LeBron James has always been a polarizing player. Some people love him, so hate him, but numbers just don’t lie. Yes, his haters may point out his losing record in the Finals, but he sits among the top of most all-time rankings in NBA history.
Thing is, it seems like everybody holds LeBron James accountable when things don’t go his way, but his doubters refuse to give him any credit when he dominates.
LeBron James has been a prime example of durability and consistency since entering the league in 2003 and even though he’s still playing at the highest level, people talk about him as if he were washed.
That’s why, for the sake of the argument, today we’re going to compare his final MVP season when he was in his prime to this current season:
2013 MVP LeBron James
26.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 7.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.4 3PM, 56% FG, 40% 3FG, 75% FT
LeBron James and the Miami Heat entered the season as the defending Champions after beating the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Finals. However, they weren’t going to sleep on the laurels of triumph and were on a mission to win back-to-back Championships.
James led the Heat to a 66-16 record and the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference. Also, they recorded the second-longest winning streak in NBA history with 27 straight victories. They swept the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, beat the Chicago Bulls in 5 games, and then the Indiana Pacers in 7 games.
Then, the Heat ended up winning an epic Finals matchup in 7 games vs. the San Antonio Spurs. James ended up winning the regular season MVP and the Finals MVP as well. He was on the best level of his career and it seemed like the Heat were going to be the league’s next dynasty.
2020 “Washed” LeBron James
25.7 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 10.6 APG, 1.2 SPG, 2.2 3PM, 49% FG, 34% 3FG, 69% FT
People were already ruling out LeBron James before the start of the season. They claimed he was getting old and that he was coming off the worst injury of his career after hurting his groin last year. Once again, the King proved them wrong.
James formally played as his team’s point guard for the first time in his career. The result? a league-high 10.6 dimes per game and a lock to win his first-ever Assists Title. Also, the Lakers clinched their first playoff berth since 2013.
Before the pause, the Lakers were sitting at the top of the Western Conference with a 49-14 record with impressive wins over the Milwaukee Bucks, and Los Angeles Clippers. All led by James’ scoring, playmaking, and rejuvenated defensive commitment.
He did all this in his 17th season in the league with people calling him washed and most of the media deeming Giannis Antetokunmpo as the MVP. This was 7 years apart from his last MVP-winning season, yet his numbers barely changed at all. Also, he logged 3 30-point triple-doubles at age 35, which is one more than Kobe Bryant ever did.
Conclusion
Obviously, we hold LeBron James to a much higher standard than most NBA players in the history of the game. I mean, it seems like we’re just taking him from granted and waiting for the first chance to take a swing at him.
James has maintained his level through 17 seasons while most NBA players can’t stay in the league for more than 6. He averages 27.1 points per game per his career, yet people don’t view him as a ‘pure scorer’. That’s just how great he is.
We’re so used to LeBron James dominating all aspects of the game that it seems like a 25-point, 10-assist season isn’t impressive anymore even though he’s 35 years old. LeBron is aging like a fine wine and it seems like he could play until his 40s if he continues to take care of his body and mind the way he does.
So, let’s stop this narrative once and for all. LeBron isn’t washed and he still has some great years of basketball left in the tank. He’s just embraced a different role in his career and taken a step back to make Anthony Davis the new face of the franchise because he knows he’ll be the one that leads them when he’s no longer on the team.
Put some respect on the King’s name.
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