The debate surrounding LeBron James' GOAT status has raged on for a while now. Some argue that the Los Angeles Lakers superstar has done enough do earn the title, while others still lean on Michael Jordan as the greatest player in history (others are also mentioned in this debate).
No matter which side of the fence you stand on in this discussion, there is no denying that both pushed the NBA to new heights of prosperity.
James and the Lakers find themselves in the NBA Finals after winning each of the first three series in five games. It's the first time in 10 years the Lakers have reached the NBA's biggest stage, but will they be able to claim a 17th championship? And what would that mean for James with regards to this GOAT argument?
One of LeBron's close friends believes that winning this year's title would cement his legacy as the greatest player in league history:
“These Finals aren’t about LeBron versus the Heat,” said one person who’s known LeBron personally for years, via The Athletic. “These Finals are about his legacy. If he wins, it cements him as the G.O.A.T.”
This would be title No. 4 for LeBron James, and he would have at least one with three different teams. Interestingly enough, James will be facing his former team in the Finals: the Miami Heat. As most hoops fans know, The King won a pair of championships with Miami under head coach Erik Spoelstra (2012 and 2013). LeBron would later leave the Heat in favor of returning to his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers, but his efforts are still appreciated by most in Miami. Now, by some strange twist of fate, the two sides are pitted against one another.
So … does James have any extra motivation in facing his former team? He says no:
“Absolutely not,” James told reporters Tuesday, via TheScore. “There's no extra meaning to winning a championship no matter who you're playing against. It's already hard enough to even reach The Finals.”
Despite the fact that he's playing in his 17th season, LeBron James is showing little to no signs of regression. In fact, he led the entire NBA in assists during the regular season, racking up a whopping 10.2 per game. The Akron native has always been known as a great facilitator, but this was his first time leading the league in assists.
And so the stage is set — LeBron James vs. the team he won his first championship with. Fans won't have to wait much longer for this matchup, as Game 1 is scheduled to tip at 9:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday night.
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