Lebron from 2016-2018

[sdot_thadon]

The problem with Lebron in 2017 and especially 2018 is his inconsistent defense. He gave a lot of extra impact he produced on offense back on the defensive end. Not that I blame him because he carried a huge offensive load but it did come at a price. Overall I don't think his impact in 2018 surpassed that in say 2016. And the impact stats like RAPM, EPM, RAPTOR etc. agree. In fact, I'm pretty confident saying 2016 > 2018.

Yeah his defensive effort has been more or less picking his spots all seasons beyond 2016. He still has the elite ability but I beleive it was either an adjustment to keep his motor high on the other end as he aged, or a middle finger to not getting as recognized for his peak defensive ability as he wanted.

[Gudo]

Yeah his defensive effort has been more or less picking his spots all seasons beyond 2016. He still has the elite ability but I beleive it was either an adjustment to keep his motor high on the other end as he aged, or a middle finger to not getting as recognized for his peak defensive ability as he wanted.

So, tantrum because he did not get the recognition that he wanted? And this is supposed to be an good trait?

[StrongLurk]

Can't compare things that happened in an era with a shortened 3-point line. Sucks because MJ probably is the best player ever, but the NBA 94-99 was so comically weak on talent, team building, and shooting that it's just a clearly inferior era. There is no way to directly know what 96-98 MJ would do in 2016-2018 .

Lebron is the GOAT of the modern era and that's really the only fact we have here. MJ was the GOAT in the previous era.

[tpols]

Can't compare things that happened in an era with a shortened 3-point line. Sucks because MJ probably is the best player ever, but the NBA 94-99 was so comically weak on talent, team building, and shooting that it's just a clearly inferior era. There is no way to directly know what 96-98 MJ would do in 2016-2018 .

Lebron is the GOAT of the modern era and that's really the only fact we have here. MJ was the GOAT in the previous era.

1996 to 1998 was a very competitive era. 1994 took a dive only because MJ retired pretty much. 1999 as well.

The superstar talent from '96 - '98 was super elite. Just looking at the All NBA teams you had prime:

MJ
Hakeem
Robinson
Barkley
Malone
Stockton
Reggie
Clyde
Penny
Payton
Kemp
Ewing
Zo
Grant Hill
Mutumbo

etc.

The only difference was the role players couldn't shoot 3s which cratered their efficiency compared to today's role player 3pt spam, and provided less spacing.

Teams today are better but stars really... aren't.

[SouBeachTalents]

1996 to 1998 was a very competitive era. 1994 took a dive only because MJ retired pretty much. 1999 as well.

The superstar talent from '96 - '98 was super elite. Just looking at the All NBA teams you had prime:

MJ
Hakeem
Robinson
Barkley
Malone
Stockton
Reggie
Clyde
Penny
Payton
Kemp
Ewing
Zo
Grant Hill
Mutumbo

etc.

The only difference was the role players couldn't shoot 3s which cratered their efficiency compared to today's role player 3pt spam, and provided less spacing.

Teams today are better but stars really... aren't.

So many of those guys were at the very tail end of their primes by the late 90's or completely out of it by '98

Hakeem, Robinson, Barkley, Clyde, Ewing were all unquestionably on the downslope of their careers by then. The late 90's honestly was a very weak era, we don't have to pretend otherwise because it involved Jordan

[Phoenix]

1996 to 1998 was a very competitive era. 1994 took a dive only because MJ retired pretty much. 1999 as well.

The superstar talent from '96 - '98 was super elite. Just looking at the All NBA teams you had prime:

MJ
Hakeem
Robinson
Barkley
Malone
Stockton
Reggie
Clyde
Penny
Payton
Kemp
Ewing
Zo
Grant Hill
Mutumbo

etc.

Prime? The bolded were like 33-35 during this period. 96-98 was a cross period where the 80's/90s stars were aging and guys like Garnett/Shaq/Hill/Penny/Duncan were still on the up.

[sdot_thadon]

So, tantrum because he did not get the recognition that he wanted? And this is supposed to be an good trait?

I wouldn't say tantrum, but i do remember him. Campaigning a bit and giving extra effort on the defensive end some years. Not really much different than MJs triple doubles streak because he wanted to be seen as a player that could do what Magic could do.... These guys have motivations inside the games too, but i could also see all that extra effort being tough on a player once were reaching beyond season 15. I mean ask yourself self this, what player have we ever expected high level defense from or criticized defensively past year 15......ever? I'll wait.

[ShawkFactory]

Prime? The bolded were like 33-35 during this period. 96-98 was a cross period where the 80's/90s stars were aging and guys like Garnett/Shaq/Hill/Penny/Duncan were still on the up.

Yea 96-98 wasn’t it. The peak of the league was 85-95

[Phoenix]

Yea 96-98 wasn’t it. The peak of the league was 85-95

At the very least it was the peak for the players TPols is calling 'prime'. And earlier I didn't even mention the Canadian expansion teams. So yeah, in retrospect not a strong period for the league.

[1987_Lakers]

Yea 96-98 wasn’t it. The peak of the league was 85-95

Have to include '84 just because of the Lakers-Celtics Finals that year. To me it's '84-'93. The 2008-2016 era was pretty fun too. KD ruined it by joining the Warriors, would have had seen at least one more competitive Warriors-Cavs Finals.

On second thought I would extend it to 2018 just because of LeBron's postseason performance that year.