When Are We Allowed to Admit LeBron is the Best?
LeBron James is the best basketball player we have ever seen. Period. You think I’m premature, crazy or ignorant? Fine, don’t agree with me. For those who refuse to admit it, you’ll come to your senses one day. Maybe that day will be today after you read this amazing article, or maybe it will be 20 years from now. Whenever it is, you’ll admit it. Perhaps the words don’t part your lips, but you’ll be thinking them.
At some point, the phrase “LeBron James is the best basketball player ever to play the game” will go from just a main thesis in barbershop arguments to an obvious fact and anyone who disagrees with it will be assumed not only to be ignorant about basketball, but American and even global culture.
We will always take for granted what was only revealed to us by hindsight. But think about this, even when Jordan was in his prime, there had to have been people who claimed that he still wasn’t better than Kareem or Magic or whoever. These critics probably used stats and anecdotes and pie charts. Some of their arguments might have even sounded convincing in 1994. Of course, we later found out those people were stupid and wrong. It’s just the way the world works, there will always be people who like to scrutinize and question conventional wisdom — it makes them feel smart. And there is nothing wrong with questioning things and trying to feel smart. I do it a lot (though I’m not good at it). We actually need more of it, especially when it comes to social issues and picking presidential candidates. But please doubters, for the love of God, take off your hyper-critical lenses for two seconds and just admit that LeBron James is the best athlete you’ve ever seen grace a basketball court. Don’t miss the magnitude of the moment because you’re too busy trying to find “the catch” in all of this. There is no catch. He really is that good.
He really did just take the Cavaliers, a team with a losing record just 2 years ago, to the NBA finals two years in a row. He really did make Steph Curry — a saint in a jersey — drop an f-bomb and throw his saliva-filled mouth piece into the crowd with reckless abandon. He really did come back from 3–1 to win the Finals — something no team has ever done. He really did do it against the best team in the NBA. He really did do it on the road. Cleveland really does have a championship. He really did fulfill his promise.
But not only is he an amazing athlete, LeBron represents more than basketball. His story is about loyalty, arrogance, confusion, redemption, perseverance and ultimately unleashing not only your true potential but everyone‘s
around you. Here’s the difference between Jordan and LeBron: in Jordan’s prime, Disney blessed the world with The Lion King. Well, LeBron James is the Lion King. His hukuna matata lifestyle on South Beach with Timon (Dwyane Wade) and Pumba (Chris Bosh) took him through the necessary growing pains to properly come back to Pride Rock (Cleveland), step into his destiny, and let out a thunderous and victorious roar in the rain (the Block).
If you’ve never thought about the parallels between LeBron and Simba, you’re probably not alone, but I’ll judge your childhood from a distance nonetheless. With my impeccable analogy, I hope you now understand the seriousness of what you’re witnessing — the best basketball player on the planet who is not out of his prime yet. In fact, he just got back to Pride Rock and that should terrify anyone in his path, including the legends that came before him.
“Duh! Of course he’s the best,” says everyone living in 2026. Mark my words, LeBron will be the gold standard the same way Jordan is now. But don’t worry Michael, you’ll always have the shoes, the rings (maybe?) and Space Ja — well maybe not Space Jam. Space Jam 2 is still happening, right? If Space Jam 2 does happen, LeBron will definitely eclipse you in film buddy. Sorry, Mike, but did you see LeBron in Trainwreck with Amy Schumer? He wasn’t half bad.
But then again, that shouldn’t be surprising, LeBron James has played every role well — he’s been the villain, the hero, the crybaby, the traitor, the loser, the champion, the savior and yes, one day, whether you like it or not, he will categorically be the best.
