Would lebron have ever made the Finals if he played out West?

[masonanddixon]

Probably never. He would've been a Tmac level guy in the West.

[Gileraracer]

no chance. he'd be a clean 0/0

[IllegalD]

Even though he's a bigot, I agree with OP. A+ thread. :cheers:

[Sarcastic]

Of course he would. He'd have a Western team. He wouldn't have the Cavs in the West.

[bigkingsfan]

He'd be GOAT considering 0/0 is better than 2/6

[FreezingTsmoove]

His 5 career wins out of 16 tries against the Playoff Spurs tells me no he wouldnt

[Sarcastic]

His 5 career wins out of 16 tries against the Playoff Spurs tells me no he wouldnt

And if he's on the Spurs, does he will then?

[Mr. Jabbar]

lol, no

[Nilocon165]

lol, no
This.

Short and straight to the point

[Random_Guy]

yes and kobe would not have made a final after 2004

[LBJFTW]

No. Obviously if he felt he could, he would have joined a team in the west. So many greats have made decisions in their career to prove a point.

Jordan 3-peated, left, then came back and 3-peated again.
Kobe had Shaq leave the team, just to prove he could win.

What the fvck did lebron ever do? Show that he can join 2 other players that were top FOUR in PER at the time he joined them just to win only 2 rings?

He had a chance to prove the critics wrong and in typical lebron fashion, he instead went to the Cavs that won three #1 picks and two 4th picks in just a 4 year time span, resulting in them being the most expensive team in the league after trades and he STILL can't win. :lol The guy is a joke. Literally anyone else in this history in the league that had his genetics and skill wouldn't have wasted their career the way he has due to shitty decisions and beta mentality. That much advantage and you only come away with 2 rings? That's pretty bad. Can you imagine Kobe or MJ's mind in Lebron's body? They'd have what, 8 rings each?

[Prometheus]

You are dumb.

[Wally450]

Replace Dirk with LeBron and the Mavs probably make the Finals every year.

[kurple]

Of course he would. He'd have a Western team. He wouldn't have the Cavs in the West.
why`? would LeGM suddenly get a braintransplant if he had played out west

[LBJFTW]

why`? would LeGM suddenly get a braintransplant if he had played out west

No but at least he would expose himself even more so in that the only reason why he managed to make it to 7 finals was due to being on the very best team in his weak conference.

[Psileas]

Of course he would. He'd have a Western team. He wouldn't have the Cavs in the West.

:applause:

Plus, he did beat the best Western team twice, including a 4-1 victory right? So, not only is there a chance he might do it again, even with the Heat, he might even be 2/2 in the Finals (:eek: ), which is better than 2/7 per ISH "logic".

[Dragonyeuw]

The obvious answer is it depends on which team he's playing for. The Spurs and Warriors are two obstacles he'd have to overcome the last 4 years. Prior, OKC, Mavs, Lakers.

[choppermagic]

Just to try and give this scenario more detail for evaluation, if I look at the NBA draft order from that year, the Denver Nuggets was the first Western Conference team picking. So instead of picking Carmelo, they pick James.

Does James make the Finals in any of the Denver Nuggets years?

I say possibly 1.

[Dragonyeuw]

Just to try and give this scenario more detail for evaluation, if I look at the NBA draft order from that year, the Denver Nuggets was the first Western Conference team picking. So instead of picking Carmelo, they pick James.

Does James make the Finals in any of the Denver Nuggets years?

I say possibly 1.

Which year though? Is the team around him the same? Does he decide, after being eliminated for 4-5 years up to, say, 2010, to leave? Too many variables to consider...

[TheMarkMadsen]

Yes in 2012, not sure about 13.

[NBAGOAT]

if you just took that Miami team and switched them with a random team out West he would be 2/2. I don't see any team in 12 or 13 that could beat the heat. Obviously wouldn't make the Finals the other years since the best team was in the West. If you just put him on a random west team, completely depends on who's around him.

[Goldrush25]

Probably never. He would've been a Tmac level guy in the West.


So T-Mac in the West conference, second best player ever in the East?:oldlol:

You wouldn't be dropping the Cavs into the West, you're putting Lebron on a pretty good Western team. You put Lebron on the Spurs and watch what happens.

I think it's logical that he gets to half as many finals (say 3) but he wins every time, so he probably has 3 titles instead of 2.

[Wade's Rings]

Using his Miami teams and that stretch of time he makes the Finals in 2011, 2012, and 2014. I'm not sure about his 1st 7 years because that depends on the teams he's on unless we're using the exact same Cavalier teams he was on.

[Dragonyeuw]

Using his Miami teams and that stretch of time he makes the Finals in 2011, 2012, and 2014.

The Heat lost to the Mavs in 2011 and the Spurs in 2014. if you transplant the Heat to the west that means they lose in the west playoffs against those teams as opposed to the finals, assuming of course that those matchups occur. Bear in mind that in 2011 alone, it took them several weeks before they found some kind of formula to correct course and finish with a high seed in the east. They wouldn't have that luxury in the western conference that year.

[TheMarkMadsen]

So T-Mac in the West conference, second best player ever in the East?:oldlol:

You wouldn't be dropping the Cavs into the West, you're putting Lebron on a pretty good Western team. You put Lebron on the Spurs and watch what happens.

I think it's logical that he gets to half as many finals (say 3) but he wins every time, so he probably has 3 titles instead of 2.


Oh wow if you put Lebron on a team that already won three championships without him since he's been in the league and you think he'd have three titles??

Wow bow down to his greatness

:lol :wtf:

[choppermagic]

Which year though? Is the team around him the same? Does he decide, after being eliminated for 4-5 years up to, say, 2010, to leave? Too many variables to consider...

Yeah, I know - tough question to answer. Just trying to take a shot at answering the OP. I figure it presumes he stays in the West, so i assume he stays with Denver throughout and not collude in the West.

[Lebron23]

If he played out West, He's going to have much better teams.

[Wade's Rings]

The Heat lost to the Mavs in 2011 and the Spurs in 2014. if you transplant the Heat to the west that means they lose in the west playoffs against those teams as opposed to the finals, assuming of course that those matchups occur. Bear in mind that in 2011 alone, it took them several weeks before they found some kind of formula to correct course and finish with a high seed in the east. They wouldn't have that luxury in the western conference that year.

The Heat lost in 2011 because Lebron choked in the Finals. If they were out west he doesn't choke vs Dallas in the Conference Finals and Miami beats them. He then chokes vs Boston in the 2011 Finals. In 2011 the Heat started off 9-8 but were on a 62 win pace after that, even if we adjust for them playing out west they still finish with 58 wins. Plus the East wasn't weak in 2011, the Bulls won 62 games (best in the league), Celtics won 56, and the Magic won 52 games.

In 2014 adjusting for the West the Heat were still on a 58 win pace and they played well through the 1st 3 rounds of the playoffs. They gave out in the Finals. Maybe it is a stretch to say they would have made the Finals because the West was extremely strong that year.

[Dragonyeuw]

The Heat lost in 2011 because Lebron choked in the Finals. If they were out west he doesn't choke vs Dallas in the Conference Finals and Miami beats them.

How do you figure this? What difference does it make Miami playing Dallas in the west playoffs, versus the finals, in terms of Lebron's performance?

[Goldrush25]

Oh wow if you put Lebron on a team that already won three championships without him since he's been in the league and you think he'd have three titles??

Wow bow down to his greatness

:lol :wtf:

So if we've already decided that you wouldn't respect him no matter what conference he was in, then what's the point of this thread?:oldlol:

[LBJFTW]

Put him in the west without collusion and his team would be:

Eric Bledsoe
Brandon Knight
Lebron James
Mirza Teletovic
Tyson Chandler

0 finals appearances.

The only way this guy makes the finals is if he's on the best team with the best record in the weak eastern conference. The only exception was 07 and even then, the pistons only had won 3 more games.

[Wade's Rings]

How do you figure this? What difference does it make Miami playing Dallas in the west playoffs, versus the finals, in terms of Lebron's performance?

He choked because the stage was too big and the lights were too bright. He was great through the 1st 3 rounds against better defenses and just collapsed in the Finals.

[WolfGang]

It depends on where he goes. San Antonio, Dallas, Los Angeles or OKC. It would be too easy if he was in the West with a solid team.

Hell, try to imagine Lebron, Kd and Goatbrook on the same team. Or Lebron, Harden and Howard.

[jstern]

He's the best player in the league, and would probably have a better team if he played in the West, for some reason. So the combination means that he would.

[Dragonyeuw]

He choked because the stage was too big and the lights were too bright. He was great through the 1st 3 rounds against better defenses and just collapsed in the Finals.

So taking that further, if the Heat in 2011 are in the west and (hypothetically) beat the Mavs prior to the finals, let's assume that the Bulls come out of the east. What happens then?

[West-Side]

yes and kobe would not have made a final after 2004

Ah yes, that's why Kobe beat a Magic team in 5 games that LeBron couldn't in 7 games in 2009. :rolleyes:

Funny how LeBron sniffed 0 final appearances during a time where the east had a few great teams (Boston, Orlando). 08', 09', 10'. Both of those teams made the finals. Then LeBron colluded with Wade & Bosh and boosted his final appearances, yet still is a pathetic 2/5 during that span playing on stacked teams.

Kobe won 2/3 with Pau & Odom, in a conference filled with 50+ win teams.

[kentatm]

Probably never. He would've been a Tmac level guy in the West.

All depends on what organization he is in.

Obviously it's not as easy as just adding LeBron to whatever roster from whatever year but there are certain organizations that I think would be able to pull it off.

I'd say he'd make it playing for the Lakers, Spurs, and Mavs for sure. Seattle/OKC would have a great chance too.

[NBAGOAT]

Ah yes, that's why Kobe beat a Magic team in 5 games that LeBron couldn't in 7 games in 2009. :rolleyes:

Funny how LeBron sniffed 0 final appearances during a time where the east had a few great teams (Boston, Orlando). 08', 09', 10'. Both of those teams made the finals. Then LeBron colluded with Wade & Bosh and boosted his final appearances, yet still is a pathetic 2/5 during that span playing on stacked teams.

Kobe won 2/3 with Pau & Odom, in a conference filled with 50+ win teams.

or Lebron didn't make the Finals because his 2nd and 3rd option were mo williams and delonte west who played worse in the playoffs(09). Worst supporting cast for a star player we've ever seen on a 60+ win team, only a couple other teams even compare. Stacked is relative, kobe/pau/odom isn't really that stacked on paper but there were no teams in the West those years that were more talented. I mean I have a hard time naming 3 big men in the West better than Pau those years.

[Sarcastic]

Let's say you put him on Phoenix with Nash and Amar'e; they are not only making the Finals, they are winning. He doesn't just have to be San Antonio or Dallas to do it.

Now if you put him on Denver or Sacramento, then no. Those organizations will never go anywhere.

[ShawkFactory]

Put him in the west without collusion and his team would be:

Eric Bledsoe
Brandon Knight
Lebron James
Mirza Teletovic
Tyson Chandler

0 finals appearances.

The only way this guy makes the finals is if he's on the best team with the best record in the weak eastern conference. The only exception was 07 and even then, the pistons only had won 3 more games.
Who would make the finals in the west with that team?

[ShawkFactory]

Ah yes, that's why Kobe beat a Magic team in 5 games that LeBron couldn't in 7 games in 2009. :rolleyes:

Funny how LeBron sniffed 0 final appearances during a time where the east had a few great teams (Boston, Orlando). 08', 09', 10'. Both of those teams made the finals. Then LeBron colluded with Wade & Bosh and boosted his final appearances, yet still is a pathetic 2/5 during that span playing on stacked teams.

Kobe won 2/3 with Pau & Odom, in a conference filled with 50+ win teams.
Thing is, bron still had to go through those few great teams.

No, Pau and odom are not a world beating 2/3 punch. Although for their specific roles they were absolutely perfect.

It's silly to say Kobe beat a team in 5 that Lebron couldn't in 7 as if the scenarios were similar.

Literally...the 2/3 punch on the Cavs was Mo/delonte west.

As silly as the difference in 2/3 punches look, it's even sillier when discussing that magic team, who's strength was a big man.

When we discuss the coaching difference it gets even sillier still. Brown got fired from the lakers 3 years later.

[Smoke117]

Depends...is he going to force his way to a premier franchise like Kobe did?

[pauk]

If he had the exact rosters?

Well, he would definitely be winning his 2 the same way (except the Finals matchup would happen in WCF), he would be 2/2....

Which... apparently... is better than 2/7 for some reason....

Hence... we as Lebron haters (99% Kobe stans) will inevitably make up new reasons to try boost Kobe above, like him having only 2 Finals appearances.... all of the sudden losing earlier than Finals is NOT more prestigious.... funny how it works...

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Arguably the same results, but I'm still not sure dude gets to the finals in 2013.

Spurs should have closed the deal, and as that series progressed, so did injuries and fatigue eg. Manu and Parker. Miami was incredibly fortunate the basketball gods had their backs that year.

[boojitede]

Ah yes, that's why Kobe beat a Magic team in 5 games that LeBron couldn't in 7 games in 2009. :rolleyes:

Funny how LeBron sniffed 0 final appearances during a time where the east had a few great teams (Boston, Orlando). 08', 09', 10'. Both of those teams made the finals. Then LeBron colluded with Wade & Bosh and boosted his final appearances, yet still is a pathetic 2/5 during that span playing on stacked teams.

Kobe won 2/3 with Pau & Odom, in a conference filled with 50+ win teams.
as you mentioned kobe needed (as always) an all-star big to win. plus a hall of fame coach. (while bron had mike brown)

and let's be honest those 09-10 lakers teams were weak. had KG not gotten injured boston wins in 09. and if perkins doesn't get injured they win in 2010 and 3peat.

that laker team needed 7 games vs a tmac, yao, and mutumbo-less Rockets :oldlol:

they were a gasol putback from going 7 with an 8th seed thunder

[aj1987]

Arguably the same results, but I'm still not sure dude gets to the finals in 2013.

Spurs should have closed the deal, and as that series progressed, so did injuries and fatigue eg. Manu and Parker. Miami was incredibly fortunate the basketball gods had their backs that year.
You mean the Spurs? Don't you remember the 3's?

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

You mean the Spurs? Don't you remember the 3's?

No. I meant the Heat.

Jesus himself appeared in Game 6 :eek:

[aj1987]

No. I meant the Heat.

Jesus himself appeared in Game 6 :eek:
Come on, dude. That's a shot that Allen makes in his sleep. Green and Neal going Curry mode in the first couple of games was an anomaly.

[Wade's Rings]

So taking that further, if the Heat in 2011 are in the west and (hypothetically) beat the Mavs prior to the finals, let's assume that the Bulls come out of the east. What happens then?

It's tough if the Bulls would've made it out. Lebron's defense would've been horrible but we could've put Wade on Rose and he'd do a great job. However, Wade struggled against the Bulls offensively that postseason, who knows if he steps it up more with Bron struggling but if he struggles too there's no way we win. Biggest difference was that Wade played better in the 4th quarters and he played D, while Bron didn't do this in the Finals.

[warriorfan]

To make a long story short, no