OT:Best PER's Ever!

[THE HCP]

LaBron is having an amazing season, maybe the greatest ever efficiency wise. From Hollinger-

Once again, a hallowed record (at least in my world) is in play for James as we enter the final eight games: He could surpass Michael Jordan's 1987-88 campaign for the greatest single-season PER in the modern era. I have to add the "modern" qualifier because the league didn't keep track of things like blocks and individual turnovers before 1973-74, rendering the PER exercise a guessing game for players from previous eras.

James' current PER of 31.81 is second best in "modern" history, and with eight games left (of which he'll probably play only five or six), he retains an outside shot at breaking Jordan's all-time mark of 31.89. At the very least, he's going to be within hailing distance.

Top All-time PER Seasons
Player Year PPG RPG APG MPG PER
Michael Jordan 1987-88 35.0 5.5 5.9 40.4 31.89
LeBron James 2009-10 29.8 7.2 8.6 39.0 31.81
Michael Jordan 1990-91 31.5 6.0 5.5 37.0 31.79
LeBron James 2008-09 28.4 7.6 7.2 38.6 31.76
Michael Jordan 1989-90 33.6 6.9 6.3 39.0 31.31
Michael Jordan 1988-89 32.5 8.0 8.0 40.2 31.29


And check this out.....

The MVP race has been over since about mid-January. LeBron James has run so far away from the pack that he could shoot 0-for-100 from the field over his final eight games and still win the award going away. (For fun, I fact-checked this: Even with 100 straight misses, no assists and no rebounds in his next 200 minutes, he'd still lead the league in PER.)


http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=PERDiem-100330

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

Lebron is good. I wish he was a Trail Blazer.

 

[THE HCP]

I've said it before, he measures the same height and weight as BRIAN FUCKING GRANT! He's huge!

 

[tlongII]

Actually I think he's bigger than Brian Grant.

 

[blazerboy30]

I've always thought it was ridiculous to even have the Kobe-or-Lebron debate over the last few years.

It isn't close. Lebron is head-and-shoulders above Kobe. The only people picking Kobe are the L*ker fanboys.

If Lebron gets a few rings, he will be in the conversation as one of the best ever, IMO.

 

[THE HCP]

He might be! I remember they would show him standing side by side with Ben Wallace and he was bigger then big ben!

 

[Minstrel]

I've always thought it was ridiculous to even have the Kobe-or-Lebron debate over the last few years.

It isn't close. Lebron is head-and-shoulders above Kobe. The only people picking Kobe are the L*ker fanboys.

I agree. Kobe is actually one of my favourite non-Blazers, because he's amazing to watch play, but he has an "aura of greatness" that extends beyond his actual greatness. Kobe is an inner circle Hall of Famer but has never been as good as James has been the past few years. And now Kobe is actually in his decline phase.

If Lebron gets a few rings, he will be in the conversation as one of the best ever, IMO.

I agree. He should be anyway, but it'll take a few rings to get that kind of recognition. Right from the start, I felt James was the most talented player I'd ever seen in my lifetime with the possible exception of Michael Jordan. If he has a career of good length, he should be in the conversation with players like Jordan, Chamberlain and Robertson as best ever.

 

[mook]

I've said it before, he measures the same height and weight as BRIAN FUCKING GRANT!

Brian Grant is such a douche. I've always said that if he just cared a little more he could've been the next LeBron James. Cut the check, Brian. Cut the check.

 

[Wheels]

I've always thought it was ridiculous to even have the Kobe-or-Lebron debate over the last few years.

It isn't close. Lebron is head-and-shoulders above Kobe. The only people picking Kobe are the L*ker fanboys.

If Lebron gets a few rings, he will be in the conversation as one of the best ever, IMO.

I'm not a Laker fanboy. Give me a prime Kobe over Lebron though for me. Not a slight against Lebron. I just take Kobe's skills over Lebrons athleticism. One works for you when you get older and decline, one not as much.

 

[maxiep]

I'm not a Laker fanboy. Give me a prime Kobe over Lebron though for me. Not a slight against Lebron. I just take Kobe's skills over Lebrons athleticism. One works for you when you get older and decline, one not as much.

Allow me to present a scary thought: We haven't seen LeBron in his prime yet.

 

[Wheels]

Allow me to present a scary thought: We haven't seen LeBron in his prime yet.

And on the decline of his career.. do you think he will be as good as Kobe is during his? Eventually he will slow down some, and what will he rely on? Thats part of why I take Kobe over him. Obviously not now at this point in their respective careers.. but if same age and looking at now and long term.

 

[Minstrel]

I'm not a Laker fanboy. Give me a prime Kobe over Lebron though for me. Not a slight against Lebron. I just take Kobe's skills over Lebrons athleticism. One works for you when you get older and decline, one not as much.

How is this a "skills versus athleticism" debate? James is immensely skilled. As is Kobe. Both are freak hybrids of athleticism and skill. James just has more of both. James was originally expected to be a point guard due to his ball-handling and passing skills. His shooting skills have become fantastic, and his defensive skills have turned him into one of the best-regarded defenders in the league.

I honestly don't see anything Kobe does (or did in his prime) that James doesn't do better.

 

[Wheels]

How is this a "skills versus athleticism" debate? James is immensely skilled. As is Kobe. Both are freak hybrids of athleticism and skill. James just has more of both. James was originally expected to be a point guard due to his ball-handling and passing skills. His shooting skills have become fantastic, and his defensive skills have turned him into one of the best-regarded defenders in the league.

I honestly don't see anything Kobe does (or did in his prime) that James doesn't do better.

I dunno it really is hard to explain sorry. I guess with scoring, I see Lebron going down quite a bit with what he relies on, vs what Kobe does.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

How many times have they led their team to the promise land:

Kobe-4
LeBron-0

 

[PtldPlatypus]

How many times have they led their team to the promise land:

Kobe-1
LeBron-0

Fixed. Kobe did not lead his team during the three-peat. He was Robin.

 

[Luther]

Fixed. Kobe did not lead his team during the three-peat. He was Robin.

Agreed.

 

[Wheels]

and THATS terrifying to think a player that good would only be a Robin on that team.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Fixed. Kobe did not lead his team during the three-peat. He was Robin.

Well you really didn't fix it:


How many times have they significantly contributed to their team winning a championship title:

Kobe-4
Lebron-0

Fixed

 

[Sex Panther]

How is this a "skills versus athleticism" debate? James is immensely skilled. As is Kobe. Both are freak hybrids of athleticism and skill. James just has more of both. James was originally expected to be a point guard due to his ball-handling and passing skills. His shooting skills have become fantastic, and his defensive skills have turned him into one of the best-regarded defenders in the league.

I honestly don't see anything Kobe does (or did in his prime) that James doesn't do better.

While I do concede that Lebron is better. Its really not by much (this year he's been ahead). Also, Kobe's skill level is superior to that of Lebron's imo. If we were to rate their athleticsm (at the their athletic peak --which is now for Lebron ) Kobe would be an 8.5 while Lebron would be an 11. He's an absolute physical specimen and the only two that can contend with him are a young Shaq and Wilt Chamberlain.

Also, Lebron is an overrated defender. Seriously. Kobes still ahead of him in that regard while Lebron is a better rebounder and passer. In all fairness though, Kobe is SG who fiddles at PG while Lebron plays SF/PF most of the time. I'd take Kobe in his prime over Lebron, though Lebron hasn't reached his yet.

Just two cents from a Laker fan who has been heralded as a Kobe hater every now and then.

 

[tlongII]

I dunno it really is hard to explain sorry. I guess with scoring, I see Lebron going down quite a bit with what he relies on, vs what Kobe does.

LeBron doesn't have to score to impact the game. That's what's so great about him. He has the court vision and passing ability of Magic Johnson.

 

[huevonkiller]

LeBron might be the best player I've ever seen, to do this in a slightly more athletic era is what impresses me.

Fixed. Kobe did not lead his team during the three-peat. He was Robin.

He had more win shares in the second title run.

 

[MrSelfDestruct]

Allow me to present a scary thought: We haven't seen LeBron in his prime yet.

I was thinking about that the other day. It's absolutely mind boggling.

 

[Sex Panther]

And for the record, I do agree Lebron is ridiculously skilled, I just think Kobe's on MJ's and Larry Bird's skill level, which is a notch above.

One can make a case that Kobe is the most skiller player ever. In terms of athleticsm Kobe was never close Lebron.

 

[huevonkiller]

I agree. Kobe is actually one of my favourite non-Blazers, because he's amazing to watch play, but he has an "aura of greatness" that extends beyond his actual greatness. Kobe is an inner circle Hall of Famer but has never been as good as James has been the past few years. And now Kobe is actually in his decline phase.



I agree. He should be anyway, but it'll take a few rings to get that kind of recognition. Right from the start, I felt James was the most talented player I'd ever seen in my lifetime with the possible exception of Michael Jordan. If he has a career of good length, he should be in the conversation with players like Jordan, Chamberlain and Robertson as best ever.

I think because of how young he got into the league and without a retirement midway through, he'll probably retire as the best. Many players from the 60's/70's also have an inflated number of minutes played due to different rules.

 

[Sex Panther]

Also, if Lebron can win at least 3 championships, I think he'll go down as the greatest player ever.

 

[Wheels]

LeBron might be the best player I've ever seen, to do this in a slightly more athletic era is what impresses me.




He had more win shares in the second title run.

dude youre alive!!!

 

[MrJayremmie]

LeBron is the best player at his age ever. He is by far the best player in the NBA. And (IMO) will be either the best or 2nd best player of all-time when it is all said and done.

He is seriously that good. Definitely best player i've seen play since MJ in the early to mid 90s.

 

[huevonkiller]

dude youre alive!!!

I'm still alive lol. Thanks man.

 

[Wheels]

Yeah I'm still alive lol. Thanks man.

I seriously thought something happened to you. And then people had "RIP Huevon" stuff, I was saddened. You are one of the Laker fans who are cool, get along with me. Welcome back man!

 

[huevonkiller]

I seriously thought something happened to you. And then people had "RIP Huevon" stuff, I was saddened. You are one of the Laker fans who are cool, get along with me. Welcome back man!

Yeah that was funny, I'm alright. I love the game of basketball so I still read stuff if I have the time.