Is LeBron the greatest ever

[CMJ]

If some of the teams had ZERO black players? I'd like my chances if I were Lebron, or MJ'S, or Kobe...or Muggsy Bogues.

He mentioned one team - that happened to make the NBA Finals. Most teams were integrated then (I wouldn't be stunned if the Hawks were the only team that wasn't) -- it's not like we're talking the George Mikan NBA.

[UNT90]

When Bill Russell won his first championship, there were 8 teams in the league. The Lakers were in Minnesota, and 3/8ths of the league was in Fort Wayne, Rochester, and Syracuse. His Celtics won the finals in a 7 game thriller against the St. Louis Hawks. Four of the seven games in the series were decided by 2 points or fewer. Fun fact? The Hawks were not integrated. All white guys.

When he won his last championship, it was in an expansion year that took the league up to a whopping 14 teams. That's half as many as Michael Jordan had to overcome to win his first title.

Not trying to diminish Bill Russell... But pointing to rings as a way of calling him the definitive greatest is ridiculous without appreciating context. Because if Michael Jordan or LeBron played any seasons against 7 other teams that looked like the Washington Generals... They would have a hell of a lot more championships, too.

Tell Ron about this stat -

First Round Playoff Exits:

Michael Jordan - 3

Bill Russell - 1

LeBron James - 0

Disclaimer: I don't much care for LeBron James.

As a white guy who tries to play basketball, I'm offended.

I mean, your right, but I'm still offended.

[JesseMartin]

The only funny part about Movie 43 was at the very end with Terrence Howard, and it would easily solve the latter portions of this discussion.

[Quoner]

Is this a real thread or the cutting room floor of ESPN First Take?

[Cr1028]

Tell Ron about this stat -

First Round Playoff Exits:

Michael Jordan - 3

Bill Russell - 1

LeBron James - 0

Disclaimer: I don't much care for LeBron James.

I'm not a big basketball follower but shouldn't it be mentioned that Lebron didn't even make the playoffs the first two years of his career while Jordan was in the playoffs every year of his Bulls career.

[gksmith]

Someone graft an 11th finger on Bill Russell so he can wear all 11 rings at once.

[SCREAMING EAGLE-66]

---Tough to evaluate best especially on a team sport where a players success often depends on others. [ see Wes Welker prior to N.E.] Rules change which benefits or hurts some [ once no 3-point shot and dunks illegal ] The style of play changes which some fit into well and not into other styles... Lots of great ones in past... Bill Russell, Wilt, Jordan, Bird etc..... Even at which position [ Shaq, great rebounds, shooting percent but could not shoot free throws and forget his working as a point guard..].. All around, Bird has played every position, could even shoot 3's, but not the best at some facets. No one will argue Rodman was the best but he has a lot of rings and at several places and great at rebounds.

Edited July 14, 2013 by SCREAMING EAGLE-66

[KRAM1]

Simple answer...no...not as yet anyway. Time will tell.