The G.O.A.T., the
Greatest Of All Time. When one thinks of the
greatest player to ever touch a basketball many names pop up. Kobe Bryant, Bill
Russell, Jerry West, Pistol Pete, Isaiah Thomas, Gary Payton, Hakeem Olajuwon,
Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Shaq, Julius “The
Doctor” Erving, Tim Duncan, Wilt Chamberlain, and maybe none more mentioned
than Michael Jordan. There are so many more players that are deserving of the
title “The G.O.A.T.”, but those are some to name a few, but I believe that
there is one player that could become “The G.O.A.T.” That player I believe
could be none other than LeBron James. Before all the Kobe and KD fans groan,
sigh, roll their eyes, and think I’m dumb, let me explain why. LeBron from what
I have witnessed and seen in the past is the best all-around player to ever
play the game. He can shoot; drive, pass, play defense, and most importantly lead.
LeBron
has developed a pretty decent Jump shot, as said in sports science, LeBron last
year had a better catch and shoot percentage than Ray Allen, in my opinion one
of the greatest shooters of all time. LeBron
had a career best field goal percentage last year as well, and as proven in
game 7 of the 2013 NBA Finals LeBron only shot Jump shots against the San
Antonio Spurs not one field goal in the paint. LeBron has also hit various game
winning shots like in the game where Miami had a tough game against a very good
Golden State Warriors team, where LeBron hit the game winning three pointer
over Andre Iguodala, one of the top small forwards in the league. He also hit
the game winning lay-up against the Indiana Pacers over Paul George, another
top small forward in the league.
I believe currently, when LeBron has the “hot hand” going
into a game, no one can guard him. I believe that it does not matter if you put
Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Paul George, Michael Jordan, no one can guard him.
LeBron is so quick as well that not even player much stronger and bigger than
him can guard him. LeBron is also physically imposing standing at 6’8’’ about
250 pounds, the players that are fast enough to keep up with him, can’t guard
him as well due to that he can blow right past them. As also stated in sports science LeBron can
get across a whole NBA court in 9 strides where as for the average NBA player
it takes 12. LeBron can jump really high too; he averages 6.6 rebounds per
game, and as also said in sports science, he can get up higher than a normal
NBA center making his rebound chances higher.
I think the one attribute that LeBron has out of his many
that separates him for the other athletes, is his defense. No one in NBA his
has been able to guard every position from point guard to center like LeBron can.
LeBron is quick enough guard point guards, shooting guards, and the athletic small
forwards. Though he is quick he is big and strong enough to guard power
forwards and centers. Not even Jordan, or Kobe, or any other player, and
certainly not KD can guard all five positions. This is the attribute that makes
me believe that LeBron has the potential of becoming the Greatest Of All Time. Even
though LeBron shoots a very high percentage, and puts up more than 25 points
per game, he is incredibly unselfish. I’ve seen LeBron pass up shots he can
totally make to players that can get an easier shot and keep everyone involved.
As he said many times he tries to look for the best play regardless if it
involves him scoring or someone else. His career averages are 6.1 assist per
game, that’s a lot for a player in his position whose focus is to rebound and
score. The average small forward averages about 3 assists per game, and LeBron
averages more than double the average.
LeBron has another great ability which is to lead. As
seen in the games he played with the Miami Heat. Ever since the Big Three
formed, which consisted of the players Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and of course
LeBron James, The Heat were the team to beat. Everyone wanted to beat the Heat,
and during the Big Three Era, he led the Heat to 4 straight NBA Finals
appearances, and out of those four he led the Heat to 2 NBA Championships. Then
with the young Cavaliers group he is currently with, he is seen coaching
players, yelling out plays from the bench. What I also respect about LeBron is
that he is incredibly humble. In his Facebook page you see the charity events
he holds for kids and families in Akron Ohio, LeBron’s hometown. In his Facebook
page or social media one doesn’t find photos of him partying, drinking beer,
etc. I believe he is a great role model for kids as he was and still is for me.
LeBron to me has the potential to be the G.O.A.T. I
believe that if he leads this young Cavaliers team to at least one NBA
Championship, the first for his hometown, I believe it will establish himself
as the G.O.A.T. Many would argue the
G.O.A.T. is Kobe, or Jordan, or even Kevin Durant. I think we should just stop
arguing about whose best and just appreciate all the talent of the League and
all the great moments that witnessed in the past and in the present and look
forward to the future. Although if the moment comes that one discusses whose
the G.O.A.T. then LeBron is the dude I’m rolling with.
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