LeBron James is considered to be the best basketball player in the world today. He is currently the NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), and is the centerpiece of the star-studded Miami Heat.
When we talk about basketball greatness, the discussion always falls back on Michael Jordan, a basketball immortal on par with Muhammad Ali and Donald Bradman, considered to be one of the greatest sportsmen to have ever lived.
At the start of his career, LeBron was labeled the new Jordan, but as soon as he failed to compete with the superstar’s records he quickly became the ‘very good LeBron who couldn’t tie Jordan’s shoe laces’. LeBron isn’t in the same stratosphere as Jordan, but I wonder if we will ever see another Jordan in our lifetime.
The more relevant question would be: is LeBron James the best player in the league? I, for one, have to say no. Kobe Bryant holds the titles and has years of consistent form on the board, so I’m scratching my head as to why this LA Lakers superstar is so underrated. LeBron has no titles, plays in a superstar team and is often outshined by his teammate Dwyane Wade. Durant and Rondo also lead a group of very talented basketball players who could challenge LeBron for his position at the top of the pecking order.
So what about LeBron the person? Professional sport is a tough industry, and LeBron has been criticized on many fronts. He was maligned when he deserted the Cavaliers, who just simply didn’t have the means to build a team around the great man, and he has been told over and over again that he will never achieve greatness. Over the years, LeBron has changed from a much-loved athlete into a villain, and has tried in vain to resurrect his ‘good guy’ image.
The Heat will be desperate to put away the Celtics as quickly as possible, and then take on the Spurs or the Thunder in the Finals. An NBA title is essential for LeBron to cement his legacy.
