The debate about the greatest player in basketball history has a new twist, with LeBron James saying that the Cleveland Cavaliers’ first NBA title in 2016 allowed him to think of himself as the best of all time.
“That one right there made me the greatest player of all time,” James said in Episode 7 of the eight-part ESPN+ series More Than An Athlete.
The Cavaliers fell behind three games to one against the Golden State Warriors in the Finals before rallying to win the next three games, clinching the first title for Cleveland and fulfilling a promise that James made to the city upon his return.
“The first wave of emotion was when everyone saw me crying, like, that was all for 52 years of everything in sports that’s gone on in Cleveland. And then after I stopped, I was like — that one right there made you the greatest player of all time,” James said.
The debate over basketball’s greatest player — James or Michael Jordan — has raged over many years.
Jordan, who played his college ball at UNC, was a 14-time All-Star who led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles. Meanwhile, James is also a 14-time All-Star and has won three titles between his time with the Cavaliers and Miami Heat.
Carolina basketball, who obviously became aware of this proclamation by James, was quick to point out Jordan’s case for the greatest of all time.
The GOAT debate is unlikely to go away anytime soon. James, who turned 34-years old yesterday, signed a 4-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason and is likely to be in the league for at least a few more years.
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UNC Basketball Responds to LeBron James' GOAT ArgumentThe debate about the greatest player in basketball history has a new twist, with LeBron James saying that the Cleveland Cavaliers’ first NBA title in 2016 allowed him to think of himself as the best of all time. “That one right there made me the greatest player of all time,” James said in Episode 7 […]
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LeBron is very good. But so were Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, Karim Abdul Jabbar, and many others. But Jordan stands out above them all.
The only reason Cleveland won that year is the NBA suspended Draymond Green for game 6 OF THE FINALS for something that no one had been suspended for previously. I think the NBA wanted James/Cleveland to win that series.
I don’t think LeBron James is even the greatest to play for the Lakers, much less the overall Greatest of All Time. Jerry West, Shaquille O’Neal, Will Chamberlain, Karim Abdul Jabbar, and Kobe Bryant make for a tough starting five for LeBron to crack.
Im pretty sure I saw Draymond in game 7… The facts are LeBron spanked those Warriors and sent them home crying. We can make 100 excuses on why Lebron lost to the Warriors but it would be excuses also
Jordan always had plenty of help, LeBron has not had much
You can ask Pippen if Jordan have something to do with hes game. Jordan help to make Pippen the player he was, grant, and other players better. Thats why they win 6 titles. Jordan stay in the bulls and create a championship team. He dont go to the lakers or boston looking foward to win, he just do it because he was the best.