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Is LeBron James the John Elway of the NBA?

Some have compared James taking this current Cavaliers team to the Finals to Elway taking the Broncos teams of the 1980s to three Super Bowls. It’s an interesting topic of discussion.

Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images

Good morning, Broncos Country!

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What John Elway accomplished in the 1980s remains remarkable.

To take those Denver Broncos teams to three Super Bowls in four seasons is one of the best feats in NFL history. If you consider what Jim Kelly did in leading the Buffalo Bills to four-straight Super Bowls the greatest, in my mind what Elway did is just as impressive. When you consider the makeup of the respective teams, one could say what Elway pulled is more impressive.

Perhaps the best comparison to today is LeBron James, and especially this version of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. The comparison comes not from the style of play but dragging teams to the pinnacle games of their sport that probably had no business being there. Others have seen the connection to James and Elway, but I wanted to get the thoughts of Adam Malnati. So on the latest MHR Radio Podcast, I asked Adam if James is the Elway of the NBA.

I also took it a step further. If Elway had won any of those three Super Bowls, is he the unquestioned greatest of all time? Some in Broncos Country believe he already is, Adam is one of them, but does it change the current debate of quarterbacks who are included? The aspect that connects all of this, more so than James and Elway, is the teams they faced in the respective championships. It helps two are from the Bay Area.

If James beats the Golden State Warriors, some will say he is the greatest player in NBA history. Some already do. Had Elway defeated the San Francisco 49ers in that Super Bowl in New Orleans that Denver fans don’t talk about, Elway would have to be the GOAT, right? Both the Warriors and 49ers are incredible teams loaded with talent. Offensively, they are near impossible to stop. Alas, Elway and the Broncos didn’t make it happen, but it’s still a fun conversation. What do you think, Broncos fans?

Adam and I also discuss the developments in Denver’s ownership and DeMarcus Ware serving as a guest coach/observer in the second week of OTAs.

The MHR Radio Podcast is now on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and TuneIn. Please subscribe to the one that fits your fancy, and also rate and review what you hear.

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