Mark Jackson: "LeBron is the greatest Small-Forward whose ever played the game"

[LongLiveTheKing]

Respect :applause:

[juju151111]

I agree

[KyleKong]

Water is wet.

[Thunderfan86]

**** Lebron James *****!!!


......and **** Mark Jackson too!!!

[navy]

Larry Bird fans salty as hell right now. If Lebron three peats he will surpass Larry Legend. Regardless of how his career ends up. However, we cant just put Lebron up there while he is still playing.

[finchyyy]

Bird is still the greatest forward to ever play though.

[VIntageNOvel]

notice how he add "small forward" :lol

[JohnFreeman]

Damn.

[moe94]

He also said Kobe Bryant would be the GOAT. Can't trust him but he's right this time. We'll take his word this time but that shit about Kobe is nuts. Larry doesn't count. He transcends ball so the comment is true. That shit about Kobe is just stupid. He's right about LeBron, though. That shit about Kobe is nuts. I hate Kobe.

[DuMa]

Mark Jackson also called Kobe better than Jordan. Lets be fair, hes an idiot

[NumberSix]

Water is water.

[RoseCity07]

He's the greatest human being of all-time, why narrow it down. That's a backhanded compliment.

[ArbitraryWater]

Just spittin' truth :applause:

[TylerOO]

He's the greatest human being of all-time, why narrow it down. That's a backhanded compliment.

:roll: :roll: :roll:

Love this dude

[moe94]

He's the greatest human being of all-time, why narrow it down. That's a backhanded compliment.

GOAT comment

[jlip]

It's debatable. A case can be made for him or Bird.

[kurt_rambis]

last year mark jackson said cedric ceballos was the greatest small-forward of all time, so his opinion isn't exactly consistient

[DonDadda59]

Mark Jackson also called Kobe better than Jordan. Lets be fair, hes an idiot

Came here to post this. Guy lives off of hyperbole ala Magic. Just spew whatever comes to mind without thinking it through. Not saying Bron isn't or can't be, just pointing out the source.

Doesn't really mean anything coming from Jackson.

[inclinerator]

#humanitarian
#father
#brother
#teammate
#husband
#goat bball player

[CavaliersFTW]

Wow prisoner of the moment :roll:

[chazzy]

I have Bird higher all time right now, but you can't go wrong with either one prime for prime

[AintNoSunshine]

notice how he add "small forward" :lol

And that's funny because?

[Illuminati]

Water is blue.

[Smook A.]

In 2007 he said Kobe is the G.O.A.T

[fragokota]

Water is blue.

colorless actually

[Magic 32]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVWFIGhD980

[DMV2]

I have Bird higher all time right now, but you can't go wrong with either one prime for prime
Bird is part of the Big Six: MJ, KAJ, Wilt, Russell, Magic, Bird.

If LeBron is arguably the best SF over Bird or on the same level as Bird, it means he's already Top 7 All-Time already.

[JohnFreeman]

Bird is part of the Big Six: MJ, KAJ, Wilt, Russell, Magic, Bird.

If LeBron is arguably the best SF over Bird or on the same level as Bird, it means he's already Top 7 All-Time already.
I would put LeBron behind Duncan still...I think

[DMV2]

I would put LeBron behind Duncan still...I think
I got Shaq at 7, Timmy at 8 and Bron at 9

I just value Shaq's peak a little more. People tend to forget his years in Orlando too and forget that he had a great 13-year career(1993-2006)before nagging injuries came in.

I still like Duncan better as a player, though, but rankings aren't based on style.

[East_Stone_Ya]

so what he just a fanboy

[JohnFreeman]

I got Shaq at 7, Timmy at 8 and Bron at 9

I just value Shaq's peak a little more. People tend to forget his years in Orlando too and forget that he had a great 13-year career(1993-2006)before nagging injuries came in.

I still like Duncan better as a player, though, but rankings aren't based on style.
If LeBrons wins another chip, he is ahead of Timmy

[DMV2]

If LeBrons wins another chip, he is ahead of Timmy
For sure! A 3-peat, I would put him in Top 4 easily. After a 3-peat, all he has to do is rake up numbers on the All-Time lists. The 25,000 Club, the 10,000 Club, 5,000 Club, ect...

2014 Finals is monumental for LeBron.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Not a fan, but If Lebron continues to play the way he did last night? Nobody besides maybe MJ is better. That step-back 3 was f*cking cold...

[Uncle Drew]

Water is blue.
:oldlol: :facepalm

[SexSymbol]

If we're excluding Bird and putting him at PF then LeBron is 1b to Erving.
If not, he's third.

[TheMan]

It's debatable. A case can be made for him or Bird.
This

[dannywpt]

Why do people care what that bigot thinks? :confusedshrug:

[BlackVVaves]

Bird is part of the Big Six: MJ, KAJ, Wilt, Russell, Magic, Bird.

If LeBron is arguably the best SF over Bird or on the same level as Bird, it means he's already Top 7 All-Time already.

Not true. LeBron could be the better individual player, while still having an inferior career momentarily.

Duncan, Shaq, Magic, Kareem, Jordan, Russell, and Bird have more stout legacies thusfar, and Kobe and Wilt are arguable.

As his book is still being written though, this is likely and expected to change.

[SHAQisGOAT]

He also said that Reggie Miller's the 3rd greatest SG, that Jerry West wasn't a great shooter and something along the lines of Kobe being better than MJ.

If Lebron's the best SF than Bird's the best forward (power forward).


Water is blue.

:roll: :facepalm

Way to make a point.

[ImKobe]

Mark Jackson: "Kobe Bryant, at the end of the day, will go down as the greatest basketball player that has ever lived."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDNBcRsB_-0

[JohnFreeman]

Mark Jackson: "Kobe Bryant, at the end of the day, will go down as the greatest basketball player that has ever lived."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDNBcRsB_-0
http://i.capsspot.com/s/3/6/98169.gif

[pauk]

That statement is not absurd whatsoever, that Bird vs Lebron debate can be made very safely..... take a very good look at Lebrons accolades & his individual bball ability, peak etc. and compare that to Larry Bird you will see they are actually extremly close, not close as in "Lebron is close" but close as in more like TIED type of close...

[Magic 32]

http://i.capsspot.com/s/3/6/98169.gif

No reason to hate.

Kobe Bryant will go down as the greatest BASEketball player that has ever lived.

[ImKobe]

That statement is not absurd whatsoever, that Bird vs Lebron debate can be made very safely..... take a very good look at Lebrons accolades & his individual bball ability, peak etc. and compare that to Larry Bird you will see they are actually extremly close, not close as in "Lebron is close" but close as in more like TIED type of close...

Bird has more titles and 1 less MVP and his career averages blow Lebron's numbers out of the water. 24 10 6 on much higher efficiency.

[moe94]

Bird has more titles and 1 less MVP and his career averages blow Lebron's numbers out of the water. 24 10 6 on much higher efficiency.

What is context?

[pegasus]

It's Bird. But it doesn't matter, Durant will surpass both of them.

[Pushxx]

To expand on what SHAQisGOAT said, these words came out of Mark Jackson's mouth:

"Both of those guys (Jerry West and Gail Goodrich) were great players. Jerry West, obviously, all-time great. But neither one of those guys were great shooters."

Gotta take what he says with a grain of salt.

[JohnFreeman]

No reason to hate.

Kobe Bryant will go down as the greatest BASEketball player that has ever lived.

The gif was implied for Mark Jackson. Every time he opens his mouth it's either about god or someone is GOAT.

[SacJB Shady]

Jackson has been right about 4 out of 5 things.

Been right about
1. Kobe will go down as the GOAT
2. LBJ is the GOAT SF
3. Curry is an elite defender
4. Nuggets tried to trip up Curry

Been wrong
1. 2010-11 guaranteed GSW would make the playoffs, but it was his first year

[DMAVS41]

Total toss-up between Bird and Lebron right now.

But Lebron will pass him in the all-time rankings barring and injury. Peak vs Peak is so close...and Lebron is looking like he's going to have far great longevity.

And people tend to ignore that Bird was hardly perfect in the playoffs himself as the favorite many times as well.

[Magic 32]

Total toss-up between Bird and Lebron right now.

But Lebron will pass him in the all-time rankings barring and injury. Peak vs Peak is so close...and Lebron is looking like he's going to have far great longevity.

And people tend to ignore that Bird was hardly perfect in the playoffs himself as the favorite many times as well.

True.

Losing with home court advantage

Bird = 7 (1980, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1991)

Duncan = 6 (2001, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012)

Kareem = 5 (1973, 1974, 1977, 1981, 1986)

Shaq = 5 (1994, 1995, 2004, 2005, 2010)

Wilt = 5 (1961, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1973)

Oscar = 4 (1962, 1965, 1973, 1974)

Magic = 4 (1981, 1986, 1990, 1996)

Lebron = 3 (2009, 2010, 2011)

Hakeem = 2 (1985, 1987)

Kobe = 2 (2004, 2011)

Russell = 1 (1958)

MJ = 0

But Bird at his peak was :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[chocolatethunder]

Who's

[SHAQisGOAT]

True.

Losing with home court advantage

Bird = 7 (1980, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1991)



In 1980, as a rookie, he just turned the Celtics around from 2nd worst record to best and the ECF, with basically the same roster.

In 1982 he was injured, didn't even play one game in the playoffs, and you know with Bird that had to be serious.

He had an injured elbow and an injured right hand in the 1985 Finals.

In 1988 the Celtics were riddled with injuries, old players and no bench. Bird was breaking down, had to get back and heels surgery after it.

After 1988 he was never the same.

But let's act like he wasn't the main reason for that home-court advantage or that it means nothing.

[juju151111]

Bird has more titles and 1 less MVP and his career averages blow Lebron's numbers out of the water. 24 10 6 on much higher efficiency.
Playoffs play goes into it too and they have the same amount of finals MVP.

[Uncle Drew]

To expand on what SHAQisGOAT said, these words came out of Mark Jackson's mouth:

"Both of those guys (Jerry West and Gail Goodrich) were great players. Jerry West, obviously, all-time great. But neither one of those guys were great shooters."

Gotta take what he says with a grain of salt.
No way he said that.

[DMAVS41]

In 1980, as a rookie, he just turned the Celtics around from 2nd worst record to best and the ECF, with basically the same roster.

In 1982 he was injured, didn't even play one game in the playoffs, and you know with Bird that had to be serious.

He had a injured elbow and a injured right hand in the 1985 Finals.

In 1988 the Celtics were riddled with injuries, old players and no bench. Bird was breaking down, had to get back and heels surgery after it.

After 1988 he was never the same.

But let's act like he wasn't the main reason for that home-court advantage or that it means nothing.


I don't think anyone disputes stuff like this, but it is what it is. All players have reasons or excuses and all superstars are the main reason their teams are great.

This game could be played with everyone.

The point is that the Bird side really doesn't have "playoff performances" to hold over Lebron at this point...especially after the last two years.

So they have a similar peak and similar playoff play...and Lebron is looking to have greater longevity.

Unless Lebron falls apart soon....in 5 years he'll just have a resume that is too great to rank behind Bird.

[TMT]

If Larry had Lebron's unearthly health then we wouldn't even be talking about this for another 3-4 years.

[JohnFreeman]

If Larry had Lebron's unearthly health then we wouldn't even be talking about this for another 3-4 years.
But he didn't..

[DMAVS41]

Bird has more titles and 1 less MVP and his career averages blow Lebron's numbers out of the water. 24 10 6 on much higher efficiency.

This is just false

Bird is at 24/10/7 55% TS in the playoffs

Lebron is at 28/9/7 57% TS in the playoffs

WTF are you smoking?

[TMT]

But he didn't..

What I'm saying is Larry's career was cut short. Lebron's opened early because he came out of high school. Different eras and injuries are the only reason this comparison is up for discussion right now.

[JohnFreeman]

This is just false

Bird is at 24/10/7 55% TS in the playoffs

Lebron is at 28/9/7 57% TS in the playoffs

WTF are you smoking?

DMAVS41 dropping truth bombs

[DMAVS41]

What I'm saying is Larry's career was cut short. Lebron's opened early because he came out of high school. Different eras and injuries are the only reason this comparison is up for discussion right now.

I don't really think so...Lebron's peak play put his in the Bird tier all time.

So we might not be talking about career vs career yet, but peak/prime vs peak/prime would be talked about all the time...especially as they play the same position.

Lebron will never surpass Bird in terms of for sure being a better player at his best than Bird imo, but who really can? Bird at his peak might only be worse than MJ...certainly debatable with just about everyone but MJ

Lebron is getting to that level...if he's not already there in terms of peak play.

So yes...they'd be compared even if Bird had the exact same numbers and played 3 extra healthy prime years

[Illuminati]

If LeBron isn't in your top six(arguably five) if they 3-peat and he wins another MVP, you're a hater, plain and simple.

[juju151111]

This is just false

Bird is at 24/10/7 55% TS in the playoffs

Lebron is at 28/9/7 57% TS in the playoffs

WTF are you smoking?
Ether:applause:

[SpecialQue]

No he's not.

[Illuminati]

This is just false

Bird is at 24/10/7 55% TS in the playoffs

Lebron is at 28/9/7 57% TS in the playoffs

WTF are you smoking?

LOL.

[SHAQisGOAT]

I don't think anyone disputes stuff like this, but it is what it is. All players have reasons or excuses and all superstars are the main reason their teams are great.

This game could be played with everyone.

The point is that the Bird side really doesn't have "playoff performances" to hold over Lebron at this point...especially after the last two years.

So they have a similar peak and similar playoff play...and Lebron is looking to have greater longevity.

Unless Lebron falls apart soon....in 5 years he'll just have a resume that is too great to rank behind Bird.

Say what you want, but look at the dramatic improvement when he joined and how considerable worse they were when he was out (not even at his absolute best). Now show me the same with other superstars.

Yes he does. In the 1984 post-season, led the Celtics in points, rebounds, assists, steals, FG% and FT%, 3rd in blocks and 3P% with more 3's taken (think about how crazy that is).. Teammates underperforming and he was carrying them, destroying teams along the way, killed the best defense (Bucks), outperforming and outscoring peak Bernard King (one of the very best scorers ever), doing the same as previous said in the Finals, reason why they won against the stacked showtime Lakers, a team definitely better on paper. Underrated post-season, af.

Look at what he did, at his best, with great teammates around, what was expected and more (same can't be said for prime Lebron).. Led one of the GOAT teams, if not the greatest, completely wrecking the league on their way to a championship, losing only once at home, he averaged a triple-double in the Finals (who else did that?) in control of everything, peak Bird was like Neo in the Matrix, dude couldn't be ****ed with.

Furthermore, with a relatively short career - due to injuries and "only" entering the league at 22 - he's still the only player in the top10 in 4 of the 5 statistical categories, in the playoffs (points, rebounds, assists and steals).

Oh, and he didn't join two established top10 players in the league (one top5), nor did he play under soft-ass rules with tremendous superstar treatment, being babied by the league, plus he played in a much better conference, faced better teams in the playoffs and had more superstar competition at the top level.

And although close, Bird had a better peak.

[Solefade]

This is just false

Bird is at 24/10/7 55% TS in the playoffs

Lebron is at 28/9/7 57% TS in the playoffs

WTF are you smoking?


ImKobe is the biggest kobetard on this forum

[DMV2]

If LeBron isn't in your top six(arguably five) if they 3-peat and he wins another MVP, you're a hater, plain and simple.
3-peat + F-MVP = Top 4, easily.

[DMAVS41]

Say what you want, but look at the dramatic improvement when he joined and how considerable worse they were when he was out (not even at his absolute best). Now show me the same with other superstars.

Yes he does. In the 1984 post-season, led the Celtics in points, rebounds, assists, steals, FG% and FT%, 3rd in blocks and 3P% with more 3's taken (think about how crazy that is).. Teammates underperforming and he was carrying them, destroying teams along the way, killed the best defense (Bucks), outperforming and outscoring peak Bernard King (one of the very best scorers ever), doing the same as previous said in the Finals, reason why they won against the stacked showtime Lakers, a team definitely better on paper. Underrated post-season, af.

Look at what he did, at his best, with great teammates around, what was expected and more (same can't be said for prime Lebron).. Led one of the GOAT teams, if not the greatest, completely wrecking the league on their way to a championship, losing only once at home, he averaged a triple-double in the Finals (who else did that?) in control of everything, peak Bird was like Neo in the Matrix, dude couldn't be ****ed with.

Furthermore, with a relatively short career - due to injuries and "only" entering the league at 22 - he's still the only player in the top10 in 4 of the 5 statistical categories, in the playoffs (points, rebounds, assists and steals).

Oh, and he didn't join two established top10 players in the league (one top5), nor did he play under soft-ass rules with tremendous superstar treatment, being babied by the league, plus he played in a much better conference, faced better teams in the playoffs and had more superstar competition at the top level.

And although close, Bird had a better peak.

This is hard to follow. You act like I'm saying Bird wasn't amazing...I just said he has an argument (along with others) for 2nd best peak ever behind only MJ.

What other superstar transformed a team? Well, Lebron transformed the Cavs pretty quickly...and he came out of high school to do that and wasn't seasoned like Bird was.

Bird did not always do what was expected or more. The dude lost in the playoffs as the favorite a handful of times. See, this is my exact point...Bird fans can't simply use playoffs by any means at all over Lebron as Bird had his own fair share of disappointments.

The one true thing that Bird has over Lebron is that Bird never collapsed as badly as Lebron did in the 11 finals...so that is more than valid. But this overall/broad painting of Bird as always giving you what was expected or more is just false.

Not sure about the peak stuff either. Lebron did have a 30/10/6 58% TS playoff run and played defense at a level Bird wasn't capable of. I'm not sure I'd say Bird was ever better than that...in fact, I don't think he was better. Same level, debatable....all that stuff...yes, but better than that? No...

The joining up thing doesn't work here...Bird played on as stacked or perhaps even more stacked teams than Lebron has had. In the 3 years Lebron has played on the Heat before this season...only 2011 would you call Lebron playing with an ultra stacked team with Wade still damn near at his peak and Bosh playing great. Bosh was hurt in 12 and Wade clearly declined...and last year Wade/Bosh were jokes in the playoffs.

And no, Bosh isn't a top 10 player.

So that is a shit argument as Bird played with super loaded teams as well...and for longer...as honestly the Heat weren't as stacked as some of those Celtics anyway.

You can hate on Lebron for joining up, but don't act like that is a basketball argument. Bird played on ****ing loaded teams throughout his career.