re: Modern NBA defenses are so tough

I'll just say this again. Lebron really doesn't belong in this conversation. His apex was right at the beginning of this neo-modern era. His title against the Warriors (when he was exiting his prime at best) was the last stand against the modern NBA.

When everyone started copying the Warriors, this era began. That was outside of Lebron's prime and he's an old man these days. The portion of his career that gives him an argument in the GOAT discussion occurred prior to this era.