The 2014-2015 NBA finals have once again brought up heated discussions about LeBron James’ legacy. This time, though, the arguments for – and against – have a lot more merit.
LeBron James’ return to his home city of Cleveland came with much fanfare as he joined forces with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love to form a new ‘Big Three’. Hopes of bringing the city of Cleveland it’s first major sporting championship since the Browns won the 1964 NFL Championship game skyrocketed.
Against all odds the Cavaliers have managed to play well, despite season-ending injuries to Irving and Love. They win the first two games of the finals series thanks largely to the supreme talent and drive of James and the gritty play of role players such as Matthew Dellavedova.
James’ detractors have pointed out in the past that he had to join forces with fellow superstars such as Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade to win a championship, but what ammunition will they use to disparage LeBron James’ achievements if he is able to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a championship? His best sidekicks in the finals have been Dellavedova and Timofey Mozgov.
Putting up statistically better numbers than the likes of both Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant and playing with less stellar teammates, a win in this finals series, along with his previous achievements, would for the first time open up valid discussions for LeBron’s rise up the GOAT list.
However, a loss in this series must also fall on James’ shoulders just like a victory would. In the same way that a Cavaliers championship win would highlight a career full of fantastic achievements, a loss would also bring into question again things such as slight tendencies to disappear when his teams have needed him the most.
For example, in the recent Game 4 in Cleveland, Mozgov top scored with 28 points along with 10 rebounds, but James was held to 20 points while collecting 12 rebounds and providing eight assists. While those statistics are nothing to shake your head at, at 2-1 up and with a chance to all but seal the victory in the series at home the Cavaliers desperately needed more on the scoreboard from ‘King James’.
Concessions must be made for the injuries Cleveland has had to deal with resulting in coach David Blatt using a seven-man rotation and the Golden State Warriors quite frankly under performing compared to their regular season form, but at the end of the day history will remember results.
The finals may be swinging in the favour of the Warriors now, but LeBron James’ legacy as one of the greatest players of all time or the greatest is also dependent on the final result.
Machooka
Roar Guru
@ pete bloor You know... I was thinking when I was writing that some-one would make comment of that young bloke from the windy city. So well done... as you're it buddy :) Now... as to not duck, or weave too much while on this point I did say... like Cartman would say... "with authority." !!! LBJ is a freight train on his way to the hole... whereas MJ could be, if he wished, but, in general, was far more masterful when in the air as to what options he may take to score on you. One is more brute force... while one is a thing of beauty. Further, I'll always regret that LBJ never competed in the NBA SlamDunk contest... unlike Michael. It would've been great to see what he do... you know, just to put a marker down. And funny, as Petar's article is about 'legacy'... maybe this is the ONLY thing missing from LBJ's legacy, eh ? Gotta say... 'cause I was there, and are in all the vision... Vince Carter's 'dunk of death' at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Nothing touches that... NOTHING. Ciao... and thanks for jogging some good memories, Pete.
pete bloor
Guest
There was a young lad that played at the bulls that some would say was very handy at putting the ball on the floor and attacking the rim.
Machooka
Roar Guru
With-out a doubt... it's all the way with LBJ. He is the man... and YOU ain't if you disagree. There has never ever been a player that can put ball to floor, and take it to the rack with such authority... no one. He would be the first player picked on any team, anywhere on the planet, at any time... he's just that good. Love him or hate... you can't ignore him. I hate him :)
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
So Lebron almost got another triple double in game 4, but only managed 20 points, and that points to him going missing? James and Dellevedova just about killed themselves in game 3 and ended up in hospital on drips to try to help them recover and then had to come back for more just 2 days later. Any time they were on the bench, including timeouts, there were support staff constantly working on their legs, trying to remove the jelly-like feelings I'm guessing, and try to keep them from cramping up. It's pretty amazing he was able to produce close to the performance he did on the back of that. The way he's carried this team so far beyond where they should have been able to go, and at one point take a lead in the series against a team many predicted would comfortably sweep the series, is phenomenal, even if they then lose in 6. Win or lose from here, I don't think James has done anything but enhance his reputation in this finals series. It's shown him just come up with superhuman effort after superhuman effort.