Lebron’s Legacy

Story posted February 9, 2023 in CommRadio, Sports by Commradio Staff

Tuesday night, Lebron James passed Kareem Abdul Jabbar to become the all time leading scorer in NBA History. James broke the record with 10 seconds left in the third on a jumper from the elbow. The kid from Akron scored 38 in a losing effort to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

With another accolade under his belt, the debate is only gaining more steam. Who is the greatest basketball player of all time?

Michael Jordan is still the Goat

Don’t be mistaken, this isn’t Lionel Messi winning the World Cup in December. After the World Cup, the goat debate in soccer was seemingly decided and Messi was crowned the best to ever play the game.

However, the scoring record isn’t as prestigious. A big reason James was able to break this so-called unbreakable record was because of his longevity. This was James’ 19th season,while Micahel  Jordan only played 15 seasons.

Despite breaking the all-time scoring record, Michel Jordan still has the record for averaging 30.1 points per game.  The so-called King is fifth all time averaging 27.2 points per game.

However, James isn’t just a scorer, he is also fourth all time in assists. It’s hard to deny how good of a player Lebron James is. He is more skilled than Jordan, and a more well rounded player. However, James can do nothing to overtake Jordan in the goat debate.

What separates Jordan and Lebron, is Jordan’s impact on the game. He is a brand and changed the sport forever. Jordan personified winning. M.J. went 6-0 in NBA championships games. While Lebron is 4-6 in his final appearances.

Tuesday night was truly historic, but did nothing to change Lebron’s legacy. James might be better, but Jordan is the greatest of all time.

LeBron James is Officially the Goat

LeBron James breaking the NBA’s all time scoring record cements him as the greatest basketball player of all time. Many people thought this record would never be broken, and many people don’t view LeBron as an elite scorer. The fact that a player who isn’t regarded as an elite scorer broke a seemingly unbreakable record makes it all the more impressive.

Aside from now being the NBA’s all time leading scorer, LeBron is fourth all time in assists with 10,354 and also has 10,583 career rebounds. This makes him the only player in NBA history to reach 30,000+ points, 10,000+ assists and 10,000+ rebounds, and indisputably establishes him as the best all around player to play the game.

Despite trailing Jordan’s average points per game by 2.9, LeBron leads Jordan in assists per game (7.3 to 5.3) and rebounds per game (7.5 to 6.2). Due to LeBron’s do it all playstyle, he trails Jordan by a basket a game because he passed and rebounded better and more often than Jordan.

Lastly, the debate of Jordan’s six championships and 6-0 record in championships to LeBron’s four championships and 4-6 record in championships is misinterpreted. While LeBron has won two less championships than Jordan, he has reached the finals four more times than him.

Aside from winning the NBA Finals, making the NBA Finals is the hardest thing to do in sports. So, are we really going to hold it over LeBron for not having a perfect finals record like Jordan? Do people think it would have been better for LeBron to be eliminated earlier than the finals the other six times to preserve his perfect finals record? I certainly don’t.

Also, if the number of championships determines who is the better player, shouldn’t Bill Russell, who has an NBA record 11 championships, be considered the goat?

The King’s historic, unthinkable accomplishment Tuesday night only added to a legacy that should have already been considered the greatest of all time.

Aidan Torok is a third-year majoring in telecommunications and minoring in broadcast journalism and political science. To contact him, email ajt6051@psu.edu. 

Jonathan Hartley is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jdh6293@psu.edu.