A few years back I wrote on the possibility that LeBron James would one day eclipse Michael Jordan as the consensus choice for basketball’s ever-important Greatest of All Time title.
It was more of a statement about our collective tendency to forget the past and give greater weight to the remarkable feats we were witness to, than a definitive argument that James is a better basketball player than Jordan. I’m not one for definitive arguments, especially when comparing different eras. Frankly, it’s just exhausting.
But, regardless, the story attracted a great amount of heat.
Few debates in sports get as red hot as GOAT discussions. The main argument against me was that, a) it was way too early to predict what LeBron would become, and b) the man simply doesn’t have the same will to win that Jordan did (whatever that means).
At the time, James only had one title — although, he was months away from his second. Still, his numbers were already comparable to Jordan’s. But I tucked the argument away for some time, and even found myself questioning it with the magical rise of Steph Curry and the Warriors.
Then, on Sunday, James and the Cavaliers completed one of the best Finals comebacks in sports history. The Chosen One made a bold statement, pinning it high on the backboard where he blocked Andre Idguodala’s late-game lay-up attempt, flying across the court to help secure the City of Cleveland’s first major championship in 52 years. They became the first team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit in the Finals. LeBron’s redemption was complete. He left Cleveland reviled and returned as a hero. (I explored James’ relationship with the city in this Sportsnet magazine feature.)
Along with making NBA history, the Cavs comeback has also forced us to revisit the GOAT conversation.
In the past, much was made about James’ inability to close out in the Finals. This time, on the edge of elimination, James scored 41 points in Games 5 and 6 to force the winner-take-all showdown. In Game 7, James put up a triple-double, with 27 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. In the series he led all players in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks—the first player ever to do that.
He currently has the highest all-time playoff win share, at 41.58 — just ahead of the No. 2 man, Michael Jordan, at 39.76.
And if you want to count rings, fine. Jordan won four of his six titles after his 30th birthday. At 31, James has three. Considering he’s led his team to the NBA Finals for six straight seasons, it’s a good bet that he’ll get a chance to add a few more.
The debate will rage on and on through the next decade. One day we might come to a definitive answer, though my guess is it will remain incredibly close. James is currently No. 2 in lifetime Player Efficiency Rating at 27.65—second only to Jordan’s career mark of 27.91.
Nothing is definitive, yet. LeBron’s legacy is still unfolding. But one point is no longer up for discussion: James is racing into Jordan territory, and he’s on the heels of all-time greatness now.