Michael Jordan on the 2003-2010 Cavs - how far do they get?

[Paul George 24]

1) They wouldn't have collapsed because they wouldn't even be in the games. Jordan never put up great stats against 1st ranked defenses while LeBron had the best series of all time against Orlando and it was worth just 2 games for the Cavs. It's not like Jordan could put up better stats or shutdown either Dwight or an entire all time great shooting perimeter by himself.

2) Boston would just **** him over defensively. Pistons managed to do that several times with just 'roughness'. Now add an actually quality, intelligent defense to that roughness and you will be left with a crying, quivering mess of Jordan he has always been without a stacked team around him. Before making his Decision he would spend few days in Stern's office whining for rule changes and outlawing of zone.

are u kidding me ? Jordan never put up great stats against 1st ranked defenses

[ImKobe]

1) They wouldn't have collapsed because they wouldn't even be in the games. Jordan never put up great stats against 1st ranked defenses while LeBron had the best series of all time against Orlando and it was worth just 2 games for the Cavs. It's not like Jordan could put up better stats or shutdown either Dwight or an entire all time great shooting perimeter by himself.

2) Boston would just **** him over defensively. Pistons managed to do that several times with just 'roughness'. Now add an actually quality, intelligent defense to that roughness and you will be left with a crying, quivering mess of Jordan he has always been without a stacked team around him. Before making his Decision he would spend few days in Stern's office whining for rule changes and outlawing of zone.

If Kobe is putting up 32/5/7 against Orlando...what the hell do you think MJ would have done? Oh, I guess you think Kobe is a better player than MJ

[Trollsmasher]

If Kobe is putting up 32/5/7 against Orlando...what the hell do you think MJ would have done? Oh, I guess you think Kobe is a better player than MJ

On 52% TS. LeBron put up 39/8/8 on 59% TS so MJ would fit nicely between the two while still losing the series in less than 6

[knicksman]

1) They wouldn't have collapsed because they wouldn't even be in the games. Jordan never put up great stats against 1st ranked defenses while LeBron had the best series of all time against Orlando and it was worth just 2 games for the Cavs. It's not like Jordan could put up better stats or shutdown either Dwight or an entire all time great shooting perimeter by himself.

2) Boston would just **** him over defensively. Pistons managed to do that several times with just 'roughness'. Now add an actually quality, intelligent defense to that roughness and you will be left with a crying, quivering mess of Jordan he has always been without a stacked team around him. Before making his Decision he would spend few days in Stern's office whining for rule changes and outlawing of zone.

Jordan never put up great stats? They must have changed math rules to make 2/5>>6/6

[2010splash]

Jordan never put up great stats? They must have changed math rules to make 2/5>>6/6

Yeah, but ask yourself who Jordan's competition in the Finals was. The Jazz, Suns and Sonics? Not really very good teams. The Spurs, Thunder, Mavs are better than them all... especially the Spurs and Thunder.

Jordan was great, but did he ever have a 37.4 PER in the playoffs? Cus LeBron did.

[JohnFreeman]

I don't see Jordan doing that much better to be honest

[knicksman]

Yeah, but ask yourself who Jordan's competition in the Finals was. The Jazz, Suns and Sonics? Not really very good teams. The Spurs, Thunder, Mavs are better than them all... especially the Spurs and Thunder.

Jordan was great, but did he ever have a 37.4 PER in the playoffs? Cus LeBron did.

spurs who were first round fodders since 2008? 6/6>>2/5

[SamuraiSWISH]

Since the "what if" game is in effect, if KG never goes down, the Celtics three peat.

No, we're just swaping MJ for LeBron straight up, context of everything else remains the same ... thought that was quite obvious.

Oh, and the Celtics didn't win in 2010. With KG. So how is it a 3-peat?

And if 2009 LeBron put up 39/8/8 ... I don't see why '90 MJ wouldn't put up similar all around numbers, because he did in '89 - '91, and Jordan would probably put up 5 more ppg given their career playoff averages differ 28 ppg to 34 ppg.

I think prime / peak MJ's combo of skill, all around game, mental toughness, and a clutch ability that LeBron @ the time clearly lacked would push them over the top.

Don't see him quitting mid series in a winnable confrontation with the 2010 Celtics either.

'90 MJ on the 2009 Cavs is very much a championship winning team given that season's context.

'91, arguably peak MJ, on the 2010 Cavs is very much a championship winning team given that season's context, and the fact he isn't a full on quitter.

Jordan replacing Lebron is not getting them past a healthy Celtics in 2009 or 2010. 2008? Probably since Ray was so swept up with his son in the hospital he gave the Celtics nothing till the ECF.

What does 2008 have to do with anything? If the Hawks, and young Cavs w/ pre prime LeBron were pushing the Celtics to 7 ... I don't see why '89 MJ on that team couldn't do the same.

As I said, MJ on those 2009, and 2010 Cavs is very much winnable against the Celtics or whoever in the West.

But no one said in the original post to alter the context of health for those Celtics teams. Injuries are apart of the sport. We're simply swapping out MJ for LeBron.

That's the point.