LeBron James Gets my Nod as the Greatest Ever

Sometimes I fail to take my own advice in preaching my sports beliefs.

How many times have I urged people not to rate everything that happens in sports?
Which Super Bowl is the greatest of all-time?  Who is the best quarterback ever?
Let’s simply appreciate the team or the player of the moment.

I think I’ve declared this point of view more often when the subject arises as to who is
the finest NBA player ever to play the game.
Is it LeBron James or is it Michael Jordan?

LeBron James

Michael Jordan

I’m asked that question more than any other.
Instead of replying that they both have been phenomenal. I actually give an answer.
It’s LeBron James, I say.  Then I am met with frowns, puzzling looks, and a shake of the
head in disagreement.

Recently, Kobe Bryant, a pretty good judge, had a pretty good reply to the big question.
Bryant asked why can’t we enjoy one without tearing down one?
Said Kobe, “I love what (James) he’s doing. Don’t debate what can’t be definitively won by anyone”.
So true.
How can you compare two players of differing styles, from different eras, playing in an NBA that is so different now.

Today’s NBA is more appealing, particularly to the younger demographic.
While no sport approaches the NFL in sheer viewing numbers, the NBA has been a ratings winner. And it’s no surprise.
Commissioner Adam Silver, claims sports on TV has looked the same for 30 years.
He compared the look to a “silent movie”.
He has wanted his sport to look more like a video game.
The NBA has evolved this way: No longer is the game dominated by 7-foot-plus centers who dominate the area in front of the basket and control the scoring and rebounding inside. No longer do teams play the tired style of “pick-and-roll”, where one player screens for another, and rolls to the basket awaiting a pass for a lay-up or foul.
Remember Karl Malone and John Stockton of the Utah Jazz?
They ran that play better than anyone. And they ran that play every single time  down the court.
The game frankly got stodgy, even boring.
Not now.
I remember back in the 80’s, the great Pat Riley told me he envisioned a lineup of five players, all 6-feet-7-inches, who could be interchangeable and create mismatches on the court and feature an exciting brand of basketball.
How prophetic Pat was!
In a sense, that’s what the game has become. Only now, we see players 6-9 and taller, running the floor, doing exactly what Riley predicted.
There are no longer set positions. They are simply five players out on the court.
To me, it all started when Magic Johnson at 6-9 was an effective “point-guard” for the Lakers. Many will remember when Magic played an entire game at center in a deciding
game to give L.A. the world championship in 1980. Kareem Abdul-Jabber was injured and missed the game. Magic was the hero.

That brings us back to LeBron James and Michael Jordan.
Having witnessed the greatest in the game from the 1950’s to the present time,
I recall thinking Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Kareem, Julius Erving, Larry Bird, and Magic, were either the greatest ever, or strong
candidates for that title.
Then came Jordan, who I said was the greatest of all-time. Hands down.
No contest.

Today, most fans have the image of a Michael Jordan with an endearing smile on his face. Smoothly pulling up for a jumper. Or using his quickness to drive to the basket for
an easy lay-up. Or faking a shot and hitting an open teammate (Steve Kerr) for a winning hoop. Defensively he used that quickness in brilliant fashion.
I think fans see LeBron James with a scowl, using force and power to get it done for his team.

Here’s what I’m not going to do.
Compare every statistical fact to make a decision.
Compare their supporting casts.
Compare the number of world championships.

I’m going to use the “eye test”
I’m going to make my comparison based on what I see and have seen.
Then I’m going to make a final statement.

I see LeBron James as the greatest ever based on the way he totally controls what his team needs. If they need a ball-handler to come up court, if they need a 3-point basket to win the game, if they need a hard drive to the bucket for points or a foul, LeBron will give it to them.
He is overpowering, in my opinion. Yes, he is a force. And the best I’ve ever seen, especially in this day of relentless 3-point shooting, which may be entertaining, but not always the smartest method.
Ask the Houston Rockets.

Michael Jordan was a friend of mine when he played in the league.
I have never met LeBron James, who I admit took awhile to learn to be the reliable performer he’s become.
I marvel at his ability to play a full 48-minute game at this level and at this stage of the season.

So there you have it. LeBron James gets my nod.

Yes, he’s the greatest ever.

Right now.

Somewhere there’s a youngster in a schoolyard
who wants to be like LeBron.

Chances are, he will be bigger, stronger, faster and develop more talent.

And he’ll be better.

And he just might be the greatest ever.

For awhile.