is heads and tails above top tier RBs is a little absurd IMO.



Also, LeBron would be a below average RB. He's too tall.

[NumberSix]

Your comparing basketball skills as a ranking for athleticism. It doesn't work that way.

He is definitely one of the most impressive athletes we hae ever seen, but there is no way I'd put him ahead of AP, Calvin Johnson, and any other freak of nature football player. Or a select few MMA fighters, or top shelf cross fit competitors.

I could give LeBron a nod for being top 10 (with no particular order) but to act as if he is heads and tails above top tier RBs is a little absurd IMO.



Also, LeBron would be a below average RB. He's too tall.
Make no mistake about it. The NBA is by far the most elite athletic organization in the world.

Calvin Johnson and AP might look like they're possibly on LeBron's level, but remember. They look like that within their own ecosystem.

It's a fact that LeBron James is SIGNIFICANTLY bigger than Calvin Johnson. Calvin is 6'5 and in the 230's. LeBron is at least 6'8 in the 270's.

Even with LeBron being that much bigger, do you have any doubt in the world that LeBron is also faster, stronger, jumps higher? Any doubt at all?

Remember. In the NFL it's unheard of that Seattle's corners are 6'3 and still great athletes at that size. Would anyone give two shits if a 6'3 NBA player is athletic? And it's not even like those corners are a couple of Derrick Rose or Russell Westbrook level athletes either.

What separates NFL players is the toughness and pain thresholds. They're not the level of athletes that you see in the NBA though.

[iggy>]

Megatron is up there as well.

[iggy>]

Make no mistake about it. The NBA is by far the most elite athletic organization in the world.

Calvin Johnson and AP might look like they're possibly on LeBron's level, but remember. They look like that within their own ecosystem.

It's a fact that LeBron James is SIGNIFICANTLY bigger than Calvin Johnson. Calvin is 6'5 and in the 230's. LeBron is at least 6'8 in the 270's.

Even with LeBron being that much bigger, do you have any doubt in the world that LeBron is also faster, stronger, jumps higher? Any doubt at all?

Remember. In the NFL it's unheard of that Seattle's corners are 6'3 and still great athletes at that size. Would anyone give two shits if a 6'3 NBA player is athletic? And it's not even like those corners are a couple of Derrick Rose or Russell Westbrook level athletes either.

What separates NFL players is the toughness and pain thresholds. They're not the level of athletes that you see in the NBA though.
At 6'5 235, Calvin ran a 4.3 40, not sure if lebron can beat that. Didn't he run a 4.6?

[SpecialQue]

Lebron James is a basketball player.

[RoboticWang]

Lebron James is a basketball player.
A pretty good one from what I've heard.