Lakers News: Mark Cuban Chooses Between Peak LeBron James And Michael Jordan
Dallas Mavericks team governor Mark Cuban finds himself in hot water this week. He recently chastised Mavericks-turned-New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson's father, Rick, for being a negative influence in Brunson's free agency decision to depart Dallas, despite the fact that the Mavericks totally could have retained Brunson via an extension before he even reached free agency, but opted not to.
Brunson is the best or second-best player on a 45-36 Knicks club destined for the postseason, earning $25 million a year, while the Mavericks missed the playoffs entirely, so I'm not sure Brunson really made the wrong decision.
Additionally, Cuban's Mavericks are also now being investigated by the NBA after opting to sit five key rotation players, including All-Star Kyrie Irving (All-Star guard Luka Doncic made a cameo in the first half before being shelved for the night) to help guarantee a loss to the Chicago Bulls last night, while jockeying for optimal lottery position.
Cuban took a break from all that controversy for a quick chat with Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson of Bally Sports about that eternal NBA GOAT debate. Robinson asked which all-time NBA legend, between current Los Angeles Lakers All-Star forward LeBron James and eternal Chicago Bulls shooting guard Michael Jordan, he would selected first overall in a hypothetical player draft. He somehow managed to insult both players in making his selection.
"LeBron would make everyone better," Cuban said. "So that's a good starting point. If I had a good squad that I can put together, I want Michael as my closer because I think that not that LeBron is [not] a good closer but, Michael’s the best, right? So if the game’s on the line I’d rather have MJ at this point.”
So to recap, Cuban believes Jordan didn't make his teammates better, or at least not to the extent that James does, and that James can't close games.
I would take umbrage with that Cuban note about Jordan somehow being worse at bringing out the best in his teammates. Several players got demonstrably better after being shipped away from LeBron James-led teams. Just in terms of ex-Lakers, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart all improved massively away from LA.
Kevin Love, a rebounding machine with the Minnesota Timberwolves, never quite seemed to fit with the James-era Cleveland Cavaliers, as he was forced into more of a stretch four role and away from the paint, not quite a maximization of his talents.
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