There have been many great players that have come and gone throughout NBA history but one stands out in my mind as being the most talented ever. He’s not the best player ever, and the important distinction is that in certain situations where success was right there to be obtained, he failed to take it. At other times, he has put on performances for the ages. That player is Lebron James.
Lebron James has had thus far what can only be considered an incredible NBA career, a career that isn’t even over yet as he still has a number of years left in him to play at a high level. He has shown again and again that he’s the best and most versatile player in today’s NBA. He has moments of great success and otherworldly performances. The 2007 Eastern Conference Finals game 5 comes to mind where he scored 29 of the Cavs last 30 points and 25 points straight to lead his team to the win in a game that went to double overtime. The entire series in 2009 against Orlando where he was literally flying around the court like Superman doing everything for that team and damn near willed them to victory averaging 38.5 ppg, 8.3 rebs, and 8 asts. Game 6 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals facing elimination in Boston where he put up 45 points, 15 rebounds, and shot 19 of 26 from the field.
The Bad
Not to be mentioned are the times he epically failed. Game 5 of the 2010 Cavs-Celtics semi-final series that was tied 2 games apiece. He played like he had given up, he shot 3-14 from the field as his team lost by 32 points at home. In his mind he may have already made his “Decision” by that time and just wanted the season to end so he could go chase the easy Championships down in South Beach. The 2011 NBA Finals where the super team Miami Heat inexplicably lost to the Dallas Mavericks in 6 games. In game 4 of that series Lebron James put up only 8 points on 3-11 shooting and only attempted 1 shot in the 4th quarter in an 88-86 loss. You can’t characterize a player as the best ever if on basketballs biggest stage at the height of their career they come out and can only muster 8 points, and attempt only 1 shot when their team needed them the most.
Not At Jordans Level
In the years I watched Jordan in the mid 90s, I never felt like his team had any chance to lose. I wanted them to lose, especially when they played my Magic, and I grew to dislike them just because they won so much. If the games came down to the wire it was always Jordan taking the final shot or making the play to find the open man. I’ve never felt there was a Lebron led team that could not be beaten. In 2009 I bet against his team in the Eastern Conference Finals. In 2011, I thought a championship for Miami was a sure thing because that team was stacked with Lebron, Wade, and Bosh. As it turned out the one time I was most confident his team would win, they didn't. Even in 2013 when the Heat won 27 games in a row, they were 1 offensive rebound and miracle Ray Allen 3-pointer away from losing the title in 6 games to the Spurs.
Since 2011, Lebron James has been to the NBA Finals every season. That’s 8 times in a row, four times with the Heat and four times with the Cavaliers. He sits 7th all time in league scoring, 7th all time in field goals made and 9th all time in free throws made. He’s currently scored 31,038 career points and is a serious threat to pass Kareem for most points scored in NBA history. Despite all these accomplishments his Finals record is only 3-6 he still defers to teammates at times when he is clearly the best player on the court. In 2016, game 7 of the NBA Finals, it was not Lebron who nailed the game clinching 3 pointer, it was Kyrie Irving. Lebron had the most important defensive play in the game where he blocked Andre Iguodalas' layup from behind. A play that was just as important as the 3 pointer and definitely more impressive. However, a player like Michael Jordan would have never allowed a teammate to have the ball on the final play, it would have been in his hands and if he couldn’t get a clean shot he would’ve made the play to get it to the player who did have an open look.
There is no doubt Lebron is an all time great. He can score, rebound, pass, take over a game, and make unbelievable defensive plays. He's made plays that I don't think any other player in NBA history could have made. Unfortunately a few times in his career he just didn't bring it. He has a tendency at times to play passively or maybe even doubt his own abilities. A problem that Jordan never had. I believe that prevents him from being considered the greatest player ever but he is the most talented player to ever play the game.
Do you agree or disagree? Let me know in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
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