Lebron James is arguably one of the most popular and influential athletes in the world. James entered the league in 2004 and has been the face of the league in the last decade. He has surpassed almost all the NBA greats in minutes played, playoff points scored, and other general records. Lebron is simply the most durable athlete in the history of basketball. He has been performing at the highest level and has made the NBA finals 10 times and has won 4 championships with 3 different franchises. He has also won two regular-season MVPs and two Finals – MVP to add to his claim as the greatest of all time. While Lebron has several reasons to back his claim as the greatest, several critics and analysts have varying takes regarding who the best player in the league is.
Basketball players who are better than LeBron James
While Lebron James has been playing at a high level his whole career, He has not always sat on the throne as the greatest player of all time throughout his career. There have been several instances in his own legacy where he has failed and underperformed, during moments when his team needed him the most. He has also been completely dominated by a superior team in the finals and has made it a non-competitive series. There are 3 players currently in the league, whose potential and trajectory of growth in recent years indicate that one of them will rise to the throne very soon.
Each basketball player is innately different in his\her strengths and weaknesses. The three players who have claims to the throne as the best player in the league all have flaws in their game. However, even the king has some of the most damning and embarrassing flaws to his game that we the spectators chose to ignore. The players are mentioned below and the comparison to Lebron is purely opinion-based and subject to interpretation
1. Kevin Durant is a more complete package than LeBron James
Kevin Durant, KD, or the slim reaper is simply the greatest scorer of basketball in the modern generation. KD has drawn admiration and praise from the league as the hardest player to guard. This is because of his innate shooting ability despite being 6’11 with a long lean physique. Kevin Durant has a more complete package as a basketball player when compared to the King.
Durant shoots the mid-range shot better than Lebron, the three-pointer, and his dribbling and handling skills are better than the King’s despite Durants bigger frame. Durant has not lost in a single playoff series to the King since 2012, which was 8 years ago. Due to this reasoning, one can conclude Durant could be better than Lebron James.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo or the Greek freak is a new force that has entered the league in recent years. He is simply one of the most dominant scorers in the paint we have ever seen. One of the greatest centers and forces in the league, Shaquille-o- Neil decided that The Greek freak is the only one in the league who deserves the title of superman after Shaq. Standing at 6’11 with an unreal motor and skillset, Giannis has put the entire league on notice winning back-to-back regular-season MVPs in 2019 and 2020. At only 26 years of age, the two-time MVP is projected to be a dominant force in the Eastern Conference with the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Greek Freak scores more points than Lebron and completely dominates in terms of rebounds and defense. He also won the DPOY award in 2019 along with his MVP award putting him in the conversation with Jordan and Olajuwon as the only players to have won both awards in the same season. This proves that Giannis is extremely committed on both sides of the floor. This is something that all superstars including the King are accused of doing.
3. James Harden might just be the better “James” in NBA right now
If You have reached the end of this list you are probably rolling your eyes already but bear patience. James Harden is simply the most offensively skilled player in the history of basketball. Harden has led the league in scoring and assists for multiple years. This was especially during his tenure with the Houston Rockets. Harden and the Rockets were the only teams capable of challenging the golden state dynasty. To put things in perspective Harden and the Rockets took the warriors to a game 7. The Warriors won and moved on to Eliminate Lebron in 5 games that postseason. Harden is a better passer, has better handles can shoot the ball better, and is a better free-throw shooter than Lebron.
In the event that either Giannis or Harden and KD win multiple championships over the next few years, they will be considered seriously for the Goat Debate. However, the existence right now ensures that Lebron James is not the best player in the league today.
Kawhi Leonard and Steph Curry are two other notable players with valid claims to being the best player in the league today.
Also Read: When LeBron James’ Mother was Rumored to be Dating Delonte West from Cleveland Cavaliers
