Comparing LeBron’s Rings to the Winningest Players in NBA History – LeBron’s four championship rings place him among the most successful players in NBA history. He is in company with players like Bill Russell and his extraordinary 11 championships with the Boston Celtics.
Player | No. of Rings | Years Won | Teams Won With |
Bill Russell | 11 | 1957, 1959-1969 | Boston Celtics |
Sam Jones | 10 | 1959-1966, 1968-1969 | Boston Celtics |
Robert Horry | 7 | 1994-1995, 2000-2002, 2005, 2007 | Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs |
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 6 | 1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988 | Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers |
Michael Jordan | 6 | 1991-1993, 1996-1998 | Chicago Bulls |
Scottie Pippen | 6 | 1991-1993, 1996-1998 | Chicago Bulls |
Magic Johnson | 5 | 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987-1988 | Los Angeles Lakers |
Tim Duncan | 5 | 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014 | San Antonio Spurs |
Kobe Bryant | 5 | 2000-2002, 2009-2010 | Los Angeles Lakers |
LeBron James | 4 | 2012, 2013, 2016, 2020 | Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers |
Contents
- 1 What teams did LeBron get rings with?
- 2 Does LeBron have 5 rings?
- 3 Who is better LeBron or MJ?
- 4 Who is better Steph or LeBron?
- 5 How many NBA rings does Michael Jordan have?
- 6 How has 8 rings in the NBA?
- 7 Is Curry better than Jordan?
- 8 How many rings does Stephen Curry have?
Who has the most rings Curry or LeBron?
The fifth postseason duel between Stephen Curry and LeBron James is one of the top storylines of these NBA Playoffs. Lakers Head Coach Darvin Ham coined Curry vs. James “the best rivalry of this generation,” and in a similar vein, Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr compared Curry vs.
James to Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird, saying: “No doubt this last decade they have been two of the greatest and they’ve had a lot of meetings in the postseason. I think there’s a lot of mutual respect there, but just like Magic and Bird, back in the day, you meet in the playoffs, and that respect kind of takes a back seat.
Guys are trying to beat each other and they’re going to do anything to do so. It’s wonderful for basketball fans, amazing for the league. Just to have two all-time greats at the peak of their powers for almost an entire decade playing against each other frequently.
Pretty, pretty awesome rivalry.” Drafted at 18 years old out of high school in 2003, LeBron James had a head start on Stephen Curry. James made his first All-Star team, went to his first NBA Finals, and won his first MVP before Curry was drafted. In the season that Curry made his first All-Star team, James already was a four-time MVP, two-time NBA Champion and two-time Finals MVP.
The 2014-15 season planted the seed for what would become the rivalry between Curry and James. Curry won his first MVP and Championship in the 2014-15 season, defeating James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. The Warriors and Cavaliers would meet in four consecutive Finals from 2015 through 2018, with Curry’s Warriors coming out on top in three of those head-to-head series.
- Curry was also named the league’s first unanimous MVP in the 2015-16 season, but James and the Cavaliers won the championship that season, overcoming a 3-1 NBA Finals deficit for the first time in league history.
- Eleven of the last 12 NBA Finals have featured either Stephen Curry, LeBron James, or both players.
James (10) and Curry (6) have combined for 16 Finals appearances, eight championships (four each), six MVPs (four for James; two for Curry) and three scoring titles (Curry two; James one). Stephen Curry appreciates the ability for he and James to compete again on the playoff stage, saying: “You have to reflect on everything that we’ve all gone through since the ’15 Finals, and just appreciate the opportunity to have another chapter in that battle and that competition.” Curry did acknowledge that there is a different vibe to this matchup, their first in a non-NBA Finals series.
“It’s a different feel just based on how the Lakers play versus the old Cavs teams, and even just a different style that he’s playing a little bit But there is a reflection of how awesome and special this battle is; and the fact that we get to do it again, you know, we want to come out on top and it’s going to be a fun series all the way around.
But there is a moment of reflection, for sure, just how cool this is, all these years later.”
What teams did LeBron get rings with?
“LeBron” redirects here. For his son LeBron James Jr., see Bronny James, For other people with the name, see Lebrón,
James with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||
No.23 – Los Angeles Lakers | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Position | Small forward / Power forward | ||||||||||||||||||||
League | NBA | ||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||
Born | December 30, 1984 (age 38) Akron, Ohio, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Listed weight | 250 lb (113 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||||||||||||
High school | St. Vincent–St. Mary (Akron, Ohio) | ||||||||||||||||||||
NBA draft | 2003 : 1st round, 1st overall pick | ||||||||||||||||||||
Selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers | |||||||||||||||||||||
Playing career | 2003–present | ||||||||||||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||||||||||||
2003 – 2010 | Cleveland Cavaliers | ||||||||||||||||||||
2010 – 2014 | Miami Heat | ||||||||||||||||||||
2014 – 2018 | Cleveland Cavaliers | ||||||||||||||||||||
2018 –present | Los Angeles Lakers | ||||||||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Stats at NBA.com | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |||||||||||||||||||||
Medals
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/td>
LeBron Raymone James Sr. ( lə- BRON ; born December 30, 1984), also known as LBJ, is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed ” King James “, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport and is often compared to Michael Jordan in debates over the greatest basketball player of all time.
- James is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history and ranks fourth in career assists,
- He has won four NBA championships (two with the Miami Heat, one each with the Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers ), and has competed in 10 NBA Finals,
- He has also won four Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards, four Finals MVP Awards, and two Olympic gold medals, and has been named an All-Star 19 times, selected to the All-NBA Team 19 times (including 13 First Team selections) and the All-Defensive Team six times, and was a runner-up for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award twice in his career.
James grew up playing basketball for St. Vincent–St. Mary High School in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, He was heavily touted by the national media as a future NBA superstar for his all-around scoring, passing, athleticism and playmaking abilities. A prep-to-pro, he was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the first overall pick of the 2003 NBA draft,
Named the 2004 NBA Rookie of the Year, he soon established himself as one of the league’s premier players, leading the Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals appearance in 2007 and winning the NBA MVP award in 2009 and 2010. After failing to win a championship with Cleveland, James left in 2010 as a free agent to join the Miami Heat ; this was announced in a nationally televised special titled The Decision and is among the most controversial free agency moves in sports history.
James won his first two NBA championships while playing for the Heat in 2012 and 2013 ; in both of these years, he also earned the league’s MVP and Finals MVP awards. After his fourth season with the Heat in 2014, James opted out of his contract and re-signed with the Cavaliers.
In 2016, he led the Cavaliers to victory over the Golden State Warriors in the Finals by coming back from a 3–1 deficit, delivering the team’s first championship and ending the Cleveland sports curse, In 2018, James exercised his contract option to leave the Cavaliers and signed with the Lakers, where he won the 2020 NBA championship and his fourth Finals MVP.
James is the first player in NBA history to accumulate $1 billion in earnings as an active player. On February 7, 2023, James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the all-time leading scorer in NBA history, Off the court, James has accumulated more wealth and fame from numerous endorsement contracts.
- He has been featured in books, documentaries (including winning three Sports Emmy Awards as an executive producer), and television commercials.
- He has won 20 ESPY Awards, hosted Saturday Night Live, and starred in the sports film Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021).
- James has been a part-owner of Liverpool F.C.
since 2011 and leads the LeBron James Family Foundation, which has opened an elementary school, housing complex, retail plaza, and medical center in Akron.
Does LeBron have 5 rings?
Lebron has 4 rings. Lebron has been to 10 NBA finals.
Who has the most NBA?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Bill Russell won 11 championships with the Boston Celtics, an NBA record. The following is a list of National Basketball Association (NBA) players who won the most championships as a player. The NBA is a major professional basketball league in North America.
- It was founded in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America (BAA).
- The league adopted its current name at the start of the 1949–50 season when it merged with the National Basketball League (NBL).
- The NBA Finals is the championship series for the NBA and the conclusion of the sport’s postseason,
- The winning team of the series receives the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy,
Players from the winning team usually receive championship rings from the team honoring their contribution, with “rings” becoming shorthand for championships. However, in some rare occasion, the teams opted to give other commemorative items, such as wrist watches, instead of rings.
- The number of championships won by NBA superstars is often used as a measurement of their greatness.
- Though this has been subject to criticism and debate with some arguing that is a misconception and that championships matter less overall in the measure of a players greatness as many great players have played on teams that were considered weak or failed to meet the status of a contender despite having a great player.
And many players considered below average have played on strong teams that won championships consistently and were consistently contenders. Boston Celtics center Bill Russell holds the record for the most NBA championships won with 11 titles during his 13-year playing career.
- He won his first championship with the Boston Celtics in his rookie year,
- Afterwards, he went on to win ten championships in the next 12 years, including eight consecutive championships from 1959 to 1966,
- He won the last two championships in 1968 and 1969 as player-coach,
- Russell’s teammate, Sam Jones, won ten championships from 1959 to 1969, the second most in NBA history.
Four Celtics players, Tom Heinsohn, K.C. Jones, Satch Sanders and John Havlicek, won eight championships each, with Havlicek being the only one to win championships independently of Russell. Two other Celtics, Jim Loscutoff and Frank Ramsey, won seven championships each.
- Robert Horry also won seven championships (with three teams).
- Four players, Bob Cousy, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, won six championships each.
- Jordan and Pippen are members of the Chicago Bulls team who won three consecutive championships twice in the 1990s.
- George Mikan won two championships in the NBL before it merged with the BAA to form the NBA, and won five championships in the NBA.
Magic Johnson won five championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s. Robert Horry, John Salley, LeBron James and Danny Green are the only players to have won championships with three different teams. Horry won seven championships: two with the Houston Rockets, three with the Los Angeles Lakers and another two with San Antonio Spurs,
- Salley’s four NBA titles came via two championships with the Detroit Pistons and one each with the Bulls and the Lakers.
- Horry is also the only non-Celtic to win more than six times.
- Frank Saul, Steve Kerr, Patrick McCaw, Danny Green and Chris Boucher are the only players to win two championships with two different teams in consecutive seasons.
Saul won consecutive championships with the Rochester Royals and the Minneapolis Lakers in the 1950s, Kerr won consecutive championships with the Bulls and the Spurs in the 1990s, McCaw and Boucher with the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors in 2018 and 2019, and Green with the Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers in 2019 and 2020.
Who is better LeBron or MJ?
So, Who is the Greatest of All Time (GOAT)? – Analyzing and scrutinizing Michael Jordan and LeBron James’ careers? It’s hard to decide who’s the GOAT. Both were exceptional: Jordan won six championships, five MVPs, and ten scoring titles. Meanwhile, LeBron captured four championships, four MVPs, and four Finals MVPs with three teams, while also becoming all-time leading scorer in 2023.
Rules and opponents changed between the two, making it hard to pick one. But they impacted the world beyond the court too. They became cultural icons, inspiring millions. It’s clear that both athletes left legacies on- and off-court. Who’s the GOAT? Everyone has their opinion. But celebrating greatness and acknowledging each player’s accomplishments is the most important thing.
One story stands out. A young fan asked LeBron who was better – him or MJ? LeBron said he always respected Jordan. Both had different paths. He said not to worry about following someone else’s footsteps. Success is not just about numbers – it’s about the journey too.
Who is better Steph or LeBron?
LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry: Accolades and awards – The way in which the accolades of James and Curry measure up is fascinating. The two have the same amount of championships and Curry has one more scoring title, but James’ longevity and durability are on display in most other key categories.
As it stands, James has more than twice as many All-Star and All-NBA selections as Curry. For context, James came into the league six years before Curry, who also dealt with his fair share of injury setbacks before making the All-NBA leap in his fifth season. James has been named to an All-NBA team in each year outside of his rookie campaign.
James also has the advantage in the MVP category — his four league MVPs outmatch Curry’s two and in the Finals, James has won MVP honors in each of his wins while Curry has won Finals MVP just once.
LeBron | Accolades | Curry |
4 | Championships | 4 |
4 | MVPs | 2 |
4 | Finals MVPs | 1 |
18 | All-NBA | 8 |
6 | All-Defense | |
19 | All-Star | 9 |
1 | Scoring titles | 2 |
LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry stats: Comparing career rings, MVPs, scoring titles & more to know
How many NBA rings does Michael Jordan have?
Jordan in April 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Born | February 17, 1963 (age 60) New York City, New York, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||
Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | |||||||||||||||||
Listed weight | 216 lb (98 kg) | |||||||||||||||||
Career information | ||||||||||||||||||
High school | Emsley A. Laney ( Wilmington, North Carolina ) | |||||||||||||||||
College | North Carolina (1981–1984) | |||||||||||||||||
NBA draft | 1984 : 1st round, 3rd overall pick | |||||||||||||||||
Selected by the Chicago Bulls | ||||||||||||||||||
Playing career | 1984–1993, 1995–1998, 2001–2003 | |||||||||||||||||
Position | Shooting guard / small forward | |||||||||||||||||
Number | 23, 12, 45 | |||||||||||||||||
Career history | ||||||||||||||||||
1984 – 1993, 1995 – 1998 | Chicago Bulls | |||||||||||||||||
2001 – 2003 | Washington Wizards | |||||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||||||||
|
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Career NBA statistics | ||||||||||||||||||
Points | 32,292 (30.1 ppg) | |||||||||||||||||
Rebounds | 6,672 (6.2 rpg) | |||||||||||||||||
Assists | 5,633 (5.3 apg) | |||||||||||||||||
Stats at NBA.com | ||||||||||||||||||
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | ||||||||||||||||||
Basketball Hall of Fame as player | ||||||||||||||||||
FIBA Hall of Fame as player | ||||||||||||||||||
Medals
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/td>
Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963), also known by his initials MJ, is an American former professional basketball player and businessman. The official National Basketball Association (NBA) website states: “By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time.” He played fifteen seasons in the NBA, winning six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls,
- He was integral in popularizing the sport of basketball and the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s, becoming a global cultural icon,
- Jordan played college basketball for three seasons under coach Dean Smith with the North Carolina Tar Heels,
- As a freshman, he was a member of the Tar Heels’ national championship team in 1982,
Jordan joined the Bulls in 1984 as the third overall draft pick and quickly emerged as a league star, entertaining crowds with his prolific scoring while gaining a reputation as one of the game’s best defensive players. His leaping ability, demonstrated by performing slam dunks from the free-throw line in Slam Dunk Contests, earned him the nicknames ” Air Jordan ” and ” His Airness “.
Jordan won his first NBA title with the Bulls in 1991 and followed that achievement with titles in 1992 and 1993, securing a three-peat, Jordan abruptly retired from basketball before the 1993–94 NBA season to play Minor League Baseball but returned to the Bulls in March 1995 and led them to three more championships in 1996, 1997, and 1998, as well as a then-record 72 regular season wins in the 1995–96 NBA season,
He retired for the second time in January 1999 but returned for two more NBA seasons from 2001 to 2003 as a member of the Washington Wizards, During the course of his professional career, he was also selected to play for the United States national team, winning four gold medals —at the 1983 Pan American Games, 1984 Summer Olympics, 1992 Tournament of the Americas and 1992 Summer Olympics —while also being undefeated.
Jordan’s individual accolades and accomplishments include six NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, ten NBA scoring titles (both all-time records), five NBA MVP awards, ten All-NBA First Team designations, nine All-Defensive First Team honors, fourteen NBA All-Star Game selections, three NBA All-Star Game MVP awards, three NBA steals titles, and the 1988 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award,
He holds the NBA records for career regular season scoring average (30.1 points per game) and career playoff scoring average (33.4 points per game). In 1999, he was named the 20th century’s greatest North American athlete by ESPN and was second to Babe Ruth on the Associated Press ‘ list of athletes of the century.
- Jordan was twice inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, once in 2009 for his individual career, and again in 2010 as part of the 1992 United States men’s Olympic basketball team (“The Dream Team”).
- He became a member of the United States Olympic Hall of Fame in 2009, a member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2010, and an individual member of the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2015 and a “Dream Team” member in 2017.
In 2021, he was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, One of the most effectively marketed athletes of his generation, Jordan is known for his product endorsements. He fueled the success of Nike ‘s Air Jordan sneakers, which were introduced in 1984 and remain popular today.
He starred as himself in the live-action/animation hybrid film Space Jam (1996) and was the central focus of the Emmy -winning documentary series The Last Dance (2020). He became part-owner and head of basketball operations for the Charlotte Hornets (then named the Bobcats) in 2006 and bought a controlling interest in 2010, before selling his majority stake in 2023, and he is also the owner of 23XI Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series,
In 2016, he became the first billionaire player in NBA history. That year, President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, As of 2023, his net worth is estimated at $2 billion.
Who was LeBron’s first ring against?
LeBron James and Miami defeated Oklahoma City in five games to win the title in 2012.
How many Finals LeBron lost?
LeBron James has been beaten 33 times in the NBA Finals in his career.
NAME | SERIES | L |
---|---|---|
LeBron James | NBA Finals | 33 |
How has 8 rings in the NBA?
Tom Heinsohn, K.C. Jones, Tom Sanders, John Havlicek: 8 NBA Championships – This group was also a part of the successful Celtics, earning eight rings during their time with the team. Heinsohn was a forward who contributed immediately after being drafted,
- He was a high scorer who earned double figures during all nine years of his NBA career.
- Havlicek is THE leading scorer for the Celticsof all time,
- He played as forward and guard and it was that versatility that made him so valuable to the team.
- In fact, it’s his steal to clinch the series against the Sixers in the 70s which is regarded as one of the greatest moments in NBA history.
Jones was one of those players whose stats don’t look impressive from the outside, but still contributed enough on offense and defense to win eight rings in nine seasons. Tom “Satch” Sanders was with the Celtics for 13 seasons, and was known for his defense and rebounds.
Can LeBron play 1 5?
This is incredible, but is it true? – James is one of the most versatile players in league history because of his size and skill, but knowing how every position functions is at another level. There’s a reason this is difficult. While teams don’t run specific plays every possession, they do have repeatable motions each player at each position is supposed to make and different spots they should move and stand.
For James to know all of those would make him the ultimate Swiss Army knife. We’ve seen this aptitude in action. That’s how James is able to make passes like this. And this. We’ve also seen James switch from being the screener in the pick-and-roll to delivering pristine dimes to cutters and shooters on the same possession.
We’ve seen James play both forward positions, both guard positions, and even play a bit at center throughout his career. That’s why his former coach Erik Spoelstra coined the nickname for the do-it-all superstar. James does great things at every position, and Spoelstra recognized that early.
Who has a lot of rings in NBA?
Which team has the most NBA championships? – Boston Celtics center Bill Russell has the most NBA championships won. The retired player won his first championship with the Boston Celtics in his rookie year. Bill bagged 11 titles during his 13-year playing career.
Who is the top 1 in NBA history?
# | PLAYER | PTS |
---|---|---|
1 | LeBron James | 8023 |
2 | Michael Jordan | 5987 |
3 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 5762 |
4 | Kobe Bryant | 5640 |
Who is number 1 in NBA history?
1. | LeBron James | 8023 |
---|---|---|
2. | Michael Jordan | 5987 |
3. | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 5762 |
4. | Kobe Bryant | 5640 |
5. | Shaquille O’Neal | 5250 |
Is NBA the most popular?
How Popular is the NBA Outside North America? – Sports India Show The National Basketball Association (NBA) is one of the most popular sports leagues in the world, and it has a huge following in North America. However, the league’s popularity extends beyond the borders of the United States and Canada. In this article, we will explore how popular the NBA is outside North America.
Who is the goat in the NBA right now?
Michael Jordan tops the GOAT list once again via The Athletic. – With the 2022-23 NBA season shifting to the playoffs, the postseason awards are starting to roll out as are the anonymous player polls. Each year, the NBA polls players about who they believe are the best players in the league now and in the past in certain categories.
- And a big winner this year was Michael Jordan.
- The Athletic put together the survey with 103 players in the league, asking them who they think the greatest of all time is.
- The winner was Michael Jordan who received 58.3 percent of the vote, beating out LeBron James at 33 percent and the late Kobe Bryant at 6.8 percent.
Michael Jordan continues to lead the GOAT race. It’s no surprise that he continues to cast a shadow over everyone else. He’s still a legend. “M.J., for sure,” a player said. “Definitely 6-for-6 (in the Finals) is a big thing for me. But the way I look at basketball is (it’s) about the winning, and if I feel like I need (somebody) to go win me a game, I’m picking M.J.
- Over everybody.
- I’d pick) whoever is going to carry me through a series, carry me through the playoffs, and is setting the tone.
- I think M.J.
- Checks all those boxes.” Here’s the thing though, LeBron James has closed the gap since the last poll four years ago.
- In that poll, Michael Jordan took the top spot with 73.0 percent of the vote, while James had 11.9 percent in second place.
A big reason for that could be James winning another title and becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Will Jordan hold the spot in four more years? Stay tuned.
Is LeBron greatest of all time?
Troy Allen, Staff Reporter March 20, 2023 Feb.7, 2023, is a date that longtime NBA fans will remember for years. In a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Lakers forward LeBron James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record for the most points all-time in NBA history. James dropped an efficient 38 points and seven rebounds while shooting 65% from the field, 66.7% from three and 80% from the free throw line to pass Abdul-Jabbar’s record.
- The 4x MVP currently has 38,450 all-time points and counting.
- To pass a record of that magnitude while being considered a “pass-first” player speaks volumes to James’ all-around ability.
- Many basketball fans across the world speculate about who’s the greatest player of all time or simply, who is the GOAT? Although James’ phenomenal record indicates his career longevity, he became the greatest player of all time long before he passed Abdul-Jabbar.
Seven years ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers famously overcame a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the Golden State Warriors and win their first-ever title in team history. This series made James the greatest player of all time. The way he impacted the game on both sides of the court during this series while maintaining excellent efficiency is something the NBA will never see again.
Although Michael Jordan’s resume is extensive as well, I believe the pure dominance of James in the 2016 Finals puts him over the top. No player in NBA history had to overcome what James did in the finals. Prior to 2016, all teams that held a 3-1 in the finals went on to win the series. His performance was truly an amazing feat for any player, during any era.
For context, Warriors guard Stephen Curry won unanimous MVP that season with a league-leading 30.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game. Curry also made 402 threes on the season, a record. The MVP topped the league in steals per game with 2.1.
Warriors guard Klay Thompson averaged 22.1 points per game and hit 42.5% from three on 8.1 attempts that season. Draymond Green finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting and hit a career-high 38.8% from three in 2016. This powerhouse club also won 73 games, breaking Michael Jordan’s 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls record of 72.
The 2016 Warriors started 24-0 – the current NBA record. James won Finals MVP with averages of 29.7 points per game, 11.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists while shooting 49.4% from the field; his statistical achievements don’t stop there. Yumi Domangue In the series’ last three games, James averaged 36.3 points per game, 11.7 rebounds and 9.7 assists per game. He also shot 50.6% from the field and 42.1% from three. In that stretch, he averaged three steals and three blocks per game on the defensive end.
James dropped 41 points in back-to-back elimination games during this period, becoming the first-ever NBA player to do so. Continuing his statistical feats, the 4x NBA Champion became the first-ever player to lead both teams in every primary stat (points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals) during the series.
Lebron James: 4 Rings in 4 Minutes
One counterargument people have against LeBron is his finals record, which sits at 4-6. However, there is much needed context that can be absent during debates. James’ first finals loss came against a dynasty San Antonio Spurs team that consisted of power forward Tim Duncan, point guard Tony Parker and shooting guard Manu Ginóbili – and they were coached by the great Gregg Popovich.
The Spurs won 58 games and had the second ranked defense. Their net rating of +9.3 led the entire league in 2007. This is the team that James had to face in the NBA Finals at just 22 years old. In 22 total finals games versus the Golden State Warriors, James averaged 33 points per game, 11.5 rebounds, and 9.3 assists per game.
In both the 2017 and 2018 finals, James had to face the Warriors alongside future hall of famer Kevin Durant with little to no help. During the 2018 playoff run, the only other teammate that averaged double-figures was power forward Kevin Love. He averaged 14.9 points per game and 10.2 rebounds during their run; however, he shot just 39.2% from the field.
- Both finals matchups are well known for being extremely lopsided.
- This is the same case as the 2015 postseason, in which point guard Kyrie Irving broke his knee cap and Love suffered a shoulder injury versus the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.
- Irving and Love’s injuries kept them out for the remainder of the postseason, thus leaving James as the lone all-star.
Down his two stars, James still took a 2-1 series lead over the 67 win GSW. He capped off game three with 40 points, 12 boards, eight dimes and four steals. He dropped 14 points in the fourth quarter while shooting 7-8 (87.5%) from the free throw line.
The Cavaliers would eventually lose the series in six games. James finished the finals with averages of 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game. Despite his amazing performance, one man can only do so much. From a pure basketball standpoint, James is the better rebounder, passer and playmaker.
Not only that, but his scoring production and efficiency are neck and neck with that of Jordan. Everything James has done since 2016 has merely been the icing on a well-baked cake. The kid from Akron is showing no signs of slowing down, as he’s averaging a healthy 29.5 ppg, 8.4 rpg and 6.9 apg in season number 20.
Who do NBA players say is the goat?
Michael Jordan takes the cake in this round. According to an anonymous player poll done by The Athletic, 58.3 percent of the 103 players polled believe Michael Jordan is the greatest player of all time. His vote count supersedes that of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Bill Russell and Tracy McGrady.
- However, more players in today’s era are starting to come around to James.
- Four years ago, The Athletic conducted the same poll for then-active players.
- The results had Jordan as the GOAT for 73 percent of those polled.
- The gap is closing for James, who set the mark for the most career points in NBA history earlier this season.
He surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabar and could close in on 40,000 points by the time he retires from the NBA. About a week ago, Mike Greenberg made his case for Jordan on The Pat McAfee Show, saying Jordan would average 40 points per contest in today’s era.
Who averages more Kobe or LeBron?
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports Kobe Bryant is one of the best scorers the NBA has ever seen, but can he rack up points like the ever-efficient LeBron James ? As one of just five members in the 30,000-point club, the Black Mamba’s scoring abilities are adorned to no end, and rightfully so.
- Even at 34 years old, he has proven to be the type of scorer who can rattle off 40-point performances with a flick of the wrist.
- Obe’s accolades and seeming scoring dominance may be impressive, but LeBron’s are often considered better.
- While Bryant’s 27.4 points per game outguns James’ 26.9, the latter has averaged more points a night (27.6) than Kobe (25.5) on his career.
However, the manner in which they have done it is a better indicator of their potency as scorers than the actual point total. LeBron has been asked to assume more of a point forward role his entire career. That responsibility as a facilitator first, scorer second only strengthened when he joined Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat,
- And as the offensive catalyst, his shot totals aren’t as voluminous as Bryant’s.
- James is averaging more shot attempts per game (20.3) for his career than Kobe (19.6), but he has hoisted up 20 or more just five times in the last 10 seasons (including this one).
- Bryant has jacked up more than 20 shots in nine of the last 10 years, all of which have come in succession.
In this instance, the career averages are misleading. Bryant wasn’t as integral a part of the Los Angeles Lakers ‘ game plan upon entering the league as James was to the Cleveland Cavaliers, The Mamba took a combined 8.8 shots a night through his first two seasons, while LeBron was at 22.5.
Over the last decade, though, that trend has been vastly different. Kobe has taken 21.5 shots per game during the last 10 years to the 20.3 of James. Bryant is averaging 28.1 points during that span to The Chosen One’s 27.6. From there, it seems that Kobe has scored slightly more points, while taking slightly more shots, which makes sense.
But where Bryant’s scoring is marked by volume, James’ is fueled by efficiency. Not only is LeBron currently shooting a career-best 56 percent from the field, but he has also converted on 50 percent or more of his attempts from the floor in each of the last four seasons.
- Bryant has never shot 50 percent for the season.
- Hell, he’s never even shot 47 percent.
- Obe is averaging 1.3 points per shot taken over his career, while James is at around 1.35.
- Despite the small difference, it’s clear LeBron’s increased efficiency renders him the more lethal scorer.
- And if you ask Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, he’ll tell you the same ( via Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com): If he was a total pig and only shot the ball and only looked for his opportunities, the sky’s the limit on what he’d score.
He’d put up big, big numbers. He scores so effortlessly. He’s arguably the best scorer who is the facilitator in this game. He’s a facilitator. He thinks the game is trying to get people involved and trying to make the right play. Scoring is so often a second thought to him and he does it as well as anyone in this league.
- Just imagine if James were taking 25 shots a game.
- His scoring would be through the roof, and we wouldn’t have to question whether or not he was more robust of a scorer than Kobe.
- Or would we? I won’t argue that scoring comes effortlessly to LeBron.
- His previous assertion that he could lead the league in scoring if he wanted is spot on, and it’s true that scoring isn’t his primary responsibility.
But that’s not enough. James has taken 20 or more shots 19 times this year. On those 19 occasions, he’s averaging 30.1 points per game. By comparison, Bryant has attempted more than 20 shots 30 times thus far, posting an average of 31.2 points. To put it in an even clearer perspective, both Kobe and LeBron have taken 23 shots four times this year and are averaging 33 and 31.8 points, respectively, on those occasions.
- We can’t refute James’ efficacy from the floor.
- As Wade himself notes, James really is playing out of this world ( via Windhorst ): To put it in some perspective, the best shooting season in Kobe Bryant’s career was 47 percent.
- Evin Durant, rightly regarded by many as the most talented pure scorer in the game at the moment, is currently at a career high of 52 percent this season.
Michael Jordan’s best season was 54 percent. “He’s off the planet,” said Dwyane Wade, who is having the best shooting season of his career at 51 percent and is still eating James’ dust. “He’s not even the best player on the planet. He’s somewhere else right now – the galaxy.” There really isn’t another player like James in the league.
- It’s a common belief that he can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants, and it’s one that I too share—to an extent.
- Going back to Spoelstra’s declaration that James could continue to be as efficient as he is if he were a “pig” is actually a pretty massive assumption.
- There’s no way to guarantee he continues shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc if he’s taking as many three-pointers as Bryant.
Kobe is shooting just 33.1 percent from the behind the rainbow, but he’s attempting 5.4 deep balls a game to James’ 3.3. When you take more shots, you have more opportunities to score, but you also have more chances to miss. In the interest of full disclosure, when James attempts five or more three-pointers, he is converting on just over 41 percent of them, just a smidgen below his season average.
He’s more efficient than Kobe, and therefore, more potent. Except he’s not. LeBron is averaging 28.6 points when he attempts five or more threes. Though that means nothing by itself, it means everything when pitting him against Kobe. Considering that James has attempted no more than eight threes in a single game this season, we must adjust our scope a bit.
Removing the 10 occasions when Kobe hoisted up nine or more threes, he is averaging 28.7 points when taking between five and eight. That’s actually more than James, albeit not so much. But it’s still more. While I’m prepared to admit that James is the more complete and efficient player, I’m not sold on him as the more potent scorer.
Bryant’s field-goal percentages pale in comparison to the King’s, but when you break down the points they score next to the shots they take, they’re really quite similar. Yes, when James has shot more, he has scored more—but not necessarily more than Kobe. Bryant has always taken shots in excess, and his self-restraint (or lack thereof) continues to be criticized.
Thus far this season, though, his point totals when shooting excessively match up or even exceed those of James when he shoots too much. If we could cap the number of shots either player could take per game for the duration of the season, we would have a better idea of who’s truly more powerful a scorer, but we can’t.
- As such, it’s premature to designate James the more potent of the two, especially given how they stand when attempting a similar number of shots.
- And especially when you consider these are the same two guys who have totaled the most points since James entered the league during the 2003-04 campaign: Tom Haberstroh @tomhaberstroh Points leaders since LeBron made his 2003 NBA debut: LeBron 20,309; Kobe 20,223; Melo 17,102; Dirk 17,048; Wade 15,887.
This is not to say James is an inferior player or even scorer. His recent string of offensive production cannot be ignored. It’s not enough to deem him more almighty a scorer either. If anything, it’s a testament to his efficiency as a scorer. But that efficiency isn’t enough to overshadow the cogent effectiveness of Bryant’s volume shooting.
Is Curry better than Jordan?
Comparison of their team success – When it comes to team success, Jordan and Curry are two of the most successful players in NBA history. Jordan led the Bulls to six NBA championships in the span of eight seasons, while Curry has led the Warriors to three NBA championships in the span of five seasons.
- Jordan was the centerpiece of a Bulls dynasty that won three consecutive championships twice, while Curry was the engine that powered a Warriors dynasty that won back-to-back championships and then again in 2018.
- In terms of individual awards and accolades, Jordan has an edge over Curry.
- Jordan was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player five times, was selected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team nine times, and won the NBA scoring title a record ten times.
Curry, on the other hand, was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player twice and was selected to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team once. Overall, Jordan and Curry are two of the most successful players in NBA history, and their team success speaks for itself.
Do LeBron and Curry like each other?
Curry describes his relationship with LeBron as “complex” LeBron James and Stephen Curry were never destined to be BFFs — competing head-to-head in four straight NBA Finals is not conducive to a traditional friendship. But they are friends and have a layered relationship that dates back to LeBron coming to watch Curry and Davidson in the NCAA Tournament.
- Here is on Friday.
- It’s complex because you go from me playing in a tournament and him coming to watch to me coming in as a young rookie in the league and him giving me advice on how to get through some of the early struggles that I was going to go through as a player, to the four Finals appearances in a row playing against each other, to even last year, five, six, seven years later, playing in the playoffs again.
He’s a great dude, great friend, great competitor, all of the above. But it’s amazing to go back and look at where it all started at Ford Field in Detroit during a Sweet 16 game.” Curry and James were born in the same Akron hospital four years apart, and their paths crossed countless times over the years.
- Curry said previously their relationship used to be more of LeBron the mentor, and they would hang out in the offseason and watch Family Guy together.
- However, the relationship evolved as Curry became a competitor for the titles LeBron coveted.
- The relationship got frosty and felt like a rivalry the four years LeBron and Curry competed in the Finals against each other — LeBron blocked a Curry layup late in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals and they had words after it.
However, the relationship appears to have evolved back to respect and friendship in recent years (when they have not gone head-to-head on the NBA’s biggest stage). Their relationship will never be quite the same as when Curry was at Davidson and LeBron wanted to see the phenom shooter up close, but it could be lifelong nonetheless.
How many rings does Curry and LeBron James have?
Stephen Curry is tied with LeBron James with the most championships by an active NBA player. Both have four NBA Championships, with Warriors teammates Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala joining them.
How many rings does LeBron have on Curry?
LeBron James, Steph Curry still doing things they’ve never done in throwback NBA playoffs LeBron James and Steph Curry have four NBA championship rings apiece, with three of Curry’s coming at James’ expense after a matchup in the Finals. James Harden has never won an NBA crown, but he’s a three-time scoring king in the regular season.
Entering this postseason, there was very little the trio had yet to accomplish. Still, each found himself in a situation as an underdog. Barely into the second round, the aging legends each orchestrated a career snapshot that reminded fans their greatness never dissipates. Curry, 35, established an NBA record for any Game 7 with 50 points Sunday in a 120-100 road victory over Sacramento.
It marks a career playoff high. He made 20 of 38 shots and scored 16 points in the fourth quarter. He added eight rebounds and six assists. The Warriors won 11 of 41 road games during the regular season, narrowly missing the play-in tourney as the sixth seed in the Western Conference.
The defending champs won two games in Sacramento in the first round. James, 38, drove to the bucket with Dillon Brooks on his shoulder the whole way and scored while drawing a foul late in a 117-111 victory over Memphis in Game 4 in the first round. He dropped a layup high off the glass, but out of the reach of Jaren Jackson less than 30 seconds later to force overtime with 0.8 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
Brooks said he lacked respect for James, who is old. Lance Stephenson must be too old for Brooks to remember. Don’t wake up a dog, especially if it’s scored more points than anybody in NBA history. He finished with 22 points and 20 rebounds. It marks a career-high for rebounds.
He added seven assists, two blocks and drew a few charging calls on Ja Morant. The Lakers beat Minnesota in overtime in the play-in tourney to claim the seven-seed. Los Angeles was in 13th-place in the West, when James referred to the final 23 games of the regular season as the most important stretch in his career.
Many thought his statements were hyperbolic, but it’s quite possible this does mean more to LeBron because, with a legacy to uphold, it’s more difficult at 38. Yes, that includes playing the the NBA Finals as a kid with Boobie Gibson as your top sidekick.
- Nearly two decades later, Father Time is still an ally.
- James famously works hard to maintain his body, but he was a rather chiseled 6-foot-8 Adonis-like basketball prototype from the time he entered the NBA at 18.
- Curry, however, is 6-2 and weighs 185 pounds.
- He has the same somatotype as me.
- He doesn’t look like an NBA player.
His penchant for playing with his mouthpiece with his teeth and tongue make it seem like he’ll never have to grow up. Conversely, Harden’s Rip Van Winkle impersonation endures. In fact, at 33, the beard didn’t quite establish history, but he did wake up a little to bring us back in time.
- He matched his postseason high with 45 points Monday in a 119-115 victory over top-seed Boston in the first game in the second round in the Eastern Conference.
- He matched a season-high with seven 3-pointers, including a go-ahead dagger with 8.4 seconds remaining.
- He made 17 of 30 shots and added six assists.
He scored 16 points in the first quarter and 15 in the fourth as this season’s NBA regular season scoring leader Joel Embiid missed the game with an injury for the third-seed 76ers. It’s hard to find a less flashy prolific scorer than Harden, unless you think fancy dribbling counts.
The only thing Harden gets above the rim is the ball. James, Curry and Harden are unique in what they do and what they look like doing it. Nobody’s done it like LeBron at his age. Still, James and Curry renew their rivalry in the second round in the West, this iteration more of the Jurassic Park variety.
One of them will play for the conference crown and Embiid could return any game.
Be aware, the Ice Age for Harden, Curry and James appears to be however old they are at the time. [email protected] 419-307-4892 Twitter: @MatthewHornNH
: LeBron James, Steph Curry still doing things they’ve never done in throwback NBA playoffsWill Steph Curry have more rings than LeBron?
Who has more championships LeBron or curry? LeBron James has won more championships than Stephen Curry. LeBron James has won three NBA championships with the Miami Heat in 2012, 2013, and 2016 and four NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
How many rings does Stephen Curry have?
Stephen Curry’s Rings
Player Name | Wardell Stephen ‘Steph’ Curry II |
---|---|
Rings Count | 4 |
Ring Years | 2015, 2017, 2018, 2022 |
Won championships with | Golden State Warriors |
Drafted by | Golden State Warriors |