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LeBron James’ place among all-time Lakers greats in the GOAT debate

By Simon Brady

Oct 11, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) smiles while holding the MVP trophy after game six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena. The Los Angeles Lakers won 106-93 to win the series. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) smiles while holding the MVP trophy after game six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena. The Los Angeles Lakers won 106-93 to win the series. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

LeBron James:

  • Second greatest of all-time
  • Greatest to ever play for the Los Angeles Lakers

The NBA supernova that is LeBron James became the best player in the game shortly after the 2005-2006 season when he dragged the dreadful Cleveland Cavaliers to the playoffs for the first time in his career in year three.

Fast forward 14 years later, through a series of turnover and shifts in the league and it’s makeup, he is still top one in the league. He’s simply been the best basketball player for the longest period of time due to a healthy combination of size & strength, speed, athleticism, skill, and most notably for his sustained success this deep into his career IQ, work ethic and durability. All A+ attributes.

The late great Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and maybe Dwyane Wade, are the only players who can say they’ve been in the same top tier with LeBron at certain points throughout his career.

His team mobility throughout his career has also shown us no one has a greater impact on a franchise’s success upon arriving and huge drop in success once he leaves said franchise.

A resume that seems fit for a spot at number one on this list instead of two. There’s certainly an argument to be had and the drastic difference in eras will always be the huge roadblock to complete clarity in this discussion.

But, among all the finals success LeBron has, the ultimate measure of greatness and ultimate reasoning for playing the game is winning (after money). With six finals losses, and the greatest collapse by a superstar in finals history in 2011, where the likes of Jason Terry and JJ Barea legitimately outplayed him down the stretch to complete the unthinkable upset, is a blemish that can’t be ignored when the other guy has a perfect finals record.

Coupled with the fact that the man was still first-team all-defense at the age LeBron is currently at while he’s far from that, while still leading the league in scoring en route to titles, forces me to still give the now more slight nod to MJ.

However, a fifth title for LeBron would certainly close the gap even further depending on its circumstances. The circumstances of this most recent title are not close to impressive enough to catapult him over Jordan. Sorry LeBron stans out there, at least the jury is still out.

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