LeBron James has to three-peat with the Lakers to eclipse Michael Jordan

LeBron James can surpass Michael Jordan as the GOAT, it’ll just take some work.

Ah, so that’s why LeBron James chose LA.

LeBron James knew that if he were to catch and eventually surpass Michael Jordan, he would have to do it in one of the biggest cities — with the most spotlight — playing for the most iconic franchise in NBA history.

LeBron just won, perhaps, the most challenging title of his career. And in the immediate aftermath of the NBA Finals, selfishly, all I could say to myself was, “OK, what’s next?”

Sure, you won a fourth title, but can you win a fifth? A sixth? Maybe even a seventh?

LeBron should blame himself for these questions, and moving forward, only he and the Los Angeles Lakers can answer them.

After all, it was LeBron who decided to wear the No.23 entering the NBA. LeBron said that he was “chasing the ghost and that ghost played in Chicago.”

LeBron stated he felt he was the greatest player of all time after reflecting on overcoming a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors in 2016. (Teams were 0-32 when trailing 3-1 in the Finals).

No matter how hard he tries to downplay the comparison between him and MJ, his actions and words are why it’s such a polarizing topic.

If you’ve ever debated this topic, you fall into one of three categories: No, LeBron is not the GOAT, he still has work to do, or he will never be the GOAT.

I’m in the “he still has work to do” camp. LeBron has to win six rings before being considered the greatest ever over “his Airness.” Not five, six.

Let’s say the Lakers make it to and win the next two NBA Finals — I know I’m getting ahead of myself — that would make his record 6-6 on the biggest stage.

6-6 is more impressive to me than 6-0.

I get the argument for why Jordan is the GOAT; believe me, I do. It’s hard to argue against perfection.

Jordan made six trips to the Finals in 15 years — even though his most ardent fans try their hardest to pretend his two years with the Washington Wizards didn’t exist — winning all six tries and taking home Finals MVP honors all six times.

LeBron is fresh off his 10th Finals appearance. He spent the entirety of the past decade (last year withstanding) vying for the Larry O’ Brien trophy. Two more trips will bring him to a total of 12, which will tie him with Bill Russell for most Finals appearances by a player, doubling Jordan in the process.

Can you imagine at the end of his career if LeBron James plays in 12 Finals in 19 seasons? That means he would have spent 63 percent of his career competing for a championship.

As I’ve said before, Anthony Davis is the biggest reason why I believe LeBron will climb this once insurmountable mountain of tying Jordan in the ring department.

If James can three-peat with the Lakers, I think that accomplishment will be enough to tilt the scale in the GOAT debate in his favor.

There have been three teams in the modern NBA era to win three in a row: the Chicago Bulls led by Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen (they did it on two separate occasions) and the Los Angeles Lakers led by Shaquille O’ Neal and Kobe Bryant.

LeBron is 1/3 of the way there. A three-peat would put him in rarified air and would be the perfect mic drop to an incredible career.

They tried to tell me “The Last Dance” documentary was the final nail in the GOAT debate coffin; I knew better.

While the thought of playing with or against his son, LeBron James Jr., is intriguing, what better way to retire than to three-peat for the most storied franchise in the NBA?