Is he the greatest? Does he have the potential? Can we even compare yet? Does he need a title to prove himself?
Could be, Yes, No, Yes.
LeBron James is the most gifted player in the NBA at the moment and there is no debate about that at this instant; however he is not yet the greatest ever. Does he have the potential to be? Sure, but until he has one of those shiny NBA Finals rings on his hand then we cannot compare him. Michael Jordan who in the mind of most right now is the best player to have ever touched the hardwood led the Bulls to seven titles. LeBron in my opinion has more raw talent, but does he have the leadership, can he bring the Cavs all the way? He has led them to five straight playoff appearances and even to the finals in 2007 against the Spurs but never has he hoisted the gold in the air. It is clear that to be considered the best he has to win it all, not seven times (even though who wouldn’t want so many championship rings that you need two hands for them), but he has to prove that he is not only great but a leader.
All of this makes his free agency this summer much more appealing because if he wants to win it all odds are he has to leave. The Cleveland Cavaliers have got to be “a superior team” to win it all and not “a high-quality LeBron and four other guys”, yet at the same time it would really be incredible to see the kid who grew up 40 miles from Cleveland lead a city in crisis to a level of satisfaction that would never be forgotten. He may perhaps have a better chance in a place such as Chicago with Derrick Rose and the newly improved Joakim “Caveman” Noah because we all know LeBron’s addition to that team would entirely turn around their .500 record of the past two seasons. In LeBron’s years with the Cavs they have had the opportunities and these past two seasons they have been the favorites out of the East but seem to not be able to cope with the demands of the playoffs.
To me, it does not seem like the Cavaliers will be able to win it all anytime soon just because of their failed chances. For LeBron’s own sake, I say he should leave Cleveland and get his deserved title. However it would be even more impressive if he is able to get that title in the company of an organization with which he started a renaissance. LeBron has to decide whether to think just about his own legacy or to do it for his hometown team. If he is to choose the second option I will respect him even more, however nothing will be lost if he leaves. It is completely understandable. Cleveland fans don’t need to get mad (even though the franchise would not be special anymore and even though a youtube classic states that “their economy is based on LeBron James”, which is true http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzgAjjuqZM), they have to understand that this is “The Chosen One”, and he has it all, he has all the tools to be the greatest in the near future and if he feels like Cleveland is not the place he can fulfill his legacy then so be it.
The bottom line is that until he wins a title he has not achieved his full potential and cannot be compared to MJ.
NV
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