It’s no longer an extreme nor a troll-like position to suggest that LeBron James isn’t the best player in the National Basketball Association. After missing more games than he ever has in his career and failing to make the postseason for the first time since 2006, LeBron’s reputation among the league’s stars has understandably taken a fall among the preseason player rankings.
Both Sports Illustrated and ESPN put LeBron at No. 3 in their rankings of the Top 100 players, but ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith believes LeBron is still the best player in the league no matter last season’s results.
Although LeBron had a rough season last year with his health, he still had fantastic numbers by averaging over 27 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists in 55 games of action. Missing time definitely hurt him and the Lakers, which can’t happen again if they are to make the playoffs. However, LeBron did prove that while he was on the court the Lakers have to be reckoned with during the limited time he was healthy last season. With Anthony Davis next to him, LeBron has to prove that he’s still got it once again this season.
