LeBron James chose the iconic No.23 in hopes emulating his idol, Michael Jordan, and had a tattoo engraved on his back which read ‘The Chosen One’.
But it seems LeBron’s quest to imitate and eventually surpass his teen hero would be vanquished forever if the Cleveland Cavaliers succumb to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.
A prodigy who took America by storm with his mind-boggling performances as an 18-year-old in high school, James was bestowed the honor of being the next Michael Jordan – how the mighty have fallen, eh?
Although both Jordan and James struggled early through their careers, it was their never-say-die attitude that, when amalgamated with their unwavering desire to be the best at what they do, propelled them to heights unparalled in basketball.
Despite suffering heartbreaking losses in the 1988, 1989 and 1990 Eastern Conference Finals to the ‘Bad Boys’ Detroit Pistons, Jordan’s self-belief never floundered.
Likewise, James had to endure being swept by the mighty and well-oiled San Antonio Spurs juggernaut in the 2007 Finals, to go along with his team’s self-obliteration at the hands of the unfancied Orlando Magic in the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals.
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But where Jordan went on to sit atop of the NBA pedestal on six different occasions – never failing to return empty handed upon reaching the Finals – LeBron has had to endure a bittersweet ride during the course of his eight (and counting) trips to the NBA’s championship round.
Given a pass in 2007 and 2014 for not having a competitive enough roster to compete against the Spurs, his meltdown in 2011 against the unlikely Dallas Mavericks, when James turned from the ‘Chosen One’ to the ‘Frozen One’, is a dark chapter he will have attached to his portfolio forever.
It was only wins in 2012 and 2013, against the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio, that have garnered James some respite for failing to deliver in the clutch.
Fast forward to 2016, and James delivered arguably the most befitting reply to his naysayers by coming back from a 3-1 deficit (never accomplished in the NBA Finals before) to win his third NBA championship. This against a Golden State Warriors team that had compiled the greatest single NBA season in history.
Now, a year later, James finds himself staring down the barrel of another Finals loss, with his Cavaliers down 3-1 to a much revamped Warriors. LeBron put in a Herculean effort to deny the Warriors last year, but this year, with the addition of Kevin Durant, they seem like bloodhounds. Despite being effective on both ends of the floor, James has struggled during the closing moments of games – a narrative all too well known to his critics.
A series loss will put James’ career Finals record at 3-5, which pales in comparison to the 6-0 record Jordan accomplished, making comparisons to the legendary Bull a bridge too far – even for a player of James’ stature.
By the time James hangs up his boots, he might have more Finals losses than Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
His only chance of redemption? Defeat these Warriors, after being down 3-0, and the ghost of Chicago might well be in the Ohio native’s rear mirror.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
In this finals you have a team sporting the greatest player in the game currently against the greatest team in the game currently. It's rare that the team with the great player will defeat the great team. In the Warriors we are talking about a team that last season got the record for the best ever regular season record, and then went on to add an NBA MVP player to that roster for this season. There's certainly no shame in Lebron losing to that team. And he's done plenty to try and avoid that happening, but it may be too much for him. It does often look like he's feeling the need to carry the team so much through the first three quarters that he doesn't have anything left for the fourth quarter. And that's certainly a place where Jordan has his measure. Jordan was adept at pulling out performances where he just did everything and played pretty much every minute of the game, seemed dead on his feet in the fourth quarter and yet, despite that, still managed to pull out incredible fourth quarter performances to get his team across the line. I doubt he ever faced a team as completely stacked as the Warriors are this year though. But it's a different era, they are different players. James is certainly a player to be considered among the all-time greats of the game, that's not in question at all. And out of all those all-time greats, calling the GOAT is always going to be subjective, different people will have different opinions, but Jordan will probably stand tall upon the heap for some time yet.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Wow.talk about not appreciating talent. What a bitter article
Carl
Guest
Basketball is a team sport. LeBron is one player in that team. The team wins, the individual(s) helps that team to win. He is just one player. He relies on his team mates to win the game too. If you have a better structure, better coaches, better players, better administration than the opponent then more often than not the better team wins. MJ had a better team throughout his career than LBJ has. MJ is the better player. Stats may dispute that; but its just an opinion. Like yours. After his career is over, LeBron will be satisfied with his stature in the game. Hall of Fame, Championships, MVP's, wealth etc. As long as he is happy in himself, he need not worry about what others think oh him. Its easier hiding in the seats, than in the spotlight of the court of public opinion.
Mitcher
Guest
Does LB actually want to 'imitate' Mike? I may be recalling wrong, but I would've thought his recent and very humble comments on the topic suggested otherwise. Admirably, he explained he idolised MJ, and looked up to him, but ultimately wanted to carve his own path. Of course the fans will debate the 'GOAT' but I think it's inaccurate you characterise the individual himself as trying to 'chase' this ghost.