'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
LeBron James’ cryptic post on IG has created quite a stir not just in the NBA but also in the entire sports world. Most basketball analysts contend that it’s the four-time MVP’s subtle dig at the LA Lakers following their 0-4 start to the season.
Analyst Chris Broussard on “The Odd Couple” podcast, however, had a different theory on James’ reasoning behind the post:
“Maybe LeBron feels like he is so definitively the greatest of all time. … Maybe that’s the case and he’s like, ‘How in the world are y’all taking me for granted?’
“We all see the greatness whether we think you are the GOAT or not. People are about to celebrate you in a few months or however long it takes you to pass Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar]. ... You don’t have to beg to be the GOAT. … You don’t have to beg, Michael Jordan’s never begged for it.”
(Starts at the 5:05 mark)
LeBron James is in the 20th season of his NBA career and he’s putting up historical numbers. There has been nobody, not even Michael Jordan, who has mixed greatness with longevity for as long as James has.
But despite all his accomplishments, he continues to be one of the most criticized and hated athletes. He has a ton of fans, but he also has a boatload of critics who have relentlessly called him out throughout his GOAT-candidate career.
The biggest difference between LeBron James and Michael Jordan regarding the best player in NBA history discussion is their personal take. “King James” never shied away from the title, particularly declaring he was the greatest in 2016.
Back then, he led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a titanic upset over the 73-9 Golden State Warriors after his team fell behind 3-1 in the finals. He has been lambasted over the years for trumpeting his own horn.
Michael Jordan, meanwhile, has been very reluctant to crown himself as the best to play in the NBA. He considers different eras of basketball as a boundary that can’t be overlooked when comparing players' greatness.
“His Airness” refused to call himself the GOAT because he never played against Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West or Bill Russell.
Jordan left it to basketball fans and experts to give him that illustrious title while the 18-time All-Star had to claim it for himself. If this is James’ way of asking fans to acknowledge he’s the GOAT, then this is one of the worst ways to go about it.
LeBron James’ GOAT-candidacy will get a big boost once he sits as the all-time scoring champ
The GOAT debate between Michael Jordan and LeBron James has been going on for years. It will likely continue to do so despite James’ continued excellence on the court.
One of the biggest accolades that James can add to his resume and persuade fans to acknowledge that he is the GOAT is the all-time scoring mark.
Once he gets that before the season ends, he will have added an incredibly significant mark that will have his hordes of fans ecstatic. They will then have one of the most hallowed records to back up their claim of James’ unparalleled greatness.
Whether the all-time scoring crown will sway more fans to consider LeBron James the GOAT remains to be seen. What’s undeniable is his unmistakable impact on the game and the greatness he has displayed since turning pro 20 years ago.
