Is there a current NBA Player that can be as big as MJ, Kobe and Lebron?

[nairdas]

Of the current generation of stars Curry was really the only one that had a chance. He was the only one that really challenged LeBron's reign as THE Nba player in the eyes of the general public. If he capped off that 73-9 season with beating Bron in the Finals he would've got to that level... but he lost to Bron after being up 3-1, and once Durant joined that was it

Zion's really the only one when it comes to the new generation. With the level of hype he's received and that fact that he's lived up to it so far, he's starting off the same way Bron did in 03. If he can keep living up to his enormous hype like he has then he has a chance

100% this. I'm still shytty curry lost in 2016.

 

[FromStLouis]

Celebrity is much different in 2020 than it's maybe ever has been.

I don't think anybody expects another MJ or Kobe, just like no one expects another Michael or Prince.

Somebody can be the first to India, however.

 

[Shadow King]

Giannis and/or Zion

 

[Cladyclad]

This conversation is pre-mature...

History will not be kind to Kobe (carried by Shaq for 3 of his rings and only 1 MVP) -- and history will be equally harsh on Lebron if he retires with an embarssaing Finals record.

Jordan's icon-status has gone unblemished for 30+ years (pre-and-post retirement) with only Kareem having an argument to join his tier -- we'll see if the basketball community allows Kobe & Lebron to share his pedestal 20 years from now when we're no longer prisoners of the moment.

If Magic Johnson can't get into Jordan's tier with all of the goodwill he's built-up for the past 30 years, I don't see how Kobe or Lebron get there either.

My 14 year old niece didn’t recognize MJ when She saw a pic of him. I had to explain who he was.

 

[10bandz]

This conversation is pre-mature...

History will not be kind to Kobe (carried by Shaq for 3 of his rings and only 1 MVP) -- and history will be equally harsh on Lebron if he retires with an embarssaing Finals record.

Jordan's icon-status has gone unblemished for 30+ years (pre-and-post retirement) with only Kareem having an argument to join his tier -- we'll see if the basketball community allows Kobe & Lebron to share his pedestal 20 years from now when we're no longer prisoners of the moment.

If Magic Johnson can't get into Jordan's tier with all of the goodwill he's built-up for the past 30 years, I don't see how Kobe or Lebron get there either.

look at this dumbass y’all

 

[Baka's Weird Case]

Kobe over took him in popularity as the 00s went on but a case could be made AI was more popular than Kobe for a sec.

Let’s not act like AI wasn’t seen as the anti- Kobe
There was a lot of pushback to Kobe for some years

AI was more popular for a while. i was too young then to really know but how well known was he for people who didnt watch basketball?
to me thats what sets apart mj, kobe and lebron if we're talking popularity.

 

[Baka's Weird Case]

This conversation is pre-mature...

History will not be kind to Kobe (carried by Shaq for 3 of his rings and only 1 MVP) -- and history will be equally harsh on Lebron if he retires with an embarssaing Finals record.

Jordan's icon-status has gone unblemished for 30+ years (pre-and-post retirement) with only Kareem having an argument to join his tier -- we'll see if the basketball community allows Kobe & Lebron to share his pedestal 20 years from now when we're no longer prisoners of the moment.

If Magic Johnson can't get into Jordan's tier with all of the goodwill he's built-up for the past 30 years, I don't see how Kobe or Lebron get there either.

he just died in an incredibly tragic helicopter crash that the whole world was mourning
history is going to look back at him as a hero and icon in basketball
will always be the GOAT skill and icon wise, but kobe will be a legend for decades to come

 

[waltthizzney]

zion has zero personality lol

 

[10bandz]

Y’all right curry could’ve been the guy but 2016 + KD joining fukked it up

 

[Art Barr]

They're both on MJ's level, fam. There isn't anything separating the GOATS skill-wise.

you could have never been cognitive.
to watch mj and think either bron or kobe was on mj level.


stop.


art barr

 

[MoneyTron]

Zion is it IMO.

Hope he stays healthy.

 

[MenacingMonk]

he just died in an incredibly tragic helicopter crash that the whole world was mourning
history is going to look back at him as a hero and icon in basketball
will always be the GOAT skill and icon wise, but kobe will be a legend for decades to come

Had to neg dude for that idiotic comment.

 

[Devil Plisken…CMS]

AI was more popular for a while. i was too young then to really know but how well known was he for people who didnt watch basketball?
to me thats what sets apart mj, kobe and lebron if we're talking popularity.

AI was wildly popular with women, people looking to absorb anything related to American culture & hawnkees looking for the next black figure to fear/misconstrue

He was without the doubt the first guy in American sports who was unabashed about looking the part of guy from the hood

 

[UserNameless]

barring injury, Zion. Easily.

yup. It’s Zion and then everyone else at this point.

NBA better hope things continue to pan out for him and I hope they do . He’s also gonna have to get a chip tho .

Zion possibly(I said possibly)... outside of that only time will tell. NBA is in a transitioning period to me. Every major superstar not named Lebron either will never be on that level or will peak as a US megastar at best.

definitely in a transition period .

I will say the internet has made it weird. Lebron was the first High school athlete followed by ESPN. Kobe was one of the first HSer who made the transition into the nba (was the youngest player to ever play in the NBA at one point). And Mike was the first mega commercialized athlete.

Now everyone of these highschoolers has a brand. Multiple YouTube videos. Borderline shoe deals. Youd think I'd help the hype but itsi almost made it oversaturated. Its gonna be harder for a players actual brand to stand out in 2020.

^ message .

 

[Jplaya2023]

if there is that person either isn't born yet or no one has heard of them now. I'm not sure Zion will have that global appeal but I hope i'm wrong that young man is special