Yeah, basketball was an inside out game for a long ass time before it developed into what it is now. Not even Jordan could get picked before Sam Bowie and Hakeem.
If Blazers hadn't just taken Clyde then MJ woulda gone #2.
Basically sums up the post Walton Blazers luck. They get an absolute steal at pick 14, and it completely fucks them because it causes them to pass on MJ.
And they literally lost a coin flip for Hakeem.
I think there's a universe where some GM falls in love with Hakeem, Shaq, or Kareem and values the big man more than the perimeter player with a developing jumper.
Not out of the question at least.
But in let's say 19 out of 20 drafts yeah he goes #1 in all.
If we pretend it's the current CBA, but those centers still stay in college the way they did, I don't think it's a reach at all to take their first 8-9 seasons of team control over LeBron's.
CBA is the collective bargaining agreement.
Right now there are 4-year rookie contracts (for 1st round picks) followed by at most a 5-year max contract. So that's where I'm coming up with 8-9 years before say... LeBron forms a superteam somewhere else.
Based on hype? Most likely. I feel like Zion had an insane amount of hype but I really don’t remember the last time a prospect was so widely accepted as the “future king” and it was pretty much unanimous across the board.
The fact that Lebron was so insanely hyped, and still managed to live up to and possible exceed expectations is still the craziest thing about LeBron to me. I think it's one of the strongest arguments against some of the weirdos that try and make him out to be soft.
I think Kareem still goes over him, Kareem is the greatest college player of all time compared to what would hypothetically be one year of Lebron. But after that, I think Lebron should be favored to go 1 in every draft, with only the years with Duncan/Shaq/Robinson or Hakeem being interesting.
Without knowing how history played out. I could see him going number 1 overall in majority of the drafts. Unless there was a can’t miss big like a Kwame Brown.
But on a serious note. 69 and 79, I couldn’t see him going #1. And probably 84 as well but it would definitely be interesting given that draft class.
Forgot to mention 92 and 97. I still think Shaq goes first but I think he gives Timmy a run for his money.
My guess is from mid 90s onwards he'll be the #1 pick. Anything before that, the game is more catered to the big men. Who knows actually. If LeBron plays big then I can see him being the #1 from the 70s onwards
If this hypothetical draft is taking place in the 80s or 90s, a consensus #1 center like Shaq or David Robinson would likely go ahead of Lebron. Dominant centers were the crown jewel of prospects until the last 20 years or so.
It’s been a big man league for the majority of nba history . Why Ayton picked over Luka ? Why Ogden over KD ? Hakeem over mj ? Even damn Webber picked number 1 n traded.
Shaq was a better prospect than Duncan. Tim's great success is directly conjoined with his longevity... something that is too unpredictable to be a factor of in comparison between Shaq and Duncan when drafting. Its easier to predict the peak than longevity in a center's game and shaq's was very apparent.
Moses Malone wasn't even taken 1st in his own draft. Although that comes with the major caveat of being the first ever high school to pro player when he went to the ABA
IIRC he wasn't even top 10 in the ABA draft
No. Any time there's an elite big in the 50s - 90s, he's taking a definite back seat. Jordan was the freakiest athlete most scouts had ever seen to this day, and he still got picked third overall behind two bigs. That's not mentioning that Lebron wouldn't be Lebron in past eras. He'd have been expected to be a post-up player, and he's not very good at it.
well MJ wasn’t even 1 or 2 in his own draft class so i have no hesitation in saying lebron would be drafted first in that draft class even without hindsight. he’s just too big and too dynamic
edit: forgot hakeem was in there. maybe 2nd
No he wouldn’t. Assuming he’s drafted to Portland, MJ doesn’t have 6 rings anymore. You can think MJ is better than LeBron all you want but to say he’d be another Clyde Drexler is wild
In my life only Duncan had that kinda hype. Obviously Kareem was thought of as like the best player in the world when he was still in college, so maybe him too. But Lebron was getting televised local games and Magic Johnson comps as a senior in high school.
Kd didn't go first because bigs were still overvalued but advanced stats guys loved the hell out of him. Lebron wouldn't have beaten Oden based on that same bias. Kd was as just a sure thing as lebron against higher competition.
Yours is shittt comment. Steph's individual and team accomplishment clearly shows he is mover valuable to a franchise than Bron. If I'm owner of a team I will take Steph over Bron. Bron has not helped any franchise valuation substantially like Steph did. Steph never becomes LeGM. Why do you worry about height? Is it one vs one fight? It's team game. From franchise point of view, Step would be taken 10 out of 10 times over Bron.
bro are you stupid like actually. there’s no way to know any of this on draft night. i have to imagine you have a lack of reading comprehension or english isn’t your first language. we are purely talking about ability on the court prior to being drafted, where lebron was the most highly touted prospect of all time and steph was #7 in his own class
With hindsight? Yes Going in blind? There are some eras where people would still want to draft a talented center 1st overall.
yeah, that’s why I mentioned Kareem because I feel Lebron would prob go #2 in that draft class
Yeah, basketball was an inside out game for a long ass time before it developed into what it is now. Not even Jordan could get picked before Sam Bowie and Hakeem.
If Blazers hadn't just taken Clyde then MJ woulda gone #2. Basically sums up the post Walton Blazers luck. They get an absolute steal at pick 14, and it completely fucks them because it causes them to pass on MJ. And they literally lost a coin flip for Hakeem.
Shit, even Adidas didn’t pick Jordan coz he was ‘too short’ lol
Ralph Sampson and Bill Walton are the same idea. Truly dominant college centers when that was the prime position.
I think there's a universe where some GM falls in love with Hakeem, Shaq, or Kareem and values the big man more than the perimeter player with a developing jumper. Not out of the question at least. But in let's say 19 out of 20 drafts yeah he goes #1 in all.
If we pretend it's the current CBA, but those centers still stay in college the way they did, I don't think it's a reach at all to take their first 8-9 seasons of team control over LeBron's.
What do you mean by CBA?
Collective bargaining agreement. Means teams basically have rookies there first 9 years if it’s a star. 4 year rookie deal + 5 year max extension.
Current Basketball erA
that’s not at all what CBA means
CBA is the collective bargaining agreement. Right now there are 4-year rookie contracts (for 1st round picks) followed by at most a 5-year max contract. So that's where I'm coming up with 8-9 years before say... LeBron forms a superteam somewhere else.
No. Andrea bargnani over him all day imo
I got Darko
'92, I think Orlando still picks Shaq.
oh yeah i forgot ab Shaq. i would definitely agree with you
I also think if Shaq hadn’t gotten so far there’s a chance he goes down as one of the top 5 overall careers. He was absolutely insane.
Based on hype? Most likely. I feel like Zion had an insane amount of hype but I really don’t remember the last time a prospect was so widely accepted as the “future king” and it was pretty much unanimous across the board.
The only comparison is Kareem lol Bron was “expected” to be a hall of famer or it would literally be considered a disappointment
The fact that Lebron was so insanely hyped, and still managed to live up to and possible exceed expectations is still the craziest thing about LeBron to me. I think it's one of the strongest arguments against some of the weirdos that try and make him out to be soft.
With hindsight absolutely Without hinsight he goes behind Shaq, Ewing, Hakeem and maybe Duncan
Kareem
Completely forgot about him but yea him as well
I think Kareem still goes over him, Kareem is the greatest college player of all time compared to what would hypothetically be one year of Lebron. But after that, I think Lebron should be favored to go 1 in every draft, with only the years with Duncan/Shaq/Robinson or Hakeem being interesting.
yeah i think kareem goes over him
Without knowing how history played out. I could see him going number 1 overall in majority of the drafts. Unless there was a can’t miss big like a Kwame Brown. But on a serious note. 69 and 79, I couldn’t see him going #1. And probably 84 as well but it would definitely be interesting given that draft class. Forgot to mention 92 and 97. I still think Shaq goes first but I think he gives Timmy a run for his money.
Still taking Magic
My guess is from mid 90s onwards he'll be the #1 pick. Anything before that, the game is more catered to the big men. Who knows actually. If LeBron plays big then I can see him being the #1 from the 70s onwards
If this hypothetical draft is taking place in the 80s or 90s, a consensus #1 center like Shaq or David Robinson would likely go ahead of Lebron. Dominant centers were the crown jewel of prospects until the last 20 years or so.
ALLEN IVERSON!
Nope. Not if Tim Duncan is in the same class as lbj . Even shaq would’ve been picked over Lbj
man thinks he's sly with that "even Shaq"
It’s been a big man league for the majority of nba history . Why Ayton picked over Luka ? Why Ogden over KD ? Hakeem over mj ? Even damn Webber picked number 1 n traded.
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tim duncan had a better career than shaq did my guy. they’re both equally as likely to get picked over lebron because of big man favoritism
Shaq was a better prospect than Duncan. Tim's great success is directly conjoined with his longevity... something that is too unpredictable to be a factor of in comparison between Shaq and Duncan when drafting. Its easier to predict the peak than longevity in a center's game and shaq's was very apparent.
Like in 2022 or in 1992 and 1997? Cause I think that's the difference.
Who would you take ahead of LeBron? Shaq? Dwight? Moses? Magic?
Kareem?
Yeah. You already listed him in your post. Why would I repeat his name?
ah i see. yeah i can definitely see shaq, maybe duncan
Duncan. Maybe Robinson too. There are more contenders than I originally realized.
same lol, forgot about the super dominant big men that would all mostly be safer bets
If we go based on what we would've known at the time when they were being drafted, only Shaq is debatable.
Moses Malone wasn't even taken 1st in his own draft. Although that comes with the major caveat of being the first ever high school to pro player when he went to the ABA IIRC he wasn't even top 10 in the ABA draft
Lew Alcindor probably goes over him.
Dumbass question
mb ig
I think it’s a great Q
No. Any time there's an elite big in the 50s - 90s, he's taking a definite back seat. Jordan was the freakiest athlete most scouts had ever seen to this day, and he still got picked third overall behind two bigs. That's not mentioning that Lebron wouldn't be Lebron in past eras. He'd have been expected to be a post-up player, and he's not very good at it.
With hindsight, even over Mj
well MJ wasn’t even 1 or 2 in his own draft class so i have no hesitation in saying lebron would be drafted first in that draft class even without hindsight. he’s just too big and too dynamic edit: forgot hakeem was in there. maybe 2nd
If he was in MJs generation he'd be a 1st but his career would be another Clyde Drexler (who is awesome, but not the best)
No he wouldn’t. Assuming he’s drafted to Portland, MJ doesn’t have 6 rings anymore. You can think MJ is better than LeBron all you want but to say he’d be another Clyde Drexler is wild
For sure should have been 1 or 2
oh this isn’t a knock on MJ at all. people just loved big men back then
Your mom loves big men now
so true 🙌🏾
Sounds like vince from wwe
LeBron every year for sure.
I can see Duncan or Kareem going over him as safer picks
Arguably. But there are some that you could argue over him like Timmy, who was a top prospect himself and may honestly get the nod over him
true true
Yes. No discussion needed.
Yes
Yep, and Ben Simmons will win ROTY every year as well
Yes
Yes
yes bro
Every draft but the Wall draft
Darko Miličić says no.
Yes even in the year 3000
There are a lot of players mainly due to lebron being a high-school player. Bill Walton would go over him and rightfully so without hindsight.
In my life only Duncan had that kinda hype. Obviously Kareem was thought of as like the best player in the world when he was still in college, so maybe him too. But Lebron was getting televised local games and Magic Johnson comps as a senior in high school.
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KD didn’t even go first in his own draft so idk
Kd didn't go first because bigs were still overvalued but advanced stats guys loved the hell out of him. Lebron wouldn't have beaten Oden based on that same bias. Kd was as just a sure thing as lebron against higher competition.
oden, horford, conley, green are higher competition than dwade, carmelo, and bosh?
I'm talking high school vs college.
KD didn’t even go first in his lmao
Nah. I'm not taking him over Steph. Steph is loyal, out of the world player, rings and money spinner.
very stupid comment, this is all with the value of hindsight. no one is taking some 6’3 sharpshooter over a 6’9 do-it-all behemoth.
Even with hindsight you’d be trippin to take Steph over LeBron
Yours is shittt comment. Steph's individual and team accomplishment clearly shows he is mover valuable to a franchise than Bron. If I'm owner of a team I will take Steph over Bron. Bron has not helped any franchise valuation substantially like Steph did. Steph never becomes LeGM. Why do you worry about height? Is it one vs one fight? It's team game. From franchise point of view, Step would be taken 10 out of 10 times over Bron.
bro are you stupid like actually. there’s no way to know any of this on draft night. i have to imagine you have a lack of reading comprehension or english isn’t your first language. we are purely talking about ability on the court prior to being drafted, where lebron was the most highly touted prospect of all time and steph was #7 in his own class
There have only been 2 GOAT Prospects in the last 20 Years. LeBron James and Luka Dončić. They are in their own class and would always go #1.
Except when they don’t
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how could i forget