A Comparison MJ, King James, Kobe
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by user Willf123
Listed below are the points, rebounds, and assists totals per game for three players in their first four years in the NBA.
pts asst reb 26.7 6.4 6.7 15.9 3.0 4.0 34.1 5.5 5.8
Any idea who the players are? I will give you a hint.....Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan. At that point in his career the 24 year old Jordan's teams were a combined 158-170 regular season and coming off a loss in five game to the Pistons in the Eastern Conference semis. Kobe Bryant was a year younger than James at all of 21. His teams were a combined 214-81 and he won his first NBA title in his 4th year. Lebron's Cavs finished this season with an identical 50-32 record as last year, a year in which the Cavs lost in the Eastern Conference semifinals in 7 games to Detroit. His teams have garnered a 177-151 record in the last 4 years.
I would compare Lebron's situation more with that of Jordan. Michael did not acquire his sidekick Scottie Pippen until that 4th year, Pippen's rookie season. He would win his 1st title 3 years later once Pippen became established an Phil Jackson had taken over the coaching duties from Doug Collins. Kobe on the other hand benefitted from having an in his prime Shaquille O'Neal and Phil Jackson. As the stats clearly show above Jordan and James were clearly the alpha dogs of their respective teams while Kobe had just broken the 20 point barrier at 22.5 in his 4th year.
Sportswriters and fans seem to lose perspective as time goes on. If James leads his Cavs to the Finals all the stories out there claiming that he is an underachiever will give way to stories saying that he is on his way to being the greatest player ever etc. The real story lies somewhere between. Anyway you view it, don't mistake this, the man is an excellent player who barring injury will someday be in the hall of fame.
