LeBron James has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest NBA players of all time
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James promised that he would help return the team to its former glory. Sure, he failed to do so in his first season with the team. But that was mostly due to a groin injury. However, in Year 2, James helped guide the Lakers to their first championship since 2010. As a result, the Lakers joined the Boston Celtics as the only teams to win 17 titles. Now with his fourth title under his belt, the GOAT debate is on display once again. The age-old argument on whether James has surpassed Michael Jordan as the greatest of all-time. By no means will I attempt to answer this question in this article. However, I will make the case as to why LeBron James deserves more than surface-level respect.
For starters, upon his arrival, James helped transform the Cleveland Cavaliers into a relevant team once again. This was no easy feat considering they won just 17 games the year they drafted James. While the team failed to make the playoffs during James’ first two years in the NBA, they finished no lower than fourth in the Eastern Conference over the next five years. This included an NBA Finals appearance in 2007 and two ECF appearances in each of the next two seasons. To be objective, James didn’t deliver a title during his first stint with the Cavaliers. But he would right that wrong later (more on that in a bit).
Following his seven-year stint in Cleveland, LeBron James helped lead the Miami Heat to four consecutive Finals appearances. James, along with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, won back-to-back titles during that stretch before James returned to the Cavaliers in the summer of 2014. And he picked up right where he left off in Miami.
Over the next four seasons, James helped lead the Cavs to four consecutive Final appearances. Now, James’ critics will be quick to say that he won just one title during that four-year run. On the flip side of the equation, that lone title run came against one of the greatest teams the league has seen. The team in question was the Golden State Warriors. The Dubs won an NBA record 73 games that season. Not only that, but they also had the Cavaliers down 3-1. Somehow, someway, James and the Cavaliers came back to win the series in seven games. This was the first and only time that a team overcame a 3-1 deficit in a Finals series. Even more important, it was the city’s first championship in 52 years. James’ departure following the 2017-18 campaign was a foregone conclusion after delivering a title to his hometown state.
When LeBron James opted to join the Lakers, the consensus was that this was merely the last landing spot of his storied career. However, James had other ideas. Even with the acquisition of Anthony Davis, the Lakers weren’t the favorites to win the title this season. James was an afterthought in the MVP race despite playing at a high level at this stage of his career. But despite the naysayers, James and the Lakers steamrolled through the first three rounds of the playoffs, posting a 12-3 record.
Ironically, James would be pitted against a Miami Heat squad that hadn’t been to the Finals since, well, he left back in 2014. Miami put up a valiant effort every step of the way. But in the end, James and the Lakers were too much for the Heat and they won the series in six games. Aside from winning his fourth title, there are few other factors that warrant a discussion.
James has now played in 10 NBA Finals series. This includes nine appearances in the last 10 years. He was named Finals MVP for the fourth time and he has played a key role in helping three teams win championships.
James has also won Finals MVP with every championship team he’s played on. And the most recent title was won under a unique set of circumstances, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, James is third on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. He has 13 All-NBA First Team selections. And he has been named to the All-Defensive First Team five times. Let’s also not forget that James isn’t bashful when it comes to speaking out on various social issues. Simply put, he’s a difference-maker both on and off the court.
It is difficult to compare players across different eras. Taking that into consideration, the greatest of all-time debate in any sport will always be a subjective one. Given what he has accomplished, James has cemented himself as one of the greatest ever to lace up a pair of basketball sneakers. In other words, it’s time to give the man the respect he deserves.