Will 35-year old Lebron elevate in the playoffs like 98' MJ did? (stats inside)

[3ball]

Jordan 98' RS... 25.2 PER.. 0.238 ws/48.. 5.9 obpm.. 20.0 gmsc.. +7.3.... 9.7 net rating
Lebron 20' RS... 25.6 PER.. 0.209 ws/48.. 6.5 obpm.. 21.2 gmsc.. +8.4.. 10.7 net rating
Jordan 98' PO... 28.1 PER.. 0.265 ws/48.. 8.0 obpm.. 22.2 gmsc.. +7.7.. 10.2 net rating


I still give MJ the regular season edge because he led the bulls to the 1 seed for the first 35 games without Pippen (barely top 15 in 1998), while Lebron had MVP-caliber AD to take pressure off and boost efficiency..

Also, league-wide ortg was 105.0 in 1998, compared to 110.2 today - so defenses allow 5 more points per 100 possessions today on average (10-20 for the best teams)

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Regular-season probably goes to Lebron. I think he's played better defense and has been the superior playmaker.

Bron really has turned it up the last month or so. And looks better than he did all of last year. Good defense and attacking the paint with veracity. These past few games, he's also gotten more rhythm with his 3-point shot.

Mike's 1998 postseason run was legendary. Don't know if Bron will eclipse that, but at 35, he's paced himself for a potential epic playoff run.

[3ball]

Regular-season probably goes to Lebron. I think he's played better defense and has been the superior playmaker.

Bron really has turned it up the last month or so. And looks better than he did all of last year. Good defense and attacking the paint with veracity. These past few games, he's also gotten more rhythm with his 3-point shot.

Mike's 1998 postseason run was leg toendary. Don't know if Bron will eclipse that, but at 35, he's paced himself for a potential epic playoff run.

Pippen was out half the year in 98' - if Lebron was missing AD for half the year, he might break down like last year when he had to carry the load.. Having AD for a full year versus a half year makes a big difference and should tilt it in MJ's favor.

And I'll give Lebron the edge in personal stats for the regular season, but 2nd three-peat MJ had goat team offenses/ortgs with much less offensive help (because MJ had skills needed for the triangle to work as intended).

So the Lakers would have the #1 offense in the league if MJ was paired with this era's David Robinson and hand-picked the best coach he thought was available.. Heck, 99' MJ would've returned for that scenario rather than the rebuild he dreaded.

With a far more devastating offense and a better brand than Vogel can achieve with Lebron's skillset, the Lakers would threaten 70 wins and be considered locks to win.. That's better than the current hand-wringing over whether the Lakers should be favored or whether they have enough to win.. Even lebron fans admit that MJ elevates good casts better - he was always a lock with a cast, and this Laker cast certainly qualifies..

So the regular season stats mean little because MJ's stats are close and he elevates the team to greater heights/would give this Laker team a better chance to win

And another factor is clutch - From 2004-2019 (Lebron's entire career), Lebron shot 41% on 3.0 attempts down the stretch of tight games (last 5 minutes, within 5), while 97' and 98' MJ shot 47% on 3.6 attempts (20% more attempts in the clutch).. So MJ was always more clutch.. He was simply better, and would be a lock to win with these Lakers.

[deathawaitu]

Lets be real here... Lakers will goes as far in the playoff as AD takes them. AD has completely elevated this lakers team (didn't expect them to do this well to be honest)

Lebron is 35 years old with huge mileage. He is 2nd fiddle in most the games against top contenders. (no shame to that) Lebron will act as first opinion against teams that are not in the playoffs.

That's how he balance his overall average stats this year

[Mr.GOAT2408]

Jordan's 98 lowkey might be the most impressive season anyone has had... even for MJ who has had some of the absolute best seasons anyone has had but he was younger and had a better team around him before 98. That was a straight carry job from the RS to the finals, which is insane to say for someone that did not monopolize the ball particularly that season

He started the season off really slow and I remember many doubting him early on with his FG% hovering under 45% for a good portion of the season, of course it was harder to score efficiently in those days but still. I had my doubts as well but he showed us why he's the GOAT when he carried them to the championship

LeBron isn't having the same RS but he is having an all-time age 35 season, we'll see how he does in the PS

[AussieSteve]

Lets be real here... Lakers will goes as far in the playoff as AD takes them. AD has completely elevated this lakers team (didn't expect them to do this well to be honest)

Lebron is 35 years old with huge mileage. He is 2nd fiddle in most the games against top contenders. (no shame to that) Lebron will act as first opinion against teams that are not in the playoffs.

That's how he balance his overall average stats this year

This is manifestly not true.

Some of Lebron's averages vs top teams this season...

Vs Boston - 22/8/11
Vs Dallas - 28/11/11
Vs Denver - 29/9/12
Vs Houston - 25/7/14
Vs Clippers - 21/10/9
Vs Milwaukee - 21/12/11
Vs Philly - 29/7/8
Vs Toronto - 13/13/15
Vs Utah - 26/6/11

He's been consistent vs almost every team

[SouBeachTalents]

This is manifestly not true.

Some of Lebron's averages vs top teams this season...

Vs Boston - 22/8/11
Vs Dallas - 28/11/11
Vs Denver - 29/9/12
Vs Houston - 25/7/14
Vs Clippers - 21/10/9
Vs Milwaukee - 21/12/11
Vs Philly - 29/7/8
Vs Toronto - 13/13/15
Vs Utah - 26/6/11

He's been consistent vs almost every team

Bro, why are you giving serious replies to an account that has 4 posts in 9 years

[3ball]

This is manifestly not true.

Some of Lebron's averages vs top teams this season...

Vs Boston - 22/8/11
Vs Dallas - 28/11/11
Vs Denver - 29/9/12
Vs Houston - 25/7/14
Vs Clippers - 21/10/9
Vs Milwaukee - 21/12/11
Vs Philly - 29/7/8
Vs Toronto - 13/13/15
Vs Utah - 26/6/11

He's been consistent vs almost every team

LeBron's net rating against the good teams is shit.. pure shit

I'm not sure he isn't already in playoff mode, and can't elevate in the playoffs as he's done when he was younger

[AirBonner]

6,911

[AussieSteve]

LeBron's net rating against the good teams is shit.. pure shit

I'm not sure he isn't already in playoff mode, and can't elevate in the playoffs as he's done when he was younger

I'm going to hazard a guess that it's better than AD's. haven't looked, but it's a fair assumption.

[RRR3]

3ball’s posts are shit...pure shit.


Worst NBA forum poster hands down

[BigShotBob]

This is manifestly not true.

Some of Lebron's averages vs top teams this season...

Vs Boston - 22/8/11
Vs Dallas - 28/11/11
Vs Denver - 29/9/12
Vs Houston - 25/7/14
Vs Clippers - 21/10/9
Vs Milwaukee - 21/12/11
Vs Philly - 29/7/8
Vs Toronto - 13/13/15
Vs Utah - 26/6/11

He's been consistent vs almost every team

Denver, Dallas, Toronto and Utah are not "top" teams. They're very good but they're not serious contenders. Philly, Milwaukee, Clippers and Boston are the only serious contenders with Houston being a dark horse.

[AirBonner]

Denver, Dallas, Toronto and Utah are not "top" teams. They're very good but they're not serious contenders. Philly, Milwaukee, Clippers and Boston are the only serious contenders with Houston being a dark horse.

Lakers are contenders

[BigShotBob]

Lakers are contenders

Didn't include them because Lebron is on the Lakers.

[SpaceJam2]