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Sports Daily: LeBron's Declaration

  01:22 PM - February 12, 2014 by RaychelSnr

Hey look everyone, it's LeBron James again. He can dunk and he can talk -- about himself even.

In an interview that will air on NBA TV this coming Monday, "King James" declared:

Quote:
"I'm going to be one of the top four that's ever played this game, for sure. And if they don't want me to have one of those top four spots, they'd better find another spot on that mountain. Somebody's gotta get bumped, but that's not for me to decide. That's for the architects."

While he may have a point should his career continue without any major hitches or drop-off in performance, many feel it's awkward to hear someone speak of their own legacy in such a way.

Sound Off: Do you have a problem with LeBron James declaring himself one of the four greatest players ever?

Sports Headlines for February 12, 2014

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Member Comments
# 61 ojandpizza @ 02/18/14 04:34 AM
Wanted to comment on leaving off Hakeem from my list.. I just felt that with all the great big men you had plenty of guys who were deserving talent wise, but I don't feel Hakeem had an impact on the league the way the 4 guys I listed + Wilt did.. Hakeem is a great talent and one of the best big men of all time but he didn't really leave a lasting mark on the leagues history in my personal opinion... I thought that would be the first guy people would question since he didn't even make my missed the cut list, so I figured I would explain beforehand.
 
# 62 Dice @ 02/18/14 01:19 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ojandpizza
Tonight my brother and his friends were talking about Kobe's comments on this topic, and one of them said it's "hard to make a Mount Rushmore of just 4 players, it should be 4 at each position." So we all kind of gave our input on the subject and I thought I would just share the list I came up with and if anyone wants to post theirs or comment on mine jump in.

My voting was a combination of both how good the player was, and also the impact they had on the league. I'll list some credentials out by some of the players, which will all just be based on my opinion.

Point Guard:
* Bob Cousy (first great true PG, pioneered "flashy" and showmanship)
* Oscar Robertson (mr. Triple double, first guard to dominate all areas of the game.)
* Magic Johnson (best all around PG of all time, one of a kind talent, showtime, Bird-Magic rivalry)
* John Stockton (best pure PG of all time, assist and steals leader)

Shooting Guard:
* Jerry West (one of the first combo guards, NBA logo, Mr. Clutch)
* George Gervin (one of the first great pure scoring wing men, first guard with 3 straight scoring titles, finger roll, NBA icon)
* Michael Jordan (greatest SG of all time, one of a kind talent)
* Kobe Bryant (one of the best SGs of all time, best guard in this era)

Small Forward:
*John Havlicek (the original 6th man, great all around player)
* Dr. J (biggest impact on the above the rim play, NBA icon)
* Larry Bird (one of the best shooters ever, Magic-Bird rivalry, top 10 player ever)
* LeBron James (best all around SF of all time, one of a kind talent)

Power Forward:
*Kevin McHale (one of the best PFs ever, excellent post moves)
*Karl Malone (excellent long career, great scorer, excelled in pick-and-roll play)
*Tim Duncan (best PF of all time, best player of his decade)
* Dirk Nowitzki (best international player of all time, best outside shooting big man)

Center:
*George Mikan (leagues first superstar and first dominant big man)
*Bill Russell (greatest winner, defender, and leader of all time)
* Kareem (best all around center of all time, NBA icon, sky-hook)
* Shaq (dominant athlete, biggest force on an NBA court, one of a kind talent)

Players who just missed the cut:
* Wilt - it was tough to leave off Wilt. Even though he was just as dominant, if not more, than Shaq I just feel that Shaq changed the way teams guarded him and refs called games more-so than any other big men... Also with all the great big men in league history I really didn't want to take two guys from the same era, Russell basically beat him out off a spot for me.

Rick Barry - great all around player, awesome free throw form, one of the first point forwards, and one of the first forwards to league the league in scoring by his outside play.

Elgin Baylor - one of the best all around players ever, statistical monster.

Scottie Pippen - possibly the best sidekick ever, played robin to everyone's favorite basketball duo, incredible defender.

Allen Iverson - best scoring little man I've ever saw play, helped pioneer the modern NBA with the headbands, arm sleeves, and tattoos, one of the best SGs to ever play.
I think Scottie should have been on the list over Havlicek for the simple fact that he re-defined and raised the bar on the 'point forward' position. Yes, he wasn't the first but he elevated it.

And I hear you on Hakeem. His impact was more on the era he played. BUT the era he played in was probably the best crop of centers the league will ever see. And for a while, he was the best of the bunch.
 
# 63 Dice @ 02/18/14 02:44 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by bakan723
Had to facepalm when I heard this. You don't say that about yourself, lol, you're supposed to let others say stuff like that. herp

No wonder why ppl don't like this guy. What a clown.
Michael Jordan proclaimed to be the greatest player of all-time. Was he a clown for saying that?
 
# 64 ojandpizza @ 02/18/14 02:47 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dice
Michael Jordan proclaimed to be the greatest player of all-time. Was he a clown for saying that?

And guys like Oscar, Wilt, and I'm sure other old players all claimed they were better than Jordan and the greats from the 90's during that time period... But all those older guys were like that, West seems to be the only humble one of the bunch.
 
# 65 ojandpizza @ 02/18/14 02:57 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dice
I think Scottie should have been on the list over Havlicek for the simple fact that he re-defined and raised the bar on the 'point forward' position. Yes, he wasn't the first but he elevated it.



And I hear you on Hakeem. His impact was more on the era he played. BUT the era he played in was probably the best crop of centers the league will ever see. And for a while, he was the best of the bunch.

Honestly the small forward selection was the toughest for me. I originally said Baylor over Hondo and changed it, and LeBron has really finished his career and legacy yet and could have easily been left off..

If I would have put Pippen on the list it would have been more because of he and Jordan dominating their era. I was never overly impressed with his point forward abilities.. No doubt he was a point forward and that role was a critical one for Chicago, but he was never really creating a whole lot for others, teammates weren't overly benefitting from him making plays for them.. He was more of a back to the defender ball handler, like Magic and Mark Jackson, who mostly got the ball into play and let Jordan take it from their.. Not trying to discredit him for being skilled enough to be play the point forward role, it's just that it was never really something that impressed me personally the way it does some.. Completely understand you or anyone else picking him though..

Hakeem would have easily made my list had I just picked the best 4 centers, and I do agree he was the best big man in an era of what most people consider the best for centers.. But the impact Mikan, Wilt, and Shaq had.. Those guys were just rule changers from how dominant they were.. And Kareem and Russell were locks for me.
 
# 66 KG @ 02/18/14 03:10 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by RedSceptile
LeBron isn't the 1st of his kind. People act like he's some beyond unique specimen. What about a guy like Michael Phelps whose body is pretty much tailored to swimming, it was always stated how creepy his body was almost engineered for swimming. Or Robert Nkemdiche who is freaking 300 lbs with a solid six pack, a freak specimen. Please let's not act like there aren't other guys who are freak athletes.
We're talking about basketball players. It's hard enough to compare big men vs guards let alone a hoops player vs a swimmer.
 
# 67 KG @ 02/18/14 03:14 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ojandpizza
Tonight my brother and his friends were talking about Kobe's comments on this topic, and one of them said it's "hard to make a Mount Rushmore of just 4 players, it should be 4 at each position." So we all kind of gave our input on the subject and I thought I would just share the list I came up with and if anyone wants to post theirs or comment on mine jump in.

My voting was a combination of both how good the player was, and also the impact they had on the league. I'll list some credentials out by some of the players, which will all just be based on my opinion.

Point Guard:
* Bob Cousy (first great true PG, pioneered "flashy" and showmanship)
* Oscar Robertson (mr. Triple double, first guard to dominate all areas of the game.)
* Magic Johnson (best all around PG of all time, one of a kind talent, showtime, Bird-Magic rivalry)
* John Stockton (best pure PG of all time, assist and steals leader)

Shooting Guard:
* Jerry West (one of the first combo guards, NBA logo, Mr. Clutch)
* George Gervin (one of the first great pure scoring wing men, first guard with 3 straight scoring titles, finger roll, NBA icon)
* Michael Jordan (greatest SG of all time, one of a kind talent)
* Kobe Bryant (one of the best SGs of all time, best guard in this era)

Small Forward:
*John Havlicek (the original 6th man, great all around player)
* Dr. J (biggest impact on the above the rim play, NBA icon)
* Larry Bird (one of the best shooters ever, Magic-Bird rivalry, top 10 player ever)
* LeBron James (best all around SF of all time, one of a kind talent)

Power Forward:
*Kevin McHale (one of the best PFs ever, excellent post moves)
*Karl Malone (excellent long career, great scorer, excelled in pick-and-roll play)
*Tim Duncan (best PF of all time, best player of his decade)
* Dirk Nowitzki (best international player of all time, best outside shooting big man)

Center:
*George Mikan (leagues first superstar and first dominant big man)
*Bill Russell (greatest winner, defender, and leader of all time)
* Kareem (best all around center of all time, NBA icon, sky-hook)
* Shaq (dominant athlete, biggest force on an NBA court, one of a kind talent)

Players who just missed the cut:
* Wilt - it was tough to leave off Wilt. Even though he was just as dominant, if not more, than Shaq I just feel that Shaq changed the way teams guarded him and refs called games more-so than any other big men... Also with all the great big men in league history I really didn't want to take two guys from the same era, Russell basically beat him out off a spot for me.

Rick Barry - great all around player, awesome free throw form, one of the first point forwards, and one of the first forwards to league the league in scoring by his outside play.

Elgin Baylor - one of the best all around players ever, statistical monster.

Scottie Pippen - possibly the best sidekick ever, played robin to everyone's favorite basketball duo, incredible defender.

Allen Iverson - best scoring little man I've ever saw play, helped pioneer the modern NBA with the headbands, arm sleeves, and tattoos, one of the best SGs to ever play.
I'm not going to comment on guys who pre-dated my basketball viewership but it's well documented that the NBA changed A LOT of rules because of Wilt. http://www.nba.com/history/players/chamberlain_bio.html "During his career, his dominance precipitated many rules changes. These rules changed included widening the lane, instituting offensive goaltending and revising rules governing inbounding the ball and shooting free throws (Chamberlain would leap with the ball from behind the foul line to deposit the ball in the basket)." IMO, those are huge rule changes
 
# 68 ojandpizza @ 02/18/14 03:30 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by KG
I'm not going to comment on guys who pre-dated my basketball viewership but it's well documented that the NBA changed A LOT of rules because of Wilt. http://www.nba.com/history/players/chamberlain_bio.html "During his career, his dominance precipitated many rules changes. These rules changed included widening the lane, instituting offensive goaltending and revising rules governing inbounding the ball and shooting free throws (Chamberlain would leap with the ball from behind the foul line to deposit the ball in the basket)." IMO, those are huge rule changes

Mikan also changed rules too. Defensive goaltending, and they widened the lane when he played as well, and widened again with Wilt.. The Wilt free throw thing was well before he became a pro I think..

I chose Mikan because he was basically the leagues first superstar. And Shaq because he was dominant like Wilt, but teams completely changed how they had to guard a big man with Shaq.. Some teams just gave up and fouled him. And refs had absolutely no idea how to ref with Shaq, it was bizarre to watch because I never full understand how a foul isn't a foul regardless of if you are 300 pounds or 200 pounds lol. The refs always looked baffled and confused with their whistles in their mouths wondering if they should blow it or not lol.

Just my opinion on it. With all the great big men deserving of a spot I really didn't want two guys from the same position who played in the same era.. Russell basically took Wilt's spot on my list.
 
# 69 KG @ 02/18/14 03:44 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ojandpizza
Mikan also changed rules too. Defensive goaltending, and they widened the lane when he played as well, and widened again with Wilt.. The Wilt free throw thing was well before he became a pro I think..

I chose Mikan because he was basically the leagues first superstar. And Shaq because he was dominant like Wilt, but teams completely changed how they had to guard a big man with Shaq.. Some teams just gave up and fouled him. And refs had absolutely no idea how to ref with Shaq, it was bizarre to watch because I never full understand how a foul isn't a foul regardless of if you are 300 pounds or 200 pounds lol. The refs always looked baffled and confused with their whistles in their mouths wondering if they should blow it or not lol.

Just my opinion on it. With all the great big men deserving of a spot I really didn't want two guys from the same position who played in the same era.. Russell basically took Wilt's spot on my list.
IMO, that just speaks to how impact-full Wilt was (changing of the rules before he even gets there). I wasn't disagreeing with your list though since it's your list but I'd personally have Kareem & Wilt over Mikan & maybe Shaq. I always felt like Shaq could have been more dominant if his work ethic was better (not even talking about free throws). But I digress as I've only seen old Kareem play from that list and none of them with the regularity of Shaq.
 
# 70 BringTheHeat @ 02/18/14 06:59 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by bakan723
Had to facepalm when I heard this. You don't say that about yourself, lol, you're supposed to let others say stuff like that. herp

No wonder why ppl don't like this guy. What a clown.
There's a lot of clowns throughout history then. So let's debate who's the best clown.
 
# 71 DaImmaculateONe @ 02/19/14 12:25 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by KG
I'm not going to comment on guys who pre-dated my basketball viewership but it's well documented that the NBA changed A LOT of rules because of Wilt. http://www.nba.com/history/players/chamberlain_bio.html "During his career, his dominance precipitated many rules changes. These rules changed included widening the lane, instituting offensive goaltending and revising rules governing inbounding the ball and shooting free throws (Chamberlain would leap with the ball from behind the foul line to deposit the ball in the basket)." IMO, those are huge rule changes
yeah i think about how its most influential to the game not necessary just the best stats

george washington = bill russell
thomas jefferson = wilt chamberlain
theodore roosevelt = micheal jordan
abraham lincoln = julius erving
 
# 72 OkayC @ 02/19/14 05:15 PM
As far as this whole lebron thing. Idc what he proclaims to be, He could proclaim himself the greatest ever for all i care. i just dont care what athletes call themselves. i think the only sad part is that lebron may not be remembered as being one of the top 3 greatest, partially because of his passive attitude on the court. But imo as long as he has rings, why the heck should he care about how he's remembered anyway. I mean the dude is in a class of just absolutely elite players that i don't see anyone matching anytime soon. The only player that will come close to that elite list of players of lebron mj and others is durant. And even then i think people don't like to acknowledge that durant could nip at lebrons heels only cuz its crazy to think another player could come that close to lbj, but i still think even durants potential will only allow him to just barely touch lebrons heels. Overall the dude is great and could go down as top 3 greatest ever, he can call himself what he wants.

Yea i know strange to see me give such praise to lebron, i really don't hate the dude at all, nor do i even care about what the heat do most of the time. Its just alot of heat fans have annoyed me over the years so i tend to give the team and lebron more crap than what is do.
 
# 73 poloelite @ 03/01/14 01:38 PM
Let's be real about Lebron. He has only been the undisputed best player in the league for 2 seasons, last year and the year before. This year Durant is on his side and leading MVP candidate.


Before these last two years Kobe was still in winning mode and Lebron had trouble closing games and an awful NBA Finals. While what he did in Cleveland was impressive, it wasn't all time great impressive, especially top 4 worthy. He basically had great stats on underachieving teams. I've seen TMac, AI and Grant Hill do similar. This next phase of Lebron's should be about separating himself or establishing something freakish no one has ever done before.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
# 74 ojandpizza @ 03/01/14 02:06 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by poloelite
Let's be real about Lebron. He has only been the undisputed best player in the league for 2 seasons, last year and the year before. This year Durant is on his side and leading MVP candidate.


Before these last two years Kobe was still in winning mode and Lebron had trouble closing games and an awful NBA Finals. While what he did in Cleveland was impressive, it wasn't all time great impressive, especially top 4 worthy. He basically had great stats on underachieving teams. I've seen TMac, AI and Grant Hill do similar. This next phase of Lebron's should be about separating himself or establishing something freakish no one has ever done before.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bitter Cleveland fan?
 
# 75 ClutchCity @ 03/02/14 10:18 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ojandpizza
Bitter Cleveland fan?




Just because there is truth in poloelite statement doesn't make him a bitter fan at all. Its true 2 years ago he became the best player when he got his 1st. I personally didn't like it all because of all the media hype and every bandwagon fan known to basketball decided to become overnight Heat fans. I know true Heat fans and none of em give Lebron praise. Remember Lebron wouldn't have 2 titles if it weren't for Ray Allen game 6. Nothing taken away from the team, but the fact that he's saying he's going to be the best ever. Comes with a lot of success, which he has accomplished already. Its going to be interesting is really the point I am trying to get to.
 
# 76 EAGLESFAN10 @ 03/02/14 10:27 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by poloelite
Let's be real about Lebron. He has only been the undisputed best player in the league for 2 seasons, last year and the year before. This year Durant is on his side and leading MVP candidate.


Before these last two years Kobe was still in winning mode and Lebron had trouble closing games and an awful NBA Finals. While what he did in Cleveland was impressive, it wasn't all time great impressive, especially top 4 worthy. He basically had great stats on underachieving teams. I've seen TMac, AI and Grant Hill do similar. This next phase of Lebron's should be about separating himself or establishing something freakish no one has ever done before.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Uhh Durant isnt "Leading" the MVP Race it's damn near a Toss up and I give LeBron the edge right now

What's gone hurt Durant's chances at winning it is Westbrook IMO
 
# 77 lilteapot @ 03/02/14 11:12 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ClutchCity
Just because there is truth in poloelite statement doesn't make him a bitter fan at all. Its true 2 years ago he became the best player when he got his 1st. I personally didn't like it all because of all the media hype and every bandwagon fan known to basketball decided to become overnight Heat fans. I know true Heat fans and none of em give Lebron praise. Remember Lebron wouldn't have 2 titles if it weren't for Ray Allen game 6. Nothing taken away from the team, but the fact that he's saying he's going to be the best ever. Comes with a lot of success, which he has accomplished already. Its going to be interesting is really the point I am trying to get to.
And ray allen would never have gotten that shot if not for chris bosh. and that whole situation would never have happened if lebron had not gone on that run early in the 4th.
 
# 78 The 24th Letter @ 03/02/14 11:23 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ClutchCity
Just because there is truth in poloelite statement doesn't make him a bitter fan at all. Its true 2 years ago he became the best player when he got his 1st. I personally didn't like it all because of all the media hype and every bandwagon fan known to basketball decided to become overnight Heat fans. I know true Heat fans and none of em give Lebron praise. Remember Lebron wouldn't have 2 titles if it weren't for Ray Allen game 6. Nothing taken away from the team, but the fact that he's saying he's going to be the best ever. Comes with a lot of success, which he has accomplished already. Its going to be interesting is really the point I am trying to get to.

If your "true Heat fan" friends don't give LeBron praise then I find it hard to believe they are "true Heat fans"

again with the whole "if it wasn't for Ray Allen" thing? SMH. It's like every Bron discussion takes place in bizarro world...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
# 79 ojandpizza @ 03/02/14 02:56 PM
The fact that every single person has to dig so deep to find silly arguments like this against LeBron, whether your a Jordan fan, Kobe fan, whoever fan, the fact that people have to dig into things that really have nothing to do with how good he is/isn't at basketball is really saying something..

Ray Allen hitting or missing that shot has nothing to do with how great of a player LeBron is.. If that's the judgement someone has to reach for to say he isn't a Jordan or a Kobe then there isn't anything any of us should even respond with to make an argument.. So laughable and elementary.
 
# 80 EAGLESFAN10 @ 03/02/14 07:29 PM
The problem I have is why can't people just appreciate Greatness when it presents itself

LeBron wants to set his own path not leave up to what Jordan did in his career

Whether people like him or not he WILL be known as the one of the GREATEST players to play the game of Basketball
 


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