Bonus Episode - Lebron James's Legacy

Craig D'Alessandro : 0:24

Hey, it's Craig D'Alessandro executive producer of the MSW network. You know, one of my favorite things about doing a podcast or radio show, or any kind of show is the OFF AIR talk and the full on conversations and debate that we have that unfortunately, you the listener don't get to hear that often. Such as the case in episode eight of the MSW podcast. As Michael Marcangela is looking to wrap up the show, your esteemed producer asked a simple question about the legacy of LeBron James, that produced the following debate.

Michael Marcangelo : 0:51

I know we're running long, so sorry, Craig. But can you name one star NBA player, not not not just like a benchwarmer, but a star NBA player that has won a championship for three teams?

Joe Malkin : 1:04

Well, no, I can't because no one's done it.

Michael Marcangelo : 1:07

LeBron is about to

Joe Malkin : 1:08

but we can't get people in trouble for things they haven't done.

Michael Marcangelo : 1:11

Well, you can get me in trouble for this. LeBron is about to do it. So, obviously,

Joe Malkin : 1:16

you know what, Gordon Hayward for Finals MVP,

Michael Marcangelo : 1:20

Well, you know, obviously, you know, thank you guys so much for listening to episode. Yes, Craig.

Craig D'Alessandro : 1:25

When the history books are written, that the fact that he's been on include the include the Cavaliers twice. The think the fact that he's been on four different teams will be held against them?

Michael Marcangelo : 1:37

Oh, well, I think he I think this is really gonna go hands on the conversation. I think he was I think he was a ring chaser to begin with that when we went to Miami. I think winning and Cleveland kind of validated him. And if he couldn't win again, and La again, it's not by himself. He does have Anthony frickin Davis. I think it helps.

Rob Kelly : 1:57

And I think this is gonna go on. There's nothing we can do about it. Yeah. So this is the you're the producer Craig, you brought this up. So this is all you're doing?

Craig D'Alessandro : 2:06

Brought it on myself.

Rob Kelly : 2:08

So I think it's just because of the the nature of the NBA we live in today that it won't be brought against him because of the fact that we literally are living in a video game when it comes to free agency in the NBA, where 10 1520 years ago, if Michael Jordan had left the balls after one of those finals, yes, it would have been an absolute travesty, it would have been something that was held against him forever. But I don't see the same happening with LeBron just because of how every other player in the NBA has done the same exact thing.

Michael Marcangelo : 2:42

Quick question, Bobby., if he doesn't win in Cleveland, when he goes when he went back? Do you still feel the same way?

Rob Kelly : 2:49

Yeah, yeah. Because it's, it's it's a different league. It's his choice. You can go by and so on.

Joe Malkin : 2:55

So here's

Rob Kelly : 2:57

it. I the way I saw it is when LeBron did that. And he went back to Cleveland, the way he rationalized it was, it was like my college experiences where I grew up is where I did this. And I don't think that that's something that you could really toss away. Because we all did the same thing. When we went to college, like right now, we're obviously completely different people than we were when we were 23 24 25 years old. We're on a whole different level of understanding what's around us. So I just don't think you can hold that against him. Because if I was given an opportunity, if I was living in Cleveland, you're like, Hey, I'll give you millions to go for come play Miami with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, instead of being here in this dumpster fire. Would you not do that?

Michael Marcangelo : 3:38

No, no, no, but I think I think you missed my point. I think this is because you said it's not going to be held against him. It doesn't want to know, but would it have been held against him if he never went back to Cleveland and won there?

Joe Malkin : 3:49

So he goes back to Cleveland doesn't win again, and is now in the comics fight? Absolutely. And yeah, all right. Yeah, probably. But so here's the thing about LeBron, where I'm gonna kind of flip it around again. I'm going to pull up Mike Marcangelo. Sorry, Mike, Mark. Angela. Want to make sure that that's right for the notes there. Correct. It's Mike, Mark Angelo. Right. So I is now I've lost my train of thought. If he wins with the Lakers, which he has not yet done, if he wins with the Lakers, it does lend, as Bobby said to the type of lead that it is right now. Because LeBron James was the first of his kind to go. And I mean, in this generation of NBA players, to go to teams and build the team that he wants around him with guys that want to be with him in order to win that championship. He did that in Miami, right? That was the first time it happened. He didn't win. He went back to Cleveland. Okay. And then he's done it now in LA as well. And that team stunk last year, right? Like they weren't good in his first season there. And then he goes out and he understands it's gonna take a year. That's a guy that's gonna be a good GM. When it comes to the end of it when he's done playing. Not a good coach. I don't think he's gonna be I Well, I'll take that back. I think he could be a good coach, but I think he's gonna be a better GM.

Rob Kelly : 5:15

That's not the route he's gonna take, though. I agree with you that

Joe Malkin : 5:17

I don't but yeah, but like, I think that he would be a good GM because he has put these teams together now. It's easy when You have the money when you're able to name the coach when you're able to bring in the players you want to bring in. But at the end of the day, that's the kind of League it is now. Right? So, Mike, I mean, he's clearly the best player in the NBA do I think he's the best player that ever played? Not necessarily, but I think based on the way the league is now, you would never have seen that from magic or Larry or wilt or put it right. Right, so so that's part of the narrative though, right? So we can we can say, well, that's just what the league is now. But I think we have to hold against him the fact that he's the first in a new generation of the NBA. I think that we have to hold against them so let's let's see what happens in the next 30 years. If other guys are doing the same thing who's the next guy to come in and do it we know Kyrie tried to but Kai reason? To me he's he's a joke. I don't think Brooklyn's going to do anything.

Michael Marcangelo : 6:21

Well, you're never gonna win a championship with your star player being a point guard. It just isn't gonna happen it you just can't do it. It's true. So just just just to kind of button this all up

Rob Kelly : 6:32

and you gotta love it. Gotta love a nice little Braun little fire up there at the end to

Michael Marcangelo : 6:38

in a pretty bow. Can we at least all agree, Lebron is the best of the last men standing and currently playing in the NBA playoffs. Yes, yeah,

Rob Kelly : 6:50

yeah, yeah. And I do agree with you that it is going through the Lakers. There's no doubt about that.

Michael Marcangelo : 6:57

It's not going I mean, no one's gonna go through them. That's my point. Okay. All right, Mike. I'll consulting

Rob Kelly : 7:06

I'm sorry for it.

Joe Malkin : 7:07

I'll tell you what if the if the Celtics get there. I think they have a shot. I really I actually do. I think Miami would crumble. Although I think if the NBA goes with their normal narrative, I think they would love to see a Lakers he final. I really do. It's his former team. It's lebrons former team Spoelstra still they're not celestra Bobby Spoelstra.

Rob Kelly : 7:31

boeotia it's it's not. It's not coming.

Joe Malkin : 7:35

We're gonna Alright, so it just concede the fact that the lions aren't winning the North.

Michael Marcangelo : 7:42

So for Broadway Joe Malkin, they'll be Kpop Kelly. I am your host, Michael mark. Angela. Thank you so much for listening to episode eight of the SNSW podcast.