Over the last several years, LeBron James has gradually gained more support in the discussion of who the greatest NBA player of all time is.
He became the league’s leading career scorer nearly two months ago, and he has four championships, four regular-season and NBA Finals MVPs, 19 All-Star selections, 18 All-NBA bids and six All-Defensive team nods to his name.
Buy Lakers TicketsHowever, some hesitate to consider him the greatest ever because of his 4-6 record in the championship series, as well as his tendency to stack his teams in his favor with multiple future Hall of Famers.
It’s why former NBA superstar and current Turner Sports personality Charles Barkley still considers Michael Jordan the best there ever was. In fact, he doesn’t even feel James has surpassed late Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant.
Charles Barkley makes THREE things very clear:
1. Michael Jordan is the GOAT
2. Lebron not only is not 2nd, he's not greater than Kobe Bryant.
3. Lebron stacked his teams and quitters like him who stacked teams and created super teams lessen their legacy. #NBA pic.twitter.com/y6rTzfJ1Xp
— Everyday N'guh✊🏿 (@ApexJones22) April 3, 2023
Unlike James, Bryant won multiple championships without another player named to the NBA’s 75th-anniversary team alongside him.
He did so in 2009 and 2010, and for the second of those two titles, the Lakers got past the Boston Celtics, a squad that had three Hall of Famers, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, plus a possible fourth one, Rajon Rondo.
Still, James’ career isn’t over yet, and with the changes the current Lakers have made lately, he could have a real shot at his fifth ring either this year or next.
