In a segment on ‘The BIG Podcast,’ Shaquille O’Neal served up his latest hot take regarding LeBron James and his place among the all-time greats. Speaking specifically on fear factor, Shaq explained that LeBron doesn’t invoke the same kind of dread as other superstars did when it was time to play against them.
“I’ve heard players say, including myself, ‘I feared [Michael Jordan].’ I’ve heard players in [Mario Chalmers’s] generation say they feared Kobe,” said O’Neal. “I’ve never really heard any player say they feared LeBron.”
Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant were notorious for their “killer” approach to the game, which often involved a ruthless attack at the competition. Unlike Lebron James, those guys were always out for blood and did not hesitate to push aside anyone in their way.
If you look at LeBron, his desire to please everyone and become friends with even his greatest basketball foes has eliminated the fear factor for his own career and it has changed the way that opponents view going up against him.
Of course, Shaquille O’Neal is not the only one to notice this. Last year, Gilbert Arenas argued the same point as he explained why LeBron James and Nikola Jokic are different kinds of competitors than Jordan, Kobe, and Allen Iverson. Former NFL champion James Jones also argued that Dillon Brooks challenging LeBron in 2023 is proof that players are not scared of him at all.
Whatever the case, the records show that LeBron James is more likely to befriend the competition than go at them and while some may not agree with the approach, it has served him well enough in 20+ years so far.
Is LeBron James Better Than Kobe And Jordan?
While LeBron James may not be as fear-inducing as other NBA legends, his resume speaks for itself when it comes to his place among the greats. As a 4x champion, 4x MVP, and 20x All-Star, LeBron isn’t just one of the best players in the modern age — he’s one of the greatest players in history.
As for whether he’s definitively better than Kobe and Jordan, that depends on who you ask. After 20+ years of greatness and a spotless track record as the face of the league, many would argue he has already proven that he belongs in the highest possible tier of player.
While Kobe wins in areas such as mid-range shooting, leadership, and mental fortitude, LeBron has him beat in other areas that include longevity, playmaking, and scoring around the rim. LeBron, while guilty of building superteams, never played with a teammate as good as Shaq in his career.
With Michael Jordan, LeBron has even less of an argument but his achievements, accolades, and his place as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer are enough to at least get him in the conversation.
Fortunately for James, his story is still being written and he has a chance to add even more to his resume before it’s all said and done. Whether he’s feared or not, LeBron’s career will go down as a massive success and it’s proof that you don’t need to make enemies with your fellow players to beat them on the court time and time again.
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