LeBron vs. the All-Time Greats: Where Does King James' First Decade in the League Rank?

NBA fans and insiders love to compare players. It happens more in basketball than any other sport. Wilt or Russell? Magic or Bird? Jordan or Kobe? These days people put LeBron James against damn near every great because his game is so versatile. Who does he most resemble? Magic, Jordan, Kobe, or the Big O? There's no real answer to that question. What we can do, though, is put the King's first decade up against 14 of the greatest players in history. We picked guys that his game mirrors like Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson. And we also compared him to greats like Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell, among others. So walk with us as we try to answer this question: Where Does King James' First Decade in the League Rank?

Written by Angel Diaz (@graffnameramo)

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Malone's Stats (10 Years In): 26.0 PPG 10.9 RPG 3.0 APG 1.4 SPG 0.9 BPG
LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Malone's PER (10 Years In): 23.1
LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 3x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Malone's Accolades (10 Years In): 8x All-Star, 8x All-NBA, 1x All-Defense

Team(s): Jazz

A lot of folks like to compare LeBron to Malone because of their physical presence. Malone was often the strongest player on the court, and you can say the same about LeBron. Along with John Stockton, the Mailman took the Jazz to the playoffs every year he was there. Although, they didn't reach the Finals until his twelfth season, Utah was always worthy threats to the Western Conference throne. During his first decade, "Stockton to Malone" became a popular phrase on basketball courts across the nation. Their pick and roll was automatic. Malone was a bruiser in the paint and didn't miss from 15-18 feet. He's also the second all-time leader in scoring. He can thank his buddy John for that.

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Baylor's Stats (10 Years In): 28.1 PPG 14.2 RPG 4.2 APG
LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Baylor's PER (10 Years In): 23.2
LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 3x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Baylor's Accolades (10 Years In): 1959 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 9x All-NBA

Team(s): Lakers

Elgin Baylor is the blueprint for guys like Dr. J, MJ, Kobe, and LeBron. Though he never won a title, Baylor was probably the most gifted athlete in his day. He did things on the court no one had seen before and averaged 35 points a game between '61-'63 in the process. Elgin, along with Jerry West and Gail Goodrich, helped the Lakers reach the Finals six times in his first 10 seasons in the L. Unfortunately, Baylor retired nine games into the Lakers' historic 1971-72 championship season.

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Barkley's Stats (10 Years In): 23.3 PPG 11.6 RPG 3.9 APG 1.6 SPG 1.0 BPG
LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Barkley's PER (10 Years In): 25.1
LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 3x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Barkley's Accolades (10 Years In): 8x All-Star, 1x MVP, 9x All-NBA, 1x Rebounding King

Team(s): 76ers, Suns

It's amazing what the Round Mound of Rebound was able to do given his size. Sir Charles used his wingspan and leaping ability to play bigger than he was. Barkley was one of many legends that had Michael Jordan to blame for not winning a ring. His time in Philadelphia was a roller coaster ride of emotions. There were times when they looked like contenders and then other years where they finished in the basement of the Atlantic division.

Mr. "I'm Not a Role Model" also found himself in some type of controversy more often than not. Finally fed up with the Philly media and the organization, Chuck requested a trade and he was dealt to the Suns in the summer of 1992. During his first season with the Suns, Barkley won the MVP and carried the Suns to the Finals where they lost to the Bulls in a classic six game series.

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Kobe's Stats (10 Years In): 23.9 PPG 5.1 RPG 4.5 APG 1.5 SPG
LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Kobe's PER (10 Years In): 23.2
LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 3x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Kobe's Accolades (10 Years In): 8x All-Star, 8x All-NBA, 6x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 3x NBA Champion

Team(s): Lakers

Oh yes. The man we all love to hate, Kobe Bean Bryant. Straight out of high school, he had an arrogance about him that rubbed some folks the wrong way. But that same arrogance has helped him become one of the 10 best players to ever put on an NBA uniform. After a couple years of adjusting to the NBA lifestyle, Kobe started being Kobe.

In his fourth season, he and the Lakers won the first of three straight titles. He then ran Shaq out of town after LA lost to the Pistons in the 2004 Finals. With O'Neal out of his hair, the Lakers were finally his. Bryant put up numbers on a nightly basis, scoring 81 in a game and averaging 35.4 points per game in 2006. However, he didn't win another championship until in 2009, a season after Jerry West gave the Lakers Pau Gasol for pennies on the dollar.

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Big O's Stats (10 Years In): 29.3 PPG 8.5 RPG 10.3 APG
LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Big O's PER (10 Years In): 25
LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 3x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Big O's Accolades (10 Years In): 1961 Rookie of the Year, 10x All-Star, 1x MVP, 10x All-NBA, 1x Scoring Champion, 7x Assists Leader

Team(s): Royals, Bucks

The Big O is the only man to average a triple-double in a season. LeBron is probably the only player that will ever come close to accomplishing the feat not named Magic Johnson. Many like to compare James to Jordan or Bryant, but they really should be comparing him to Robertson—offensively, at least. Oscar revolutionized the game with his style of play. Like James, he elevated those around him and could win a game by his damn self if he had to. Unfortunately, Oscar didn't get a chance to play with the oft-overlooked Maurice Stokes who was in a freak accident two years before the Royals drafted him, and teamed he up with Lew Alcindor in his eleventh year in the L. During his first five seasons, Robertson missed averaging a triple-double by percentage points.

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 3x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion

Team(s): Cavs, Heat

King James has caught a lot of hate during his first decade in the NBA. But people forget that this kid came out of high school and has lived up to the hype. The one thing that he's missing from his game is that killer instinct that turned guys like Magic, Bird, Jordan, Shaq, Russell, and Kobe into immortals. Those five guys are the standard when it comes to winning when it mattered most. LeBron put up 20 points, five rebounds, six assists, and nearly two steals per game during his rookie season at the age of 19. In just his fourth season, he carried the Cavs to the Finals where they lost to the Spurs. After years of falling short and not having a team built around him, he bounced to Miami in the most douchey way possible, losing a shitload of "witnesses" in the process.

During their first season in Miami together, James, Wade, and Bosh fell short of winning a championship and everyone loved it. The pointing and laughing has turned James into Carrie. In a lockout shortened season, Miami beat a loaded Thunder squad in five games, with the help of LeBron's historical 2012 playoff run. This season, the Miami Heat won 27 straight games (second all-time), and they are looking like the team to beat once again. By season's end, we expect LeBron to add another MVP, another Finals MVP, another championship, and maybe even a Defensive Player of the Year award to his ever growing resume. Listen to Pay Riley. We should all be scared now.

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Shaq's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 12.3 RPG 2.8 APG 2.6 BPG
LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Shaq's PER (10 Years In): 28.3
LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 3x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Shaq's Accolades (10 Years In): 1993 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 1x MVP, 3x Finals MVP, 9x All-NBA, 2x All-Defense, 2x Scoring Champion, 3x NBA Champion

Team(s): Magic, Lakers

Shaq is one of a handful of players that came into the league and quickly took over. No one believed that someone of his size could be so athletic. During his first few years in the L, O'Neal rapped, acted, scored, rebounded, and broke backboards. In his third season, flanked by Penny Hardaway, the Diesel beat a recently unretired Michael Jordan for the honor of going up against another great in Hakeem Olajuwon. The Magic were swept by the Dream's Rockets, and Shaq bounced to La La Land two years later. There, along with his BFF Kobe Bryant, the Lakers made four trips to the Finals in five years between 2000-2004, winning three straight between 2000-2002.

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Bird's Stats (10 Years In): 25.0 PPG 10.2 RPG 6.1 APG 1.8 SPG 0.8 BPG
LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Bird's PER (10 Years In): 24.1
LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 3x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Bird's Accolades (10 Years In): 1980 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 3x MVP, 2x Finals MVP, 9x All-NBA, 3x All-Defense, 3x NBA Champion

Team(s): Celtics

Larry Bird couldn't jump high or run fast, but that stuff doesn't matter when your basketball IQ is top five dead or alive, and you don't miss jumpers, ever. He averaged 25 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and two steals during his first 10 years. Bird would shoot a three in your grill and tell you about it. Hell, he would tell you about it before it went in. No matter the play, he made it; whether it was a pass, steal, or shot. Few have been as clutch as Larry Legend during crunch time. He and Magic saved the NBA from obscurity in the '80s.

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Duncan's Stats (10 Years In): 21.8 PPG 11.9 RPG 3.2 APG 0.8 SPG 2.5 BPG
LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Duncan's PER (10 Years In): 25.2
LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 3x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Duncan's Accolades (10 Years In): 1998 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 2x MVP, 3x Finals MVP, 10x All-NBA, 10x All-Defense, 3x NBA Champion

Team(s): Spurs

These two are exact opposites. LeBron came straight out of high school while Duncan stayed all four years at Wake Forest. James has a power game and Duncan has a "boring" game. The Big Fundamental fell into San Antonio's lap with the first pick of the 1997 Draft the season after David Robinson went down with an injury. Suddenly the Spurs went from never being able to get over the hump to a dynasty. Shit, they haven't won a title in six years, but are always at the top of the Western standings and Timmy is a big part of that. He does everyting your big man should do: score, rebound, and police the paint. Duncan's Spurs and Shaq's Lakers dominated the aughts.

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Dr. J's Stats (10 Years In): 26.1 PPG 9.9 RPG 4.5 APG 2.1 SPG 1.7 BPG
LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Dr. J's PER (10 Years In): 24.7
LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 3x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Dr. J's Accolades (10 Years In): 5x ABA All-Star, 5x NBA All-Star, 3x ABA MVP, 1x NBA MVP, 5x All-ABA, 4x All-NBA, 1x ABA All-Defense, 3x ABA Scoring Champion, 2x ABA Champion

Team(s): Squires (ABA), NY Nets (ABA), 76ers

Dr. J is the godfather. Like Elgin Baylor before him, the good doctor did unimaginable things on the court. It seemed like he was able to fly. We combined his ABA and NBA stats because he didn't play in the L until he was 26. And don't you dare discredit the ABA and their funny basketball. The NBA gained popularity after merging with the ABA and adopting their more exciting style of play. Erving was the ABA, winning three MVPs and two championships in his first five years as a New York Net. He then went to the NBA where he won the 1981 MVP during his fifth year in the league.

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Magic's Stats (10 Years In): 19.5 PPG 7.4 RPG 11.2 APG 2.0 SPG
LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Magic's PER (10 Years In): 23.8
LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 3x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Magic's Accolades (10 Years In): 9x All-Star, 3x MVP, 3x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x Assists Leader, 2x Steals Leader, 5x NBA Champion

Team(s): Lakers

Other than Robertson, LeBron draws the most comparisons to Magic Johnson. Guys that size aren't supposed to handle and pass the rock like they do. Magic has always been a winner. He won high school championships, a college national title, and five NBA chips—the first during his rookie year. In just 12 seasons, Johnson managed to become the all-time leader in assists. During his first 10, he put up 19 points and 11 assists a game, won three MVPs, three Finals MVPs, made nine All-Star teams, and made eight trips to the Finals, winning five. All while battling his archrival Larry Bird and saving the NBA.

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Jordan's Stats (10 Years In): 32.2 PPG 6.3 RPG 5.9 APG 2.7 SPG 1.0 BPG
LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Jordan's PER (10 Years In): 29.6
LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 3x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Jordan's Accolades (10 Years In): 1985 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 1x Defesnive Player of the Year, 3x MVP, 3x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 6x All-Defense, 7x Scoring Champion, 3x Steals Leader, 3x NBA Champion

Team(s): Bulls

He wasn't always considered the GOAT. During his first three years, MJ was seen as a ball hog that wasn't a good defender. He took the criticism like a G, worked on his defense, and winning the Defensive Player of the Year to go with an MVP award in 1988. His next obstacle came in the form of the Bad Boy Pistons. The Bulls couldn't beat Isiah's goons to save their lives, losing to them in the Eastern Conference Finals two years in a row. After some more criticism, he was finally able to take Chicago to the promised land during his seventh season ('91). Chicago won two more championships and His Airness called it quits so he could play minor league baseball only to return wearing that 4-5. The rest is history.

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Kareem's Stats (10 Years In): 28.6 PPG 14.8 RPG 4.5 APG 1.3 SPG 3.5 BPG
LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Kareem's PER (10 Years In): 26.9
LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 3x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Kareem's Accolades (10 Years In): 1970 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 5x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 9x All-NBA, 8x All-Defense, 2x Scoring Champion, 1x Rebounding King, 1x NBA Champion

Team(s): Bucks, Lakers

Just when people were getting over Chamberlain, in entered a tall, lanky, outspoken kid from the streets of New York. Fresh off of winning three consecutive national championships and three NCAA Player of the Year awards under John Wooden at UCLA, Alcindor wasted no time making his presence felt as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. He averaged 30 points, 15 boards, and four blocks during his first six years, winning Milwaukee's only title in just his second year when he got some help in the form of Oscar Robertson. Growing tired of the lack of culture in Milwaukee, he changed his name to what he's known by today and requested to be traded. He was dealt to the Lakers in 1975 and didn't win another title until they drafted Magic before the 1979-80 season.

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Russell's Stats (10 Years In): 16.1 PPG 23.4 RPG 4.0 APG
LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Russell's PER (10 Years In): 19.5
LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 3x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Russell's Accolades (10 Years In): 9x All-Star, 5x MVP, 9x All-NBA, 5x Rebounding King, 9x NBA Champion

Team(s): Celtics

Yes there were only 8 to 14 teams in the L when Bill Russell played, but they couldn't beat him. He won as a player and as a player/coach. In his first 10 seasons, Russell led the Celtics to nine titles. He's still considered to be the greatest defensive player to ever live. He grabbed 23 boards a game and by one referre's account averaged 8 to 10 blocks per contest (blocks weren't tallied in his day). Bill wasn't the greatest scorer, but his defense led to the invention of the fast break. Instead of throwing shit into the third row, Russell controlled blocked shots and made sure they got to an outlet man. The only humans that can rival his intangibles are Magic and Michael.

LeBron's Stats (10 Years In): 27.6 PPG 7.3 RPG 6.9 APG 1.7 SPG 0.9 BPG
Wilt's Stats (10 Years In): 34.4 PPG 24.3 RPG 4.5 APG
LeBron's PER (10 Years In): 27.6
Wilt's PER (10 Years In): 28.1
LeBron's Accolades (10 Years In): 2004 Rookie of the Year, 9x All-Star, 3x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA, 4x All-Defense, 1x Scoring Champion, 1x NBA Champion
Wilt's Accolades (10 Years In): 1960 Rookie of the Year, 10x All-Star, 4x MVP, 9x All-NBA, 7x Scoring Champion, 8x Rebounding King, 1x NBA Champion

Team(s): Warriors, 76ers, Lakers

Wilt was the first of his kind. He was regarded as one of the wonders of the world when he came into the league. Just look at those numbers. Good God Almighty. In his third season, the Big Dipper averaged 50.4 points per game and scored 100 points in a game. Yeah, let that sink in. Chamberlain was so out of this universe, the NBA changed rules to combat his superiority. Such as the widening of the lane and instituting goaltending. But with all his dominance, Chamberlain always came up short because of Russell's Hall of Fame-filled Celtics. The two will be joined at the hip forever.