Having a discussion with a friend:
Does LeBron figure into Top 10 players of ALL time if he never wins a title (or if he only wins 1 or 2)?
He said no, considering you'd have multiple people ahead of him (at least 10 in his opinion). Obviously Jordan, Kobe, Shaq (for a while he was absolutely dominant), Wade, Olajuwon, Duncan (as a quietly, yet consistently great PF/C), Magic, Bird. Who else would be in that list (again, considering LeBron is ring-less)?
He said he heard a comparison of LeBron to Karl Malone or Barkley. Great players with no rings. What statistical benchmarks would have have to hit to be considered best ever (if he never gets a title) -- much like Marino is certainly in the discussion as best QB?