Over the past 18 years, LeBron James has put on a display of greatness unlike anything we’ve ever seen before.
As a 17x All-Star, 17x All-NBA player, and 4x NBA Champion, “King” James has more than earned the respect of his peers.
But is he feared as much as guys like Jordan and Kobe were?
In a segment of First Take, the topic of fear came up on the show, becoming a discussion about whether or not players today truly “fear” LeBron James.
“It had me thinking because in all the years that I’ve covered the league, we talk about the Jordan’s of the world, the Kobe’s of the world, people like that. You saw LeBron when he first came into the league, you saw LeBron when they got to the Finals, they were facing, taking pictures, and being jovial and all of that other stuff,” said Stephen A.
“LeBron James is too phenomenal and too great not to be incredibly respected, but in my estimation, from the people that I’ve spoken to covering the league, he’s never been feared.”
The conversation came in the aftermath of LeBron’s scuffle with 20-year old Detroit big man, Isaiah Stewart. The rage at which Stewart charged at James was truly unprecedented, and obviously prompted some questions about both of the players involved.
“A lot of times, when we think about MJ for example, what ultimately comes up short is the level of fear that was instilled in him. You didn’t mess with MJ. You didn’t come at MJ like that. You didn’t do stuff like that. With LeBron, you believe you could take him. You believe he could be had. Throughout the league, those are all the things that I’ve consistently heard.”
Stephen A. made some solid points, but they were quickly shot down by JJ Redick, who argued against everything Mr. Smith said.
“To say that LeBron, who has won four Championships, multiple league MVPs, made the Finals eight straight times… to say he’s not feared by players? That’s crazy.
… you think people want to go into a playoff series against LeBron?”
Michael Jordan had a unique aura about him, there’s no question about that. His relentless attitude and fearless are still talked about today,
LeBron has much of those same qualities, sure, but the way he interacts with other players is completely different and it might give some folk a certain impression about him.
But if JJ’s comments show us anything, it’s that nobody wants to go up against the King, and that’s got to count for something.
