As is usually the case, writing about LeBron James sparked more feedback than just about any other topic I have penned an opinion on in the past. So with James now getting the Cavs into the NBA Finals for what will be his eighth straight appearance, I wanted to share some counterpoints I heard and my reaction to those.
“Dwell on the fact that most of us consider basketball to be a team sport. Magic took that to a new level. Golden State has taken it to another new level. Watching LeBron is like watching Wilt score 100 points in another time far, far away!”
A criticism that I have a huge problem with is the one implying James is a selfish player. Early in his career, the knock was that he was too passive, that he didn’t take over games enough, that he needed to go to the Heat because he couldn’t do it himself. Now he’s the unquestioned alpha dog who wants and gets the ball in any big spot and we knock him for that, as well?
I hate to bring facts into the equation, but just a reminder that James — at 6-foot-8, 250 pounds — finished second in the NBA in assists this season (9.1 per game). He’s the most comparable player to Magic Johnson we’ve ever seen and yet he sometimes gets the selfish tag. Meanwhile, Stephen Curry, a point guard who plays with Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson, averaged 6.1 assists.
“Confidence is one thing but an ego the size of Texas is a turnoff. He may be the most talented at the sport he is not the greatest to watch. When he scores or wins and stands on a table pounding his chest and portrays baby like emotions when things don’t go his way I just don’t care to watch it.”
Egotism is an understandable turnoff, so this one is at least more palatable to me. However, I think it’s typically misapplied to James, or applied only to James and not others. First off, not many other players make as many big plays or have had as many big moments as LeBron. Some who have give off the same reactions. One of Dwyane Wade’s most famous images is hopping up on the scorers’ table after hitting the game-winner in double overtime against the Bulls.
Remember Curry dancing around the court after his epic game-winner on the road in Oklahoma City two years ago? Imagine if James did the Steph Curry shimmy dance after just making a three, as Curry often does. Think of the vitriol.
How do you react as a fan when your team makes a big play? Have you ever jumped up and down? Thrown a fist in the air? Screamed your lungs out? Think of what you sometimes do or say to someone who happens to be cheering for the opponent.
This guy is ON THE TEAM and the person MAKING THE PLAY. He can’t show emotion, as well?
And let us not forget that Michael Jordan, who is still close to a deity in my mind, referred to himself as “Black Jesus,” berated teammates, had more technical fouls in playoff games (18) than James (16) and gave what is probably the least self-aware and most vengeful Hall of Fame induction speech by any athlete of all time.
“Jordan scored 50 points in a game 31 times. LeBron has 11.”
Yes, Jordan was a better pure scorer than James has ever been. If I had to choose between the two for someone to take the last shot, I’d take Jordan. But while Jordan was so much more than just a scorer, he still wasn’t the all-around monster that James has become. They are each elite defenders (Jordan has nine All-Defense nods, James has six), elite playmakers and elite scorers.
But James, in his 15th season, had 18 triple-doubles just this year. Jordan had 28 in his entire career. James has 22 triple-doubles in the playoffs, alone.
(And I’m sorry, old heads. He’s doing it against better competition. I’m 35. I grew up watching 90’s basketball and Jordan era teams. The league had great players then. There have been more in the LeBron era.)
It’s not a clear-cut breakaway slam dunk to say that LeBron is the greatest of all time. It took me until this season to even consider that he may have passed Jordan. I’m simply saying that a lot of the disdain or arguments seem to be misguided. I think he gets treated differently and I still can’t quite figure out why.
The Cavs will, in all likelihood, lose in the Finals once again. Many will say it just adds to the reasons why James can’t be the best of all time, ignoring that Golden State is a monster favorite and one of the two or three best teams ever. For a little perspective, Vegas has the Warriors at minus-1000 for the series. That means you need to bet $1,000 on the Warriors to win just $100. Regardless, you better believe LeBron is going to get roasted if he loses.
Is he the greatest? I don’t know. But I do think he has the greatest cumulative combination of being able to do the most different things on the court while having virtually no deficiencies and being able to make the spectacular play seem routine. That hasn’t yet equaled as many titles as some other all-time greats, but it has pushed him to the top of my list.
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David Simon can be reached at dsimon@thegardenisland.com.
My comment on Wilt’s 100 was misinterpreted. I was not making a point about selfishness. I was making a point about how boring some novelties become after the first time. “There he goes again, pushing someone much lighter, not named Green, out of the way for a layup or foul!” Now everything stops for several minutes for two free throws…..YAWN. Wouldn’t you rather watch the
Warriors and Pelicans play 60 minutes of fast breaks?
Other quick to bore events would be “What if Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played volleyball?” or “What if we let a defensive tackle run with the ball?” (Sorry, we did do that one back in ’86)
Comparing Curry’s and James’ assists is an apple and orange event. If the Warriors play their game tomorrow and win, you’ll see an amazing distribution in the assist column and Green will be in double digits!
The Warrior’s game is the present and future. It’s entertaining and should prevail. GO WARRIORS