LeBron James is one of the most influential players of all-time. Throughout his career, James has opened ways for other NBA superstars to follow in his footsteps and take more control than ever over their careers in the league.
If LeBron hadn’t decided to join and form a superteam with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, players wouldn’t have as much leverage in free agency as they have now. There are many other instances that we can count by which LeBron has impacted the careers of other players.
As per NBA analyst Nick Wright, even among those players, LeBron James has impacted the careers of Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant more than any other player in the league.
"As is often the case with modern NBA history, LeBron walked so others could run."
— @getnickwright on why Steph winning Finals MVP even if the Warriors lose the series is the only fair result: pic.twitter.com/2b9FPu3trQ
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) June 14, 2022
“It’s the only fair result. Listen, as often is the case with modern NBA history, LeBron walked so others could run. LeBron came within a vote of being the first-ever unanimous MVP, then Steph could be. LeBron left a team that was of championship caliber to go try do it elsewhere, so now Kevin Durant can do the same thing.”
He continued, “And now, if Steph Curry, who’s been averaging 34 a game, whose been the best player in the series – would anybody argue anyone other than Steph Curry? Now we’re not to the end yet. But if this thing goes seven, and Steph continues to average 30+ points and no Celtic really seizes control, then of course Steph should win it. I am consistent on this, it should go to the clearly and obviously best player in the series, assuming the series was close. So yeah, Steph should be Finals MVP if this keeps up. Unless they put in the rules. “it must go to the winning team,” and I don’t think they have, then yes. He should be.”
Wright used the example of when James decided to leave the Miami Heat and make his return to the Cavaliers to bring an NBA Championship to them. Moreover, LeBron was close to becoming the first-ever unanimous league MVP but missed by just a vote.
These situations that James faced helped players like KD and Steph tackle them easily when they were in similar ones.
Now, as Wright pointed out, Curry is once again in a similar situation in which James was back in the 2015 NBA Finals. Although the Warriors should win the 2022 NBA Finals and Steph should win his first NBA Finals MVP, even if the Dubs fail to win, Steph should be the finals MVP.
James should have won the 2015 NBA Finals MVP award, but he didn’t. Hopefully, the league won’t make a similar mistake once again.
