Lebron - 3 best players in history - MJ, Dr. J, Bird

[nickagneta]

While I don't think Dr J is among the top 3 players in history, I really don't think modern day "rankers" of the best basketball players ever give him his due sometimes because he started out his first 5 years out in the ABA in the  divided and strange, drugged out times that were the 1970's.

[sed522002]

Are we really getting upset over his top 3?..lol. I can see if he said his top 3 players were himself, Wade, and Bosh.

You can ask this same question to another player and get 3 totally different people on their list. It doesn't make it a right or wrong answer. People were upset/confused when KD said that he most looked up to Bird. Some analyst/people thought he should have a different answer.

well, this is celticsblog. If Lebron said Bird instead of Dr. J, we would be praising him right now.

Well he did name Bird as one of his 3..lol..that's why I don't understand why he's an idiot.

[hpantazo]

Are we really getting upset over his top 3?..lol. I can see if he said his top 3 players were himself, Wade, and Bosh.

You can ask this same question to another player and get 3 totally different people on their list. It doesn't make it a right or wrong answer. People were upset/confused when KD said that he most looked up to Bird. Some analyst/people thought he should have a different answer.

well, this is celticsblog. If Lebron said Bird instead of Dr. J, we would be praising him right now.

Well he did name Bird as one of his 3..lol..that's why I don't understand why he's an idiot.

because as much as we want to pretend we're upset that he named Dr. J instead of Magic or Wilt, we are actually upset because he named Dr. J instead of Bill Russell,thus he failed to name 2 celtics in his top 3.

[ronaldo943]

That's cool we all have different opinions on who is in the top 3 and I'm just glad he didn't name himself as that would have gotten me mad.

[aporel#18]

Are we really getting upset over his top 3?..lol. I can see if he said his top 3 players were himself, Wade, and Bosh.

You can ask this same question to another player and get 3 totally different people on their list. It doesn't make it a right or wrong answer. People were upset/confused when KD said that he most looked up to Bird. Some analyst/people thought he should have a different answer.

well, this is celticsblog. If Lebron said Bird instead of Dr. J, we would be praising him right now.

Well he did name Bird as one of his 3..lol..that's why I don't understand why he's an idiot.

because as much as we want to pretend we're upset that he named Dr. J instead of Magic or Wilt, we are actually upset because he named Dr. J instead of Bill Russell,thus he failed to name 2 celtics in his top 3.

lol... no, he's an idiot because of his childish attitude, his "why aren't you bowing down in my presence? You have to like me!". You can argue his "best 3 players in history" is more or less accurate. From a marketing perspective, those three were great, and every kid growing up in the early 80s would want to be like them... but Magic was the real deal as a player and showman, and alongside Bird was a phenomenon for the NBA. He should be in his list.

But the thing is, LeBron didn't grow up in the 80s, and he could've said "the best 3 wing players" or "my favorite 3 players" it would be ok. If he's saying those three are "the best", he's wrong, in my opinion. Wilt was the most dominant player in history, and if it wasn't for Russell and the Cs (Defense and Team Game wins championships) you can tell he would've won a lot of rings, but that's why Russell is the GOAT. When Zen Master have said he'd start a team with Russell over Jordan, it must mean something.

I don't care about LeBron and Durant praising Bird, what bugs me is LeBron fans comparing him to Larry Legend. LeBron is great, but that's apples and oranges.

[mgent]

Everybody relax.  LeBron is a high-scoring wing, of course he thinks the best players are the best high-scoring wings.

That said, those are with a doubt the indisputable top 3.  Dr J is a top 10 (probably top 8 or 9) player.  While Oscar and Magic were better players overall, Erving was the more explosive scorer/defender.  People thought about Dr J the same way we think of LeBron nowadays.  Bird, Oscar, and Magic just happen to be on a whole other level than the one they are on (or ever will be on).

[D.o.s.]

much ado about nothing.

[Surferdad]

Wow...a lot hate on Lebron for a decent list.  I do agree, however, I would not have had Dr.J in there.

All time great list are always tricky.  What are your rating? Greatest winner, did it at a high level for the longest amount of time, or had the greatest peak for atleast a few years.

With that in mind, my list would be:

1.Jordan (Could do it all, did it for a long time, and won multiple MVPs, 6 rings, and 6 Finals Trips)
2.Bird (Had the greatest 4 year peak of any player ever. (84-87, 3 MVPS in a row)  Larry literally could do everything at an exceptional level, yes even defend.  Won 3 finals, 5 finals trips).
3. Russell (Greatest winner ever.  Most finals wins and trips by a long shot)

Yes it's a decent list and kind of shocking to see people call him an idiot. I think we all agree he didn't get it right, but an idiot he is not. I give him a C.

Clearly his error was leaving out Russell, Magic, Kareem and Chamberlain.  I can't really separate any of these guys from Michael and Bird, but if pressed I would only vote for Russell as a cut above any of them.

[timobusa]

Misleading title,
Lebron was asked who his top 3 players are.
Not the top 3 players in history.

Lebron is entitled to his own opinion.
Just like anybody else.

I don't really know what the fuss is about.
Thats HIS top 3, not yours, not mine. It's his.

[Vermont Green]

Always a topic for debate.

For me, the first two are easy:

1.  Jordan
2.  Magic

Number 3 is probably Russell but he did most of his damage before my time so I don't have any first hand memories.

Dr. J, Bird, and others like Jabbar are all in the discussion for the next tier plus some contemporaries such as Kobe, LeBron and based on what I sometimes read on this blog Rajon Rondo will be in the discussion as well.

[ronaldo943]

Misleading title,
Lebron was asked who his top 3 players are.
Not the top 3 players in history.

Lebron is entitled to his own opinion.
Just like anybody else.

I don't really know what the fuss is about.
Thats HIS top 3, not yours, not mine. It's his.

Peope will always find a way to hate on whatever Lebron says.

[CelticMaclean]

My top 3
Michael Jordan
Bill Russell
Magic Johnson

In that order.

I personally think that Erving is extremely underrated in the discussion of the all time greats. Easily among the top 20 players of history.

[Onslaught]

I've always though that as great as Wilt Chamberlain was he's still overrated. Top ten, sure but not top three. I never felt he had the will or mindset of the trully GREAT players like MJ, Bird or Russell. He had the body and skills but I question his will.

[Fan from VT]

I think if you have russell as, say, 3rd best all time then wilt is 4th best all time. Because either russell was so good bexause he is who prevented the great wilt from winning so many titles or russell is overrated because he was on a stacked team versus lesser, overrated opposition.

[timobusa]

Misleading title,
Lebron was asked who his top 3 players are.
Not the top 3 players in history.

Lebron is entitled to his own opinion.
Just like anybody else.

I don't really know what the fuss is about.
Thats HIS top 3, not yours, not mine. It's his.

Peope will always find a way to hate on whatever Lebron says.

I know right? I'm not even a Lebron supporter and I'm on his side with this.

What next? Whats Lebrons top 3 fast food places?

Burger King
Carl's Jr
Taco Bell

Oh no lets hate on him because he did not put Mcdonalds on there!

Some people just need to chill.