Has Lebron James exceeded, met, or failed your expectations?

[Heavincent]

My expectations were that he would be one of the greatest players ever. So, I'd say he's met my expectations.

[RRR3]

He's already a top 25-30 player of all time and his best seasons match up well with some all-time greats. If he can solve his finals problems (no small task, I admit, he has to prove he can sustain his play into the finals) and win multiple finals mvps and keep up his current production for a while, there's no reason he can't crack the top 10.

[Heavincent]

He's already a top 25-30 player of all time and his best seasons match up well with some all-time greats. If he can solve his finals problems (no small task, I admit, he has to prove he can sustain his play into the finals) and win multiple finals mvps and keep up his current production for a while, there's no reason he can't crack the top 10.

Lots of "ifs" in there.

He said Lebron already is one of the best players of all time, and that's obviously false.

[RRR3]

Lots of "ifs" in there.

He said Lebron already is one of the best players of all time, and that's obviously false.

Of course there's "ifs" nothing is guaranteed because his career is far from over. And it depends on what he means "by best players of all-time". Is he talking top 5? 10? 25? 50? etc.

[Kurosawa0]

Funny how no other player in recent memory, perhaps ever, is held to the insane standards LeBron is. But yeah, he's nothing but a choking statpadder If so, stop holding him to such ridiculous standards

Jalen Rose made a great point about LeBron and the historical perspective on a Grantland podcast. He mentioned that Jerry West is the logo for the league and nicknamed "Mr. Clutch", but that he made it to the NBA Finals 9 times and won only 1 time. Yet, he's remembered as one of the greatest players ever. LeBron, who by any objective view has already had a top 25 career, is somehow a giant loser because he's lost in the Finals a couple of times.

Granted, Jerry West didn't have the internet to deal with. Most of the anger you see directed at LeBron just comes from immature kids who lack a historical and practical view of the game. It's a bit sad because through all the irrational hate, they're missing the chance to enjoy one of the truly unique athletes in the history of the sport.

[JaskoX1]

Failed my expectations.

He said he was "not going to stop until he got a ring for Cleveland". Goes off to Miami and still doesn't win it all.

LeBron's performance in the 2007 Finals is still the worst Finals appearance of all time for a major star.

[RRR3]

Failed my expectations.

He said he was "not going to stop until he got a ring for Cleveland". Goes off to Miami and still doesn't win it all.

LeBron's performance in the 2007 Finals is still the worst Finals appearance of all time for a major star.

2007? Wut? Did you mean 2011? 2007 Cavs had no business in the finals in the first place, and LeBron was ****ing 21. yeah he shot like crap, but so did Derrick Rose in the ECF and Kobe against the Pacers iirc and people go, "b-b-b--b-but they were young!!!"

[Inception28]

Lots of "ifs" in there.

He said Lebron already is one of the best players of all time, and that's obviously false.

Lebron needs ifs in order to be an all-time great.

[AlphaWolf24]

2007? Wut? Did you mean 2011? 2007 Cavs had no business in the finals in the first place, and LeBron was ****ing 21. yeah he shot like crap, but so did Derrick Rose in the ECF and Kobe against the Pacers iirc and people go, "b-b-b--b-but they were young!!!"

huh?...at 21 Kobe led one of the greatest Comebacks in Playoff History and was a First team all defensive player....Game 4 of the Finals(he was also injured) he straight took over ...a year later he was arguably the best player in the world.

[JaskoX1]

2007? Wut? Did you mean 2011? 2007 Cavs had no business in the finals in the first place, and LeBron was ****ing 21. yeah he shot like crap, but so did Derrick Rose in the ECF and Kobe against the Pacers iirc and people go, "b-b-b--b-but they were young!!!"

Face it. He choked in the finals. God forbid giving Damon Jones another chance.

2010 vs Boston in the playoffs is a whole topic itself. We all know 'the quit'. (even with Wade treatment).

[Kurosawa0]

2007? Wut? Did you mean 2011? 2007 Cavs had no business in the finals in the first place, and LeBron was ****ing 21. yeah he shot like crap, but so did Derrick Rose in the ECF and Kobe against the Pacers iirc and people go, "b-b-b--b-but they were young!!!"

For as much grief as everyone gives LeBron for some of his lesser performances in the playoffs, many other "great" players have been just as bad.

Kobe shot 4-13 against the Pistons in game 3 of the 2004 Finals, resulting in just 11 points.

Dirk shot 2-14 in game 4 of the 2006 Finals.

Shaq shot 2-5 in game 2 of the 2006 Finals... for the massive total of 5 points.

Yet, somehow, LeBron's 3-11 in game 4 was the worst performance ever.

Did LeBron play well in the Finals? No, but after that game 4 he did have a triple double in game 5 and was Miami's leading scorer in game 6. It wasn't remotely enough, but to act like it somehow was this horrendous showing that is worse than anything anyone else has ever done is ridiculous. You can't make that argument if you know the history of the sport.

[ThaRegul8r]

I don't form expectations, I just watch them play and observe how they do.

[Hondo]

Failed.

The hype around LeBron was huge, he was supposed to be Magic Jordan, an ultimate hybrid. He has never really developed any go to moves, not even Magic's baby hook, and he has not shown the loyalty of either star. Michael Jordan made Chicago a legitimate basketball city.

LeBron has put up great numbers, and then choked in the playoffs. He exhibits none of Jordan or Magic's moxie and he is a traitor. When his career is finished with, that's something I'll think about, how he turned his back on his home. Olajuwon could have been in the same light had he moved from Houston to Miami like he wanted. LeBron should have stuck it out. Jamison is now an expirer, he could have had a decent team around him eventually. Jordan had to endure his share of losing, and LeBron never helped his teammates improve like Magic did. LeBron moving away from playing point guard wa sa huge mistake. He has the gonads to defend point guard, or to be hidden away guarding a wing.

[pauk]

in what terms?

as a career? lol.. that is impossible to answer as the guy is only 26 and only getting better and will be here for like around 12 more years....

as of his 1st few years in the NBA? Yes.. he has exceeded my expectations... you could be cherry picking and saying he didnt get a championship, but that is out of his hands as that is the biggest team accomplishment there is... you could be playing like a bball god sent from heaven as much as you like, you can never win a championship alone... nobody could with a scrub team, not even jordan could until he get at least pippen at the age of 27-28....

its only now lebron had a taste of a great team, he has soaked it all in and will start spamming championships... starting with this upcoming season... if there is one..

[The Iron Fist]

Hes exactly what I thought he would be. Overrated, overhyped and unable to perform in the most crucial moments.