Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James sinks to No. 3 spot in SI’s top 100 NBA players rankings

According to a recent NBA rankings list, Los Angeles Lakers franchise player LeBron James is no longer the best basketball player in the world.

Ever since Los Angeles Lakers star, LeBron James, entered the league, he has been known for making a huge impact on the court night after night. In his very first NBA game, the man dropped 25 points, gobbled up six rebounds, had nine dimes, and accumulated four steals.

Certainly, that one example proved to not be a fluke. James has played in a plethora of games since then and has not only matched those numbers time after time but has managed to surpass them. It sheds light on why many folks have coined him as the best player on Earth for so long.

James has been astonishingly consistent throughout his remarkable career, and, all things considered, has had a durability that is nearly second to none.

It is also important to note how well he makes those around him look. In comparison to most NBA players ever, LeBron’s uncanny ability to make other players shine truly sets him apart. Granted his bulky size allows him to generally drive into the paint with ease, he is always considerate about setting up his teammates with good looks.

Of course, in view of factors like this, it validates why the man has collected four MVPs during his career. James’ presence alone gives his team such an advantage because his own high standards have oftentimes caused others to raise their own standards to new heights. Thus, it makes sense in terms of why his teams have made it far in the postseason on numerous occasions.

Despite that, though, James’ first season as a member of the Lakers did not turn out so well. The storied franchise missed the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year. Alas, that unsightly mark set a record for the 16-time world champions.

Moreover, the three-time world champion dealt with an injury this past season that was unlike any other he previously experienced. As a result, he only participated in 55 games for Los Angeles, which was a career-low for the Ohio native.

It is also important to consider his overall impact during the 2018-19 campaign. While James put together stellar numbers, one thing became increasingly clear as time progressed. His defensive effort was not always up to par.

Sure, it is fair to bear in mind that LeBron is getting no younger. At the same time, given his elite status, it is every bit as fair to be somewhat critical of the baller.

Simply put, his athleticism is not quite as sharp as it once was. His lateral quickness was not always there at times, and it led to many players being able to juke James out with the basketball. Therefore, LBJ would look a bit funky here and there, which is never ideal when many deem you the best hoops player around.

Given those various factors and more, James is in uncharted territory at the moment. Via Rob Mahoney of Sports Illustrated, the leader of the Lakers is no longer the world’s best basketball player.

Yes, that is not a typo or something along those parameters. For the first time since SI started doing this top 100 list, James was not placed at the top of said list.

Corey Hansford of Lakers Nation transcribed Mahoney’s thoughts on the matter. Per his transcription of the SI article, the demotion was based on a variety of elements.

"“Budging LeBron James from the top of this ranking—a spot he has occupied since the inception of SI’s Top 100 in 2013—required a confluence of factors.”"

For example, Mahoney noted that LBJ was involved in the “alienation” of his teammates this past year. Frankly, it is difficult to construct an argument against that claim.

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For instance, there were multiple instances where the world-class athlete would separate himself from team huddles. Even if he was irked for a certain reason, it does not excuse his relatively childish, aloof behavior.

Plus, who can forget his stance involving the vast majority of his teammates around the trade deadline? James did not really care a whole lot about who would need to be traded in order to acquire Anthony Davis. On account of this, the Lakers were not as closely knit as a unit and it showed for the remainder of the season.

The Sports Illustrated article also raised a reasonable point regarding who deserves to be ahead of James in the rankings. Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and new L.A. Clipper Kawhi Leonard are the lone pair slated above LeBron.

At this juncture, the magazine probably made the right decision. Of course, LeBron is a much more accomplished player career wise, but the other two are arguably better two-way players right now. Not to mention the fact that Giannis and Kawhi are both younger and thus have more left in the tank.

It is not plausible to say LBJ is amid a massive decline. Nevertheless, one could argue he is slowing down a little bit and it is sensible given that he is entering his 17th season. Few make it that far in general and fewer in league history have remained elite at that stage of their careers.

When last season is examined, too, one could also contend the future Hall of Famer was exposed. The Western Conference is deeper than the Eastern Conference he was formerly a part of, so the level of competition his Lakers were up against was greater than what he previously dealt with.

Without a doubt, the Chosen One remains in a class of his own. When healthy, what he can do on a basketball court is truly amazing. He is perhaps about as well-rounded of a player there is and is an absolute freak of nature physically.

Albeit some may think James’ ranking is preposterous, nobody should get too caught up in it. It is all subjective and James is still a dominant, bona fide superstar.

Now that LBJ has more help, it could boost the Lakers’ playoff hopes this upcoming year. Assuming the team has a successful year, it is not impossible to think LeBron could be slid back into that No. 1 category.