How good is the case for peak Magic and Bird over peak Lebron?

[dankok8]

1986 Bird and 1987 Magic vs. whatever year was Lebron's peak. How good is the case for each of those two?

I ask because years ago people were very open to the idea that those guys peaked higher but these days I feel it's controversial to say that. The narrative has shifted a lot.

[SouBeachTalents]

The only guys imo you could argue peaked at LeBron's level would be Jordan, Kareem, Hakeem, Shaq & Wilt, and you could throw Jokic into the mix depending how you feel about his defense.

I just don't see the argument for Bird & esp Magic, LeBron was a better scorer and MUCH better defender at his peak than Magic was, and he consistently performed better in the playoffs than Bird did.

LeBron had at minimum a top 5 peak, while Magic & Bird would be around fringe top 10. Outside of the guys I mentioned you argue the likes of Curry, Giannis, Duncan etc. ahead of them as well.

[gengiskhan]

"show time" offense.

Celtics "dynasty" is good enough for me. Never "re-peated" and never "3-peated."

Reason 1. ran into LAL, team of the decade. 1-2 Finals record for Bird is because of Magic's LAL.
Reason 2. ran into Pistons, almost "dynastic " there. 3 straight NBA Finals appearances. Re-Peated.
Reason 3. toughest of the tough East Conf. Early 80s Philly with Moses-Dr J-Cheeks. Later Sr. Charles drafted.

LBJ was given a chance with 2 franchises. HEAT and CAVs. Barely re-peated. failed miserably at "dynasty". despite "colluded Super-teams"

He could not turn them into dynasty. in the easiest era of them all. wide open eastern conference.

LBJ Is barely barely Top 10. Magic is like Top 5 GOATs. Bird is there too.

LBJ has ZERO case for Top 5. No 10th spot. maybe. all that longevity. 4 MVPs argument. other than that. none.

too much collusion with direct competition. too much choke job. too much beta mentality. also, steriod usage.

[RRR3]

[8Ball]

I'll take a dozen non peak LeBron years over Bird and Magic peak.

Bron is just a better NBA player than either of them.

[gengiskhan]

I'll take a dozen non peak LeBron years over Bird and Magic peak.

Bron is just a better NBA player than either of them.

effing guy takes 3 full secs for his senses to register that "wow. I have a ball now...what do I do with it?" before making his first move.

ugliest game, ugliest moves, always offensive fouling with his elbow. No real back-to-the-basket post up game.

If Magic and Bird were ever given today's open lanes, no hand checking, zero defense, full on run-and-gun offense, empty paint areas,

Bird is easy 40-15-12 guy. night after night. easy. His decision making, highest Bball IQ, smooth stroke.

Bird was straight up killa. A better version of Magic. Both leagues ahead of mentally slow LBJ.

[Lebron23]

LeBron is better than them

[8Ball]

effing guy takes 3 full secs for his senses to register that "wow. I have a ball now...what do I do with it?" before making his first move.

ugliest game, ugliest moves, always offensive fouling with his elbow. No real back-to-the-basket post up game.

If Magic and Bird were ever given today's open lanes, no hand checking, zero defense, full on run-and-gun offense, empty paint areas,

Bird is easy 40-15-12 guy. night after night. easy. His decision making, highest Bball IQ, smooth stroke.

Bird was straight up killa. A better version of Magic. Both leagues ahead of mentally slow LBJ.

Every single coach in the NBA thinks LeBron has high BBIQ and quick decision making yet you are here in the corner saying the opposite.

Either you are smarter than all the NBA coaches, or you are clueless.

[And1AllDay]

bran has like seven peaks

09 peak
12 peak
13 peak
16 peak
17 peak
18 peak
20 peak

his sick in the head top of the heap with kobe for goat

[SATAN]

1986 Bird and 1987 Magic vs. whatever year was Lebron's peak. How good is the case for each of those two?

I ask because I am an MJ stan trying to downplay LeBron while he's getting alot of positive attention again. Also, if you think LeBron is better than MJ at anything I disregard your votes on my polls.

I didn't start watching basketball until 1996 btw.

ftfy

[jstern]

ftfy

Why did you start using my avatar?

[gengiskhan]

Why did you start using my avatar?

Because he is Satan, God's sworn enemy.

[NBAGOAT]

not strong, mainly just because of defense. yea bron can be lazy for whole seasons but prime bron is a monster defender

[Im Still Ballin]

If you have a very binary "offense + defense" mentality, it'd be hard to make an argument for either over LeBron. But basketball isn't a game of checking two boxes; offense and defense flow and influence each other dynamically. All three are unique players and have different strengths and weaknesses that can be valued differently depending on circumstance: roster construction (personnel, coaching, scheme) and era/period of time/rules and style of play.

There are many teams where Larry's superior isolation scoring and more reliable perimeter shooting would situationally be more valuable than what LeBron offers. And on certain teams, Magic's GOAT-level playmaking and pass-first mentality would prove more impactful than LeBron's stellar-but-not-quite as-good approach in the same aspects.

You can make an argument for all of them. And I won't argue against anyone's opinion. As long as they have a reasonable argument.

[Im Still Ballin]

But I guess if a guy is more portable and therefore more valuable in a wider set of circumstances, maybe that makes him "better?" I don't know. Many variables to consider...