Austin Reaves didn’t hold back when talking about LeBron James’ legacy. On The Young Man & The Three, the Lakers guard said LeBron could’ve retired six years ago and still been considered the greatest player ever, insisting that his only motivation now is love for the grind.
“In my opinion, he’s the best player to ever touch a basketball,” Reaves said. “He probably could have retired six years ago and people would still say the same thing. He has enough money regardless of what he was saying on that podcast the other day. He has enough money. The only reason he’s still playing basketball is because he loves the grind. He loves the game. He wants to continue to get better.”
The NBA GOAT debate will always be subjective, as the criteria for greatness differ for everyone. For some, Michael Jordan is the greatest for going 6-0 in the Finals as a five-time MVP. His greatness was matched only by his fame, which reached heights never before seen by an NBA athlete.
For others, Kobe Bryant is the greatest for his championships, legacy, and unrelenting work ethic during his career. While his resume may fall short compared to other GOAT candidates, his attitude helped him make the most out of his career, even during times when his team was not in the title picture.
For Reaves, however, the GOAT debate is already over and LeBron James has won. With career averages of 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game on 51.3% shooting, his impact is undeniable. As a four-time champion across three different franchises, LeBron has succeeded under various circumstances and he’s expected to keep the Lakers relevant again this season.
Even at 40 years old, with 22 years of experience, James will be getting the full star treatment in Los Angeles. Coming off last campaign, where he put up 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game, there’s no doubt he can still deliver at a superstar level and it’s set a new standard for NBA longevity.
Given all that he’s accomplished over the past two decades, and the continued trajectory of his career, it’s safe to say that LeBron’s GOAT case has never been stronger and no other player has come closer to challenging Jordan’s position. Even if he retired in 2019, his resume would be enough to hold up with some of the greatest in basketball history.
Still, James’ story is not yet over. As retirement looms, LeBron is dedicated to playing at least one more season. If he can play up to his usual standards, the Lakers will have a chance to beat anyone in the West. It also helps to have Luka Doncic on his side, who will seize control of most of the scoring load. While some doubt their place in the West, they have the depth and star power to compete assuming that LeBron James stays healthy throughout.
For Austin Reaves, the GOAT conversation was finished years ago, and nothing LeBron does now can take away from that legacy. What matters is that he still wakes up every day wanting to compete, wanting to train, and wanting to prove something to himself. That passion for the grind is what separates him, and it’s why his teammates continue to speak so highly of him. Even if the debates will always go on, LeBron has already cemented his place in basketball history, and Reaves knows he’s watching the game’s greatest player finish out his career on his own terms.
