Rank: MJ, Kobe, and LeBron's Finals Opponents

[SamuraiSWISH]

Exclude Kobe's 2000 - 2002 because of having next to Wilt, and Jordan the most dominant, game changing player of all-time.

We'll just go based off the Finals where he was the definitive best player, which was his 2008 - 2010 run. No arguments as to who was better between Shaq and Kobe.

1991 LA Lakers
1992 Portland Trailblazers
1993 Phoenix Suns
1996 Seattle Supersonics
1997 Utah Jazz
1998 Utah Jazz
2008 Boston Celtics
2009 Orlando Magic
2010 Boston Celtics
2011 Dallas Mavericks
2012 OKC Thunder
2013 San Antonio Spurs
2014 San Antonio Spurs

[TheMarkMadsen]

Why should I ignore a finals where Kobe put up 27/6/6 and a finals where he put up 25/8/6 while leading the playoffs in WS & averaging 29/7/6 for the playoffs?

Because outside of Kobe with Shaq, Jordan's running mate Pippen is by far the best "sidekick" who at times was averaging a near triple double in the finals.

[ShackEelOKneel]

2014 Spurs
2008 Celtics
1992 Blazers
1998 Jazz
2013 Spurs
2011 Mavs
1993 Suns
1997 Jazz
1996 Sonics
2010 Celitcs
1991 Lakers
2012 Thunder
2009 Magic

[fpliii]

Exclude Kobe's 2000 - 2002 because of having next to Wilt, and Jordan the most dominant, game changing player of all-time.

We'll just go based off the Finals where he was the definitive best player, which was his 2008 - 2010 run. No arguments as to who was better between Shaq and Kobe.

1991 LA Lakers
1992 Portland Trailblazers
1993 Phoenix Suns
1996 Seattle Supersonics
1997 Utah Jazz
1998 Utah Jazz
2008 Boston Celtics
2009 Orlando Magic
2010 Boston Celtics
2011 Dallas Mavericks
2012 OKC Thunder
2013 San Antonio Spurs
2014 San Antonio Spurs

What about 04 DET?

EDIT: Oops, sorry, missed the bolded.

[Bl]

[1987_Lakers]

1. 2014 Spurs
2. 2008 Celtics
3. 1997 Jazz
4. 2011 Mavs
5. 2012 Thunder
6. 2013 Spurs
7. 1998 Jazz
8. 2010 Celtics
9. 1993 Suns
10. 1996 Sonics
11. 1992 Blazers
12. 1991 Lakers
13. 2009 Magic

[K Xerxes]

Why should I ignore a finals where Kobe put up 27/6/6 and a finals where he put up 25/8/6 while leading the playoffs in WS & averaging 29/7/6 for the playoffs?

Because outside of Kobe with Shaq, Jordan's running mate Pippen is by far the best "sidekick" who at times was averaging a near triple double in the finals.

So the 01 sixers and 02 Nets could be put at the bottom of everyone's list?

[SamuraiSWISH]

So the 01 sixers and 02 Nets could be put at the bottom of everyone's list?

Right? HAH

What about 04 DET?

Good Point. Shaq was on the decline, Kobe was on the rise. Include that one. If "The Mark Madsen" wants to bitch and moan about the 2001 Sixers, and 2002 Nets. Let's include them as well.

My rank:

1) 2008 Boston Celtics
2) 1997 Utah Jazz
3) 1996 Seattle Supersonics
4) 2014 San Antonio Spurs
5) 1993 Phoenix Suns

6) 2004 Detroit Pistons
7) 2013 San Antonio Spurs
8) 2010 Boston Celtics
9) 1998 Utah Jazz
10) 2011 Dallas Mavericks

11) 2012 OKC Thunder
12) 1992 Portland Trailblazers
13) 1991 LA Lakers
14) 2009 Orlando Magic
15) 2001 Philadelphia 76ers
16) 2002 New Jersey Nets

[fpliii]

Right? HAH


Good Point. Shaq was on the decline, Kobe was on the rise. Include that one. If "The Mark Madsen" wants to bitch and moan about the 2001 Sixers, and 2002 Nets. Let's include them as well.

My rank:

1) 2008 Boston Celtics
2) 1997 Utah Jazz
3) 1996 Seattle Supersonics
4) 2014 San Antonio Spurs
5) 1993 Phoenix Suns

6) 2004 Detroit Pistons
7) 2013 San Antonio Spurs
8) 2010 Boston Celtics
9) 1998 Utah Jazz
10) 2011 Dallas Mavericks

11) 2012 OKC Thunder
12) 1992 Portland Trailblazers
13) 1991 LA Lakers
14) 2009 Orlando Magic
15) 2001 Philadelphia 76ers
16) 2002 New Jersey Nets

One other one, what about the 07 Spurs?

[ArbitraryWater]

Ranking all of MJ's, Kobe's, LeBron's Finals Opponents:

1) 2014 San Antonio Spurs
2) 2013 San Antonio Spurs
3) 2008 Boston Celtics
4) 1997 Utah Jazz
5) 1996 Seattle Supersonics
6) 1993 Phoenix Suns
7) 2004 Detroit Pistons
9) 2012 OKC Thunder
10) 2010 Boston Celtics
11) 1998 Utah Jazz
12) 1992 Portland Trailblazers
13) 1991 LA Lakers
14) 2011 Dallas Mavericks
15) 2007 San Antonio Spurs
16) 2009 Orlando Magic
17) 2000 Indiana Pacers
18) 2002 New Jersey Nets
19) 2001 Philadelphia 76ers

[fpliii]

First off, Shaq was clearly superior to Kobe in 2004...

Yeah I corrected myself with the edit.

I'd only read the first line.

[Bandito]

For the Lakers magic were scrubs and the Celtics were a team as good or better as the Spurs this year in defense only.

[K Xerxes]

Right? HAH


Good Point. Shaq was on the decline, Kobe was on the rise. Include that one. If "The Mark Madsen" wants to bitch and moan about the 2001 Sixers, and 2002 Nets. Let's include them as well.

My rank:

1) 2008 Boston Celtics
2) 1997 Utah Jazz
3) 1996 Seattle Supersonics
4) 2014 San Antonio Spurs
5) 1993 Phoenix Suns

6) 2004 Detroit Pistons
7) 2013 San Antonio Spurs
8) 2010 Boston Celtics
9) 1998 Utah Jazz
10) 2011 Dallas Mavericks

11) 2012 OKC Thunder
12) 1992 Portland Trailblazers
13) 1991 LA Lakers
14) 2009 Orlando Magic
15) 2001 Philadelphia 76ers
16) 2002 New Jersey Nets

Agree with most of this list, but gotta say that 04 Pistons belong in that first tier. I'd consider them at third even... Rest seems about reasonable.

[SamuraiSWISH]

Ranking all of MJ's, Kobe's, LeBron's Finals Opponents:

1) 2014 San Antonio Spurs
2) 2013 San Antonio Spurs
3) 2008 Boston Celtics
4) 1997 Utah Jazz
5) 1996 Seattle Supersonics
6) 1993 Phoenix Suns
7) 2004 Detroit Pistons
9) 2012 OKC Thunder
10) 2010 Boston Celtics
11) 1998 Utah Jazz
12) 1992 Portland Trailblazers
13) 1991 LA Lakers
14) 2011 Dallas Mavericks
15) 2007 San Antonio Spurs
16) 2009 Orlando Magic
17) 2000 Indiana Pacers
18) 2002 New Jersey Nets
19) 2001 Philadelphia 76ers

How one earth is the 2013 Spurs #2? I see no logic for it what so ever other than the fact you're a MASSIVE LeStan.



Parker was injured in the Finals, Ginobili was literally playing for the Miami Heat. Duncan and co. choked away victory in 6 games. Also not to forget K. Leonard was in just his 2nd season, 3rd season is usually break out years for players. The season prior the 2012 OKC offed them.

2014 team is much superior to their 2013 counterpart. K. Leonard stepping up removed the choking gene of old age from Duncan, Parker and Ginobili. His growth is the reason they flourished so much. His youth, confidence, improved skill, and athleticism is exactly what they needed.

The rest of your list is actually really, really good. And I agree with the vast majority of it apart from the bias towards LeBron. The 2008 Boston Celtics are the clear cut best opponent in this entire list. And I'm removing my MJ bias.

[ArbitraryWater]

How one earth is the 2013 Spurs #2? I see no logic for it what so ever other than the fact you're a MASSIVE LeStan.



Parker was injured in the Finals, Ginobili was literally playing for the Miami Heat. Duncan and co. choked away victory in 6 games. Also not to forget K. Leonard was in just his 2nd season, 3rd season is usually break out years for players. The season prior the 2012 OKC offed them.

2014 team is much superior to their 2013 counterpart. K. Leonard stepping up removed the choking gene of old age from Duncan, Parker and Ginobili. His growth is the reason they flourished so much.

The rest of your list is actually really, really good. And I agree with the vast majority of it apart from the bias towards LeBron. The 2008 Boston Celtics are the clear cut best opponent in this entire list. And I'm removing my MJ bias.

Eh, yeah I guess you're right about the '13 Spurs... May correct it, kind of "busy" right now..

Edit: BTW the "choking away" part is subjective, all it means they were so good to be 6 seconds away from a title.

Oh, and I wanted to put 2002 Nets as last.. may let it stand though.